Polymer Clay Challenge : May 2013

 

 

I have been playing it quite safe with these polymer challenges so far mainly because I haven't had the time to make anything too extravagant.  That doesn't mean the ideas aren't there.  Believe me I have loads of beads/ideas I want to make but unfortunately I just don't have the time.  I do record everything in my sketchbook so the ideas don't get forgotton. 

 

I have made beads like these before and I liked the colour combinations so much that I wanted to have another go at making them.  Now, whilst making these beads I realised that not only do I need to record my ideas for designs I also need to record exactly how I make them.  You are probably thinking, "Isn't that what your sketchbook is for?" .... well, yes and no.  I initially draw the designs, colour combinations and inspiration for the beads but usually when taking a piece of work from a sketch book into reality you change a few things here and there.  It is those little changes that I don't record.  I also become easily sidetracked into making other things along the way ..... I don't record those either ..... grrrrrr 

 

 

 

I need to make more time to make flower canes as well.  I really enjoy making them, it is quite therapeutic you know! I want to develop the shape of the petals a bit more and add some depth to the flowers.  Lots to work on .... just need the time ......

 

 

I used the beads to make a very long necklace and matching bracelet.  I combined the polymer clay beads with my handmade lampwork glass beads and separated these with heamatite seed beads. These were all connected to a black chain, combined with a string of blue sparkly seed beads and blue silken thread.  

 

I am using all my polymer clay beads to make an affordable jewellery range for when I attend craft fairs and jewellery parties.  I am really enjoying making them all too because I can sit and make jewellery with my family whilst they are watching a film.  I do lose a few beads here and there when my children decide they want to have a go making an item of jewellery .... but what can you do?

Sarah xx
www.beadscrumptious.co.uk
www.hypersmash.com  



Polymer Clay Challenge - April 2013

 

This month I decided to submit these beads for my polymer clay challenge.  I am always making round beads and decided that I would have a change.  I didn't realise how difficult it would be trying to get them all the same size.  I thought I would be clever and use the same amount of clay for each bead which was sensible and works for round beads.  The problem came when I tried to shape them.  On reflection I could have made my life a lot easier if I had of used a bead press but sometimes when you are overcome by creativity you don't have time to order and then wait for the postman to deliver essential items.  Still, I have learnt a lesson for next time!

 

 

 

So, what did I create with these beads?  Perhaps I should have written that before the photograph .... oh well!  Yes, I made a necklace.  I have been making lots of necklaces lately using my polymer clay and lampwork beads.  I used plain turquoise lampwork beads because the polymer clay beads were so brightly coloured and vibrant I needed a contrast.  I choose turquoise as an accent colour to pick up the swirls of turquoise within the polymer beads.  I separated my beads using bright pink and I mean bright PINK seed beads.  I am having my very own seed bead revolution at the moment and I have been using them for everything!  However, they are incredibly fiddly, half of them end up on the floor or up the hoover so I am not sure how long this obsession will last.

 

I found these metallic flowers at a bead fair and they make brilliant connector/focal beads.  I like to hang a cluster of dangles from the bottom of the necklace for a bit of interest and just because I like it when they all jingle together.

 

 





 

The beads were very simple to make but the effect is very striking.  I am definitely going to make some more of these for myself in lots of different colours.....but using a bead press.....

Sarah xx
www.beadscrumptious.co.uk
www.hypersmash.com

Polymer Clay Challenge : March 2013

I thought this month I would give myself a challenge within a challenge.  I wanted to make a set of polymer clay beads that I could easily combine with my lampwork beads to make a desirable piece of jewellery.  I set myself these challenges for a number of reasons.  I need to keep my work fresh, dynamic and it inspires new ideas.

 

I made these beads using green, yellow and a tiny amount of blue Premo Sculpey.  I combined the two colours and made a giant sausage.  I cut the sausage into portions and rolled each one into a round ball.  Next, I placed each ball individually under a perspex sheet and moved the sheet in a circular motion around on top of the bead (pushing down lightly each time).  This motion eventually gives you a lentil shaped bead and at the same time creates the swirls you can see on the surface of my beads.    

 

These are all the items I started with.  My five polymer clay beads, olive and green seed beads, green tigertail, two flower lampwork beads, four emerald clear glass beads and four lime coloured lampwork beads.  All of the lampwork beads were handmade by me.

 

I placed all of the materials on a white tile that I use to make my polymer clay beads and had a good look, think, ponder, peruse and head scratch (always good for thinking).  I don't have a bead mat to create designs on (sometimes I wish I did when I lose beads rolling across the table) but to be honest I get along ok without one. 

