Polymer Clay Bytes! - Tina Holden's Beadcomber

Crackle and Shimmer

2012-01-23T15:28:00.001-08:00

I was going to post yesterday, but we ended up having an incredible hurricane with gusts of more than 100 km/hour winds which did a bit of damage to roofs and properties in our neighbourhood. The storm took us by surprise in how it picked up so quickly and fortunately our damage is minor. I tried to get photos while we were on the beach, but my video camera decided to have a hissy-fit and froze. Maybe it was scared of the storm, because it works again.

I made up necklace with one of my new crackles. First Batik and Shimmer and now Crackle and Shimmer. I made a few variations by combining with other techniques. I then applied resin and sanded the pieces. Not quite sure when I’ll have the tutorial ready, but I’ll announce it here. Right now I’m working on another one.

52 pairs of Earrings a Year

2012-01-21T20:47:00.001-08:00

I am so glad I was alerted to this the 52 pairs of Earrings a Year Challenge on Flickr. As I mentioned in my last post, I need to get back into finding some time for creativity instead of just producing the same things over and over. Earrings are one of the fun things I like to make, so it was natural to join up.

This is my first pair. I wove some Japanese cube beads along with purple triangle beads. I make these little polymer clay flowers which I sell on Etsy.

Is it possible? part 2

2012-01-20T13:53:00.001-08:00

I don’t like Glossy items for some projects and there are times when I want to preserve that Matte natural look that Polymer Clay has after curing. Here is the piece of lighter clay I wanted to share…If you look closely…you can see the channels that the cracks make in the clay. Remember that this clay is just as soft when it comes out of the package.

By now some of you have an inkling of what I did here (I emailed you) and there is one other person I can think of and he probably knows what I’m talking about, lol, but I’d love to hear some guesses… Wanna guess?? Would be so interesting and might spark further experiments…

I’ll play a bit more today and will share with you on Sunday…

Anything is possible…

2012-01-19T20:53:00.001-08:00

Or so the saying goes when one looks positively at things.

I’ve had a lot of things on my mind as you know from my previous post, so haven’t been able to produce or be very creative. But it’s been since November that my muse went on vacation and has left me sitting in my studio with piles of ‘to do’ lists pinned on the board.

I’ve made a few ‘little’ things but nothing substantial and this bothers me. I’m supposed to work on some orders, but you know, I’m tired of making things that I’ve been steadily producing since 2000. That is 12 years! You can say that I’m just bored with it and am procrastinating badly, but what to do when the shops keep asking for the same stuff! because it sells! I want to sit and design something new, something 2012! Maybe something Mayan tribal with an Oceanic flair, lol. …but…mmm….this years trend are layers of chains, roses and flowers…and my muse calls me from overseas and says ‘chuck that thought aside, create your own trends’. Artists are supposed to do this, right? I might use some of that Pantone Tangerine Tango tho and I envision some Coral, Carnelian with hints of Rose quartz and Tiger eye…but I digress from what I really want to tell you!

So, this afternoon I sat playing with some surface treatments as I’m also supposed to work on some buttons and while this clay sheet is a little dark, I think I’ll be able to reproduce this with a lighter colour. I had a scrap piece of green clay with copper and gold flecks in it, rolled out flat, sitting in front of me at my desk. As I stared at it, and it, at me in return…the question popped into my mind “Is it possible?…”

Is it possible to create a crackle on uncured clay without the use of metal leafing? without a 2 part crackle medium? without heating the clay and causing it to crack? without Future Floor polish which takes so long to dry?? mmm…

YES! it is!

…this is the result. I’ll share more soon…

Lend me an ear?

