Thursday, July 29, 2010

What is your favorite color combination?

What are your favorites? Your least favorites? What combination surprised you when you tried it?


I love purple and teal together... think my avvy shows that :lol:

HaffinaCreations


Gold, turquoise and purple work really well together too in mod type stuff. I was really surprised by this one, and when you smoosh them all together you get this really cool bronzy colour.



I also really like how orange, fuschia, purple and pearl work together, I didn't think they would, my daughter picked out some colours and told me to make something. They ended up gorgeous and are the basis of the Ebony Collection in BeadsByHaffina.



I don't really have any combinations I don't like ...yet, although Im a bit doubtful about the purple, green, yellow and white beads sitting on my table currently :lol:

Saturday, July 24, 2010

DIY Supplies

For handmade beads, buttons, cabochons, clasps and pendants BeadsByHaffina has everything you need.









Visit BeadsByHaffina.artfire.com

Monday, July 12, 2010

12 Days of Christmas in July Sale!


Enter coupon code TOOHOT72010 at checkout to receive 20% off all items at ValeriesStuff.artfire.com


Everything is 10% off at JanetSaw.artfire.com


20% off shop wide at tooaquarius.artfire.com


Free Shipping on all jewelry items at Gingerbells.artfire.com


Use the coupon code CHRISTMAS IN JULY at the checkout for 25% off all jewelry items at 2goodclaymates.artfire.com If you purchase 3 jewelry items, you will get a fourth piece (of equal or less value) for free at 2goodclaymates.



Use coupon code 15PERCENTOFF for 15% off entire order at at EmilyClaireCreations.artfire.com

Many more of the Polymer Clay Smooshers are participating in ArtFire's 12 days of Christmas in July sale. See PCSG Studios in the side column of this blog for a list of our shops.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Favorite Tool: toothpicks

Some of my favorite tools are simple toothpicks and kebab skewers.



I can use them to texturize something, to pick up little pieces of clay and put them in the right spot, to make bead holes, to press down edges. They are cheap, re-usable and sometimes you can even use them in a project.
There is no clay play session without my toothpicks.





Visit CatsWire.artfire.com

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Favorite Technique: Teasing for Texture

One technique that I use often to make a texture for miniature cake slices is the teasing technique with a pin or sharp metal skewer. I take the sharp pin and make swirling motions on the side of my cake, and this makes the crumbly texture. Poking holes in the clay won't work, only circular motions with the sharp pin will make it look good. Once I've done all sides, I bake the clay before decorating.

Here are some miniature cakes and tarts where I've used the teasing:








Visit JanetSaw.artfire.com

Sunday, July 4, 2010

DIY Sunday: Double-sided Textured Beads

Learn how to make beautiful shiny beads that are textured on both sides and are perfectly seamless, with no sanding involved. No sanding! How cool is that!


Tutorial - Double-sided Textured Beads by 2goodclaymates

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Introducing JanetSaw



What got you interested in polymer clay as a medium?
I really had nothing to do, and found polymer clay after looking at a few beads that someone was selling. I originally wanted to make glass beads, but I couldn't get all the equipment for it. So I headed down to my local craft store, and they had clay! Bought a few packs, made some terrible looking beads, but it definitely wasn't boring. I made more beads after searching for tutorials online. I also came across photos of miniature food and was curious whether I could really make some myself. Oh boy, did I get hooked on that. And so, here I am, making miniature food and turning them into jewellery and accessories!

Of everything you have created which is your favorite?
I will have to say that I really like my glittery purple cupcake, because it's purple and other people seem to like it too! I now use a photo of it as my avatar.



What do you prefer to make out of polymer clay and why?
Before I started being more confident with fruit canes, I would have said anything besides making canes. Now, I think it's the most rewarding thing I can make. I spend almost 3 hours making one cane, but the outcome usually satisfies me and I can use those cane slices to decorate my other creations. I don't do this every day, so I think that's why it is exciting when I decide to make a new fruit cane!

How do you decide what to make?
I have a few ways to make my decision. One, I take a look at my inventory on ArtFire/Etsy, and see what is missing and think of what I'd like to include next. Two, I have a look at recipe books, but usually this doesn't work out, as I can't make a decision on which recipe to make! Three, if I have new fruits that I haven't used, I will try to come up with ways to put them in my foods.

Is there something you wish you could make in clay that you have not yet?
Quite a number of members have used alcohol inks and liquid clay to make gorgeous beads. I don't even know how they did it and I wouldn't have the patience for that. Perhaps one day, I could learn their techniques too. I also would like to make those big-hole beads with metal cores. I think they are really fabulous for bracelets.

What makes polymer clay a better fit for your products than other mediums?
Polymer clay allows me to make miniature foods with a lot of realism, and I don't have to worry about the clay drying up while I work. Baking to harden is a brilliant invention. With polymer clay, I can make creams and icings with ease, and keep them in jars for when I need them. I can sculpt textures into my cakes and tarts, and even paint clay with soft pastels! It's so versatile.

What is your best advice for someone starting out in polymer clay?
I can only give some advice for miniature food, and I would say that you really need a bunch of equipment such as shape cutters, pin/needle, brushes, varnish, soft pastels, and glass microbeads. You need these to make your food look good enough to eat! Take a look at other artists' work when you start off, because you can learn a lot by just looking at their finished items. Of course, every now and then, read real tutorials and get some miniature food books -- they come in handy when you need to look up a technique.


Visit JanetSaw.artfire.com