Monday, March 26, 2012

Back to Polymer Clay!

I was very busy in the run up to Mother's Day teaching the children at my local pre-school to make beads out of polymer clay.  I was amazed at how quickly they all picked it up and it really was lovely to see how much they all enjoyed making the beads.  There were so many proud faces when I gave them back their 'cooked' beads.  Also my own little boy was very happy to share Mum with his friends and tell them I make beads.  My very own little advertiser! 

We used the beads to make each Mum a special necklace for Mother's Day.  Here are just a few .....


I must say a big thank you to the lovely ladies at pre-school for helping us make the beads.  We helped 40+ children to make the beads and necklaces and thank you for the lovely 'thank you' card!

Chris Pellows wrote a very interesting blog called I am not Creative! (Please have a read she is brilliant blogger).  Chris wrote about how she believes that everyone is born creative and I have to say I completely support this theory too.  I think if you look at the beads in the picture above and the beads I posted in my first ever blog post (Teaching Polymer Clay.) you can't help but agree.  Every bead made by the children was an individual piece of art and I am very proud to be a part of this.

I would have to say that my main craft is lampwork beads but I do like to dabble in polymer clay.  It was my sister who introduced me to FIMO when we were children.  She used to make little animals that were dotted all around the house and made me a beautiful butterfly keyring one year for my birthday.  I still have it tucked away nice and safe in my jewellery box.

I used to try and make jewellery but didn't have a clue how to make anything 'interesting'.  Also I couldn't for the life of me get my beads round.  It used to drive me crazy.  It wasn't until my husband and I met Penny Vingoe (Clayaround) at a trade fair that my interest was re-kindled.  She showed us how to make a simple cane out of clay and that was it!  We came away with quite a few packets of clay in lots of colours, a few cutters, rollers and many more goodies.  We spent the weekend sat at the dining room table making canes and pendants for our daughter.  It was good fun!

Since then I have discovered a whole new world of beads, polymer clay beads, and some amazing clay artists.  I have briefly mentioned Chris Pellows (Chris Pellow Designs) who makes really beautiful beads.  It is worth checking out her shop and following her blog.  She is a really inspirational writer and I love reading all her new blogs. 

I have to mention Cara Jane Polymer ClayI am in total awe of her work.  She makes the most beautiful beads and jewellery and has a wealth of advice/tutorials and links on her website.  Cara Jane was the first polymer clay artist I started following and I have learnt so much.   If you follow the link you are sure to be as addicted as I am.

Finally, I had a go at following a tutorial on the internet by another clever polymer clay lady called Missi Claus on You Tube.  She shows you step by step how to make flower canes, bracelets, millifiori canes and is definitely worth a visit.  Here is my version of her bracelet ....

I have quite a bit of work to do but I really did enjoy making this and am going to have a go at making many many more.....

Sarah xx



Monday, March 19, 2012

Etsy Treasury Lists.

I quite enjoy making treasury lists on Etsy but haven't had the time lately.  This is a shame really because it is a lovely way to recognise other people's work.  For me, I usually stumble upon an idea or theme whilst I am browsing through the shops and have added an item to my 'favourite' list.  I then look for items of a similar theme that compliment one another.  It really is addictive and good fun too.  I have found some great items this way and if you publish your lists like I am here, you are also helping to promote your fellow artists on Etsy.  Spread the Love!

'The Continuing Voyages of the Starship Beadscrumptious...' by Beadscrumptious

A celebration of space for all ages.....

ON HOLD Cute Monste...

$30.00
Infrared Eagle Nebu...

$15.00
PATTERN Toy Story A...

$3.99
Galactic Storm Gala...

$45.00
Galaxy Cosmic Print...

$150.00
Steampunk Necklace ...

$68.00
The Mobile Solar Sy...

$82.50
hanging out ...

$25.00
Rocket Ship, Space ...

$35.00
Surlyardis in Space...

$22.00
cosmic galaxy nebul...

$18.00
Martian baby boots ...

$24.00

It is also a great compliment to be included in someone's treasury....

'I love the rain!' by strangebloomdesigns

Lots of beautiful things inspired by love and rain.

