by Barbara | Apr 1, 2017 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Techniques, Tutorials
Remember all those polymer clay flowers I made last week? Were you wondering what I would make with them? I had several ideas in mind, but bead embroidery was the technique I chose. Until now, I’ve employed the usual components…seed beads, of course, plus...
by Barbara | Mar 18, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay
I’ll admit that I love fashion. Although my wardrobe is composed primarily of black and neutrals, I enjoy perusing the wildly avant-garde pieces in fashion magazines. I live in the country where blue jeans are “de rigueur” attire for most, but not...
by Barbara | Feb 3, 2017 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Beaded Beads, Beading, Beads and Materials, Components, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tools, Tutorials
I’m running low so it’s time to make more components for the “Tibetan Inspired Beaded Rope Necklace” Kit. This entails creating more polymer faux amber, coral, and turquoise beads and sterling silver heart charms. The photos show the final...
by Barbara | Dec 28, 2016 | An Aside, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Techniques, Tools
I made the beads several weeks ago, but couldn’t post what I did with them until after Xmas because they were used as components in these gifts for my husband. He likes to cook and one of his favorite things to make is red sauce so I know he will really enjoy...
by Barbara | Dec 17, 2016 | An Aside, Beads and Materials, Components, Handmade, Materials and Supplies, Polymer Clay
In the photo below, I’ve shown these polymer clay beads in their “raw” state prior to being baked. Although colors always seem to darken a bit after baking, some are still far more vivid than I want for a project I have in mind. The photo...
by Barbara | Dec 12, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay
I needed some immediate gratification and polymer clay always delivers! These colorful beads are part of a bigger plan. After they are baked, I plan to add acrylic paint to certain areas, which will add more interest, tone down the brightness of the colors, and play...
by Barbara | Dec 9, 2016 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, Polymer Clay, Techniques
I’ve just been notified that my “Coral Reef” bangle is a bronze medal winner in the Fire Mountain Gems 2016 Creative Clays contest! Woohoo! I’ve been awarded a $100 gift certificate toward more jewelry-making goodies…my lucky day! The...
by Barbara | Sep 23, 2016 | An Aside, At the Bench, Equipment, Handmade, Polymer Clay
It was on my birthday list and my wonderful husband gifted me with this nifty piece of equipment! This manually operated machine is called the “NEVERknead™” and it is extremely efficient! Anyone who has ever worked with polymer clay knows how important it...
by Barbara | Aug 26, 2016 | An Aside, Beads and Materials, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Polymer Clay, Resin, Tutorials
I didn’t have a spare moment to bead, do metalwork, or anything else remotely creative. We have company coming for the weekend so there was menu planning, grocery shopping, and getting the guest room ready. At the same time, a slew of orders came in for beading...
by Barbara | Jun 19, 2016 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beading, Beads and Materials, Bracelets, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Delica beads, Designer Patterns, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Polymer Clay, Resin, Seed Beads, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tutorials
It’s been a long time since I’ve worked with resin, but I have a renewed interest in playing with this medium after taking a class from Susan Lenart Kazmer at the 2016 Bead&Button Show in Milwaukee. I have my workspace all set up and I’m ready to make more...