 

 

 

There probably are rules about how you go about designing and making jewellery but I always start with the central bead or central focus of the necklace.  For instance, in this design I chose the largest polymer clay bead as my central focus and built the necklace from this point. 

 

I decided to use two strands of tigertail and used the seed beads to create an interesting weave effect in between the larger beads.  So, I placed both strands through my central bead and a dark green seed bead.  I then placed an olive green seed bead onto one of the strands (leaving one strand empty) and took both strands through a dark green seed bead.  I repeated this throughout the necklace as shown in the photograph.  This also gives an element of rigidity to the tigertail and keeps all of the larger beads in place. 

 

 

 

I finished the necklace by threading both strands of tigertail through a selection of seed beads until I had the desired length.  Finally I added a lobster clasp and the necklace was complete.  Next time I make one I will try to include a step by step visual guide. 

 

 

Here is the finished necklace which is now living with a very lovely artist in the South West of England.  She makes beautiful handcrafted signs and next time I see her I will ask her if she has a website and I will include her link here .....

 

 

Sarah xx

www.beadscrumptious.co.uk

www.hypersmash.com



Polymer Clay Challenge : February!

This year I decided to start a new polymer clay challenge as I failed so miserably to keep up with the 52 Earrings in a Year Challenge! So I am taking part in Elvira Kricks - 12 Polymer Projects in a Year.

Last month I made some black and white flowers.  I am eventually going to use them to make some jewellery but all of a sudden everything has gone manic and there just aren't enough hours in the day.  I cannot keep up with all my ideas/current work ..... everything .... which I might add is very frustrating!  I have lists of lists .... arghhhhhh!

Anyway, enough of that .... this month I decided to work my way through my box of un-finished polymer clay beads and finally get around to completing at least one piece of work.

I found these beads in the box.  They needed to be sanded and polished and I thought that this could kind of qualify for the challenge?  They weren't finished after all? 

 

So where did the inspiration for these beads come from?  Well, I wrote a tutorial last year called - Marvel Inspired Beads.  My son had left one of his comics lying around and this inspired me to make a set of beads using black, white and red polymer clay.  I liked the effect and wondered what the beads would like using different colours.  Sometimes, even though you are using the same tutorial you can end up with a very different result just by making a few alterations ... for instance colour!  In this instance the effect is very similar but has definitely sparked a few alterations for next time ......

 

Sarah xx

www.beadscrumptious.co.uk

www.hypersmash.com

 

Polymer Clay Challenge!

This year I decided to start a new polymer clay challenge as I failed so miserably to keep up with the 52 Earrings in a Year Challenge!  So I am taking part in Elvira Kricks - 12 Polymer Projects in a Year.  I think I should be able to stick to this one.  It was a shame I couldn't keep up the earring challenge because I was learning so much about polymer clay with every pair I made and I was really enjoying thinking of new idea each week ..... although most of the time the ideas came from my trips out with my family ..... but there we are!
 

 

 

The idea for this flower came from a couple of scribbles in my sketch book.  It all happens in my sketch book! I made some sunflower earrings last year as part of the earring challenge and ever since I have wanted to try some different flowers.  I limited myself to two colours ... black and white and made a very simple flower petal cane.  I didn't take any photographs .... sorry ... I was too absorbed making the petals. 

 

 

I used all the off-cuts to make a disc shaped base to rest my flower petals on as I constructed my flower.  I have noticed as the flowers in my garden (and bought flowers) die their petals start to curl up at the ends.  I quite like this, so I thought I would try this with my flower petals to see what happened.   

 

 

I wanted to take this a little bit further with the next flower I made, so I added two rows of petals on top of each other.  I really like this effect!  



 

 

So happy was I with all the petals curling that I took this another step forward and went for maximum curl ... this is my favourite flower.

 

I haven't finished yet.  I am going to make some more flowers and use them to make a very striking piece of jewellery.  I will save the result for another blog post as I haven't finished making all the component parts yet!

 

I was not alone when I made these flowers.  I had three very eager children watching and desperate to make their own flowers.  So, I chopped off some slices of my flower cane and let them have a go at making a flower too.  Here are their results .....

 



 

I think they look fantastic, but then I would because I am their Mum!  They look like a pen and ink drawing, very striking and artistic.  When they are not looking .... I am going to place them on some white textured paper, add a black mount and frame them in a black box frame.  Unfortunately, they all want to take them to school to show their class and I am not sure if they will survive the journey .... we will see!

 

 

This is my first entry in the challenge!  Hooray!

 

 

Sarah xx

 

www.beadscrumptious.co.uk

www.hypersmash.com