2012-01-10T19:12:00.001-08:00

You don’t know what you have…
...until it's gone.
I've never been vocal about my illness as it is such a private thing, but right now I can hardly contain myself that I feel I need to blurt this out, somehow, somewhere... I'm not sure if it's right to use a blog, or to write to a yahoo group, or on Facebook, but what the heck, I am so ‘up there in the clouds right now’...I'll tell you my story.
In the late 90's or early 2000, I don't even remember unless I can ask my Dr. next week, it happened so suddenly. My husband and I were redoing the front of our Mobile Home. It was only about 10 years old, but the front was affected with black mould and we were tearing it all out to be redone. Just a few hours into the work, despite wearing a mask, my head began to spin, it hurt so bad and I ached all over. I ran a bath to seek relief, but it became worse and that night was taken to emergency and hospitalized. The doctor on call didn't believe it came from the mold as it is a common occurrence on our wet coast, but as a precaution held me overnight. The next day, despite not being able to walk on my own I was sent home where the illness took me down into a spiral that would last for 6 months. I had come down with a Virus that affected my balance center and vision. Later the Doctors would determine I had a virus of the hearing organ and an inflammation in the connection to the brain. They said it wasn't Meniere's (because it normally affects only one ear) but whatever struck me, it caused me to be bed-ridden for more than 2 months and convalescence for another 4 or so. For weeks I was unable to even open my eyes because the world was spinning every second of every day and my eye muscles kept my eyes rolled into my skull. I was unable to walk nor could I control my balance. I actually feared for my life and thought I would die.
I wasn't extremely religious, even though I was raised a Lutheran Protestant who believes in Jesus. I prayed to God to please help me. I wasn't very religious, but and our small town heard about me and sent a Minister to my home with 2 others who blessed me. Not long after I was able to get out of bed and would sit up a few minutes here and there and eventually take more and more steps, but some people were talking in our small town when I would stagger into the grocery store, that I must be suffering from alcoholism. Never assume! lol. I wasn't even on any medication other than something for motion sickness.
It was this virus that would slowly take my hearing. From then on I have lost more than 50 decibels and am continuing to loose on average 10 decibels every 3 years which will mean I'll likely be considered deaf in approximately 15 years. I'm considered moderately or half-deaf right now and although I'm not really one to complain, I wanted to write to some of you who know me, how much joy I'm experiencing right now. Pure and utter joy!
Yes, I'm soooo happy that I can hardly see the keyboard as the words are swimming. (Good thing is I don't need to see as my fingers remember the keys). I can hear!! What a tease this experience is, to remember what it used to be like. Alas, it will be short-lived as I only get to try these digital aides for 2 weeks, but I already don't want to give them back. The difference they make... The first thing I did when I got home is phone my daughter who instantly said "Mom??? I don't have to repeat everything I say!!!! what's going on?!" For years I struggled on the phone in general and in the last couple of years I wouldn't even go near a phone unless I absolutely had to and would make my husband do all the talking for me, or I would have to get out my amplifier and that darn thing just amplifies absolutely everything and would make my ears hurt. Now I realize an amplifier is just NOT like a hearing aide at all. I can still hear some sounds in the normal range, but the rest is just gone. I could no longer hear paper ruffling, leaves falling, birds whistling in the morning, the microwave or oven dinging when done and even the alarm clock wouldn't wake me anymore!!...but at least in person I could still hold a conversation by reading peoples lips, but that wasn't possible on the phone!! How I missed holding a conversation! Some of my friends didn't even know I was hearing impaired and some still didn't until now, but I began to repeat over and over the same words many times in one conversation..."I'm sorry?" "Excuse me?" Do you know how... tired...I... am... of saying these words? of course I feel sorry when something bad happens to someone else, but I'm so tired of having to 'apologize' for my hearing loss. I shouldn't have to apologize everywhere I go! And the hearing loss has turned me into a Hermit. It has turned me anti-social...because I cannot participate in full or I have to pretend I heard what was spoken...it is a lonely world.
My father-in-law, who has age related hearing difficulties, before I even tried this second pair of ears, said that I wouldn't like them. I can't believe he said that and I thought ok...they must not be working then, but when the Clinic offered me to try them before having to purchase them I said "why not!" And oh boy, was my Father-in-law wrong!! Well, my loss isn't age-related either, lol, I'm not that old.
My husband joked that these might become the most expensive pair of Diamond Earrings I could ever imagine owning (not that I own any!!), but I also can't understand why our medical system won't be covering me for these Wires in my ear, not one penny of it and since I don't have any sort of insurance...well, it will be a difficult road to come up with 5 grand for these babies, they might as well be Diamonds. My mother said she'd love to help me out, but doesn't have that kind of money and I was raised to never purchase something that I don't have the money for. I'm tempted to put them on my Visa like the Clinic says I can do, but what if I can't make the payment? Will a guy come to my house and tear them out of my ears and repossess them? LOL, the thought!!
I now regret having gone for the trial...I shouldn't have tried them unless having the money first, but I thought that my Father-in-law would be right as he doesn't like his. Too bad he can't just give me the one he has! but it doesn't work that way. And I wrongly assumed that Medical would cover me because of an illness and a medical ailment. Our Canadian healthcare is so strange...same with a Wisdom tooth...if you get them pulled at a Dentist then you pay, if done in the Hospital, then Medical pays...If by chance the Ear Doctor says there is a remote chance this is in any way operable...then medical would cover the surgery, so why not a Prosthetic...but then...who is listening? But I thank 'you' personally, for lending me your ears…
If you can, or want to help contribute toward my hearing in any small way, please look on the right for the fundraising activity. Each contribution, even the purchase of a tutorial or supplies from my shop, adds up toward my quest.

A new look for a new year and banner frustrations

2012-01-07T17:07:00.001-08:00

I’ve spent the last week or so redoing my banners for ArtFire and Etsy both of which required different sizes. It’s frustrating when various banners have to be smaller and will as a result either get stretched or cut off. Etsy banners are very small and this Blog and my ArtFire use larger sizes…or so I thought. When I created this one I thought it should fit straight across, but Blogger now uses fewer templates with banners because apparently it makes them easier for those with Mobile phones or gadgets that like to follow blogs. I didn’t like when discovering my banner was cut short here and too small, but finally figured it out.