Calypso....handmade...

$60.00
SALE Oceanic Batik ...

$7.00
FELTED bowl, 'H...

$14.00
Raindrops (Retro Il...

$20.00
Sweet heart dish wi...

$23.00
Stag printed mixed ...

$25.00
The Potential Diffe...

$40.00
handmade mr fox bro...

$15.00
Ansel Adams First E...

$94.00
Camera 1950s German...

$25.00
Vintage Mid-Century...

$34.00
Blue Cufflinks - Fu...

$30.00
Fat pig surreal col...

$40.00
UMBRELLA Brooch / L...

$15.00
Large Rainbow Rain ...

$20.00
Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

To see more treasury lists I have created please click here to view the list.

Sarah xx

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Busy, Busy, Busy .....

It has been a busy week this week.  I have been working on a few commissions, teaching pre-school children to make polymer clay beads and fighting a nasty cold that I don't seem to be able to shake off.







I have also been struggling with a million and one ideas trying to whizz-pop around in my cold ingested head.  The trouble is that most of my ideas have been happening at the torch whilst I am trying to make my commissions.  My mind is hyjacked by all these ideas and I end up not being able to concentrate on the bead I am actually making!

I've been trying to think of strategies to help the situation ....  I have my trusty notepad on the desk next to my kiln.  Every time I get an idea I can scribble it down on the pad to try and empty the thought from my head (temporarily at least...).  My next strategy was to alternate making a commission bead with an 'idea' bead.  So far this seems to be working!

I think this is why I find commissions difficult.  Usually when I am making beads my mind is free - almost like meditating I suppose - and I let my ideas flow.  If I am making something specific, the ideas are still whizzing through my mind but are stopped and I end up with a creative blockage in my brain.  This causes me to lose focus on the beads I am trying to make.  I used to think artists were quite pretentious when I heard them talk about similar things but I am beginning to understand it more and more.
 
Anyway....

 What are these ideas whizzing through my mind?

What else have I been working on this week?

I have swirls on the brain! 

The idea behind this bead is quite nice really.  It is part of a commission.  I have been asked to make three special european large hole beads (like pandora/troll) to represent my customer's husband, son and daughter.  Her daughter is quite outgoing, girly and has a mass of beautiful swirly curly hair.  Hence the swirls ..... I have yet to make the other beads ..... a new blog post I think later in the week!

Here is an example of how my mind works ..... This led me on to making more swirly beads.  This time with an internal swirl.  I am going to make more of these beads in lots of different colour combinations.  I think there are a lot of possibilities with these .... and I liked making them!



I have decided to call these my Cafe Creme beads and they will soon be appearing in my Shop on Etsy.

Finally .... It's that time of year when all the daffodils start popping out in my garden.  It has taken me a long time to appreciate the daffodil.  I used to absolutely detest them.  Wierd really because now I look forward to them filling patches of my garden with their happy yellow trumpets.  But that is another blog..... here is what I made ....



My little flowers don't look anything like a daffodil I know! But, this is something I am working on ..... I still want to progress my floral beads further by using canes to make the stamens and I think I need to master that first.  I was hoping to start that this week but I need to have a clear head to concentrate on these beads.

Sarah xx

Thursday, March 1, 2012

I'm a Featured Lampwork Artist!

HOORAY! HOORAY!

It is a very exciting day today ..... well whole month really because I have been chosen to be the ..... 

Lampwork Glass Beads Team Featured Lampwork Glass Bead Artist for the Month for March 2012.



I am very excited! I have the spent the first hour of the day tweeting, facebooking and now blogging my very exciting news.  For those of you that recieve all of these you will have probably guessed by now that I am very excited......hee heee heee ....

The Lampwork Glass Bead Team is a group on Etsy for people who make, love and like to create with Lampwork Glass Beads. Their Team Tag is Lampwork GBT, here is a link if you would like to join ..

Etsy is a fantastic community to be involved in where fellow artists are very supportive of one another.  It is also a great place to buy HANDMADE presents for friends, family and yourself!

Lastly before I go .... the very lovely


have also made a very flattering treasury list of some of the items from my shop.....


Sarah xx
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