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

How to wear my lampwork beads!

A very lovely friend of mine suggested that I write a blog post to give some ideas about how to wear my beads.   So here goes ......

1  Make your own simple jewellery!

My beads have a 2.5mm - 3mm bead hole and will fit very comfortably on a sterling silver curb or snake chain, providing you ensure that the fastenings are not too large.  I find this to be a very versatile way to wear my beads because you can easily change the beads to match what you are wearing each day.

2  Add my beads to your Charm Bracelets.

Every bead I make is a one off limited edition!  Each bead is hand made by me in my studio and no two beads are ever the same.  Inspiration comes from all around me and from refining my designs.

I also make larger holed beads with a 5mm diameter hole that fit very nicely onto some of the european charm bracelets.  You will soon be able to purchase sterling silver bracelets from my shop on Etsy that you can add my beads to and make up your own unique jewellery. 

3  A simple pendant.

My focal beads can very easily be made into very stylish pendants using different coloured ribbons.  All you need to do is thread the focal bead onto the ribbon, tie a knot to secure it, place it around your neck to the required length and tie into a bow.





This also works really well using any of my bead sets.  Changing the colours of the ribbon can dramatically change the look of the finished piece of jewellery.

If you are feeling adventurous you could even add in a few knots between beads or groups of beads .....



There are so many different options!  Without even realising it you will be on your way to designing your own jewellery.

4  Designing your own unique jewellery!

 It really isn't that difficult, honestly! Over the next couple of months I will be writing blog posts to show you (using step by step instructions) how to make your own jewellery.

All of the beads and jewellery featured in this blog can be found in my shop on Etsy ........

Beadscrumptious 

I would love to see any of your creations!

Sarah xx

Week 4 - MonSwirl Earrings!

This week I decided to use the two swirl beads I made last week out of Stroppel Cane as my earrings for Week 4.  I made these beads using a Stroppel Cane.  The idea was invented by a lady called Alice Stroppel. Now, I had no idea this technique even existed until I was taught by Cara Jane during one of her clay days.  Cara told us all about Alice and how this was a great way to use up all of your clay odds and ends.  The effects are fantastic and now I can't stop using it!

The colour combinations I have used here put together within sandwiches of black clay really remind me of a chewed up Mondrian - hence the name of the earrings .... MonSwirl!

I did make a necklace as well this week but not out of the same cane as the earrings.  I have yet to finish that pendant (above).  I decided to use the heart pendant I had made using the same Stroppel Cane as the earrings.  It was Caroline Casswell who taught me how to make heart pendants. 

I started by making an oblong out of some 'left over' pink clay and added very think slices of the cane.  Then I turned this into a pendant.  I was really pleased with the finished result, especially after sanding and buffing.  It really helped to accentuate the colours. 

I added some more cane to a flat sheet of pink clay and put it through the thickest setting on the pasta machine.  Then I cut out 4 circles.  I was going to leave them as circles, then for a reason unknown to myself, I decided to distort them slightly.....and this was the finished result..

Sarah xx

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