How did I make this banner?
I don’t have fancy software on my laptop nor on my netbook. I can’t be bothered to learn the Photoshop on my Desktop and the hours I had spent on it wasted a lot of my time because I don’t understand how to make layers work. My husband said “I thought you are a geek!?” Well, I do now a lot of stuff, but obviously not enough.
This banner was created with the basic free Google Picasa photo application. It allows for cropping, red eye, retouching, colour correction and much much more. It also will let you create posters with text and different colour backgrounds. Very basic, but it also has a place where you can click on Picnik where you can further enhance your work.
I made this sunset with a mock set up in my homemade photo tent. Some sand…a calender and some of my beads. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it. I had to raise the sand as I couldn’t crop the background as it’s our Calendar for 2012, lol, so used a lid from a plastic container. I cropped the image, added text and Picnik allowed me add simple layers with the click of an easy button.

How do you like my new banner? I think it represents my name Beadcomber quite well...I did add some Polymer clay bytes into it...

And the Winners are…

2012-01-01T08:41:00.001-08:00

I used the Random Number Generator to draw winners of my “Merry Christmas Giveaway” for the 3 pendants…and the Winners are…

Julie Witt, Barb Alexander and CraftyLinda I’ll be emailing you to get these out to you…

Tina Holden’s Faux Stone Tutorial- Landscape Jasper

2011-12-28T19:11:00.001-08:00

Jasper is often named according to its pattern: landscape jasper, the most popular, offers a small panorama in stone. Often the name Landscape or Picture is interchanged for this type of Jasper. I’ve devised a simple way to recreate it with polymer clay. You only require clay, some chalk, your hands and fingers for this technique. No blade, no machine, not even a roller! This maybe the shortest tutorial I have ever written as well, lol.
Stone examples

Polymer Clay bead

Materials:

Ecru polymer clay
Chalk/Artist soft chalk pastels in beige, rust, brown, dark brown, black

Tools:

Pasta machine or Acrylic Roller (optional)

1) Condition and roll clay on largest setting of pasta machine or use an acrylic roller to roll to about a 1/8” thickness. You can also flatten the clay using your fingers as the objective isn’t a smooth flat sheet, but rough strips of clay. Let it rest a bit or put in the fridge/freezer for a couple of minutes as warm clay doesn’t tear up easily. Tear strips, various widths and sizes.

2) Crumple the pieces up and smoosh them together. Don’t roll smooth, you want the rough edges.

3) Apply the various chalk colours on the outside of the rough pieces. Start with the lightest colour and add darker colours last. Your finger is the paint brush. Don’t worry if your piece has fingerprints, they actually are an added feature here, creating a nice matrix that won’t look like a fingerprint in the finished bead, but more like speckles!

4) Roll or shape your piece flat and again. Again, let rest or put in fridge or freezer to cool. Tear into strips and pieces like before.

5) This time, before assembling and smooshing the pieces together, apply dark brown and black on the rough edges of some strips. Then smoosh together and roll into a ball for a bead, or flatten and smooth for a pendant, or create another shape. Now is the time to smooth away any fingerprints as well, sorry, lol. You may find it helpful to use a dusting of cornstarch on your hands and fingers. Cornstarch clogs up those fine crevices and ridges in your fingers and hands and make the smoothing process easier .

What do you think? Simple, huh?

You can also use other base colours and other chalk colours for this Landscape technique

Merry Christmas! GiveAway

2011-12-22T19:40:00.001-08:00

I’ve been away from my Blog for awhile, for various reasons, but before this year ends I wanted to do a little GiveAway as I’m grateful for and appreciate all my Friends and Fans. I have a Giveway for 3 of my pendants.
Please read…
While you don’t have to do anything other to post a comment to be entered, if you decide to Tweet, Facebook, Share or mention this Giveaway on your Blog, then you get an extra Entry for each one.

I may not have been clear. Leave a comment for an entry, leave another comment with your Tweet link, leave another comment for your Facebooked link, leave another for your blogged link etc. The Random Counter in the end does not recognize your 1 comment as more than 1 entry

Post the links in your comments so I know where to find it. I’ll also need your email (or let me know if its in your Profile) so I can get in touch with you on winning.
Open until Dec 31st…Winners will be notified on New Years! Good Luck!!
First Giveaway…Pendant #1 Red Batik…based on by Batik and Shimmer technique with a Center Lapis Lazuli nugget.

Pendant #2 …Green Ripple, also based on both my Honeycomb and Batik tutorials.

and Pendant #3, which is a purple blue based on my Batik Tutorial. The River Channel is inspired by the lovely Julie Picarello.

Good luck!!

Ornamental Party Rings

2011-11-16T18:54:00.001-08:00

I’ve had a few request for a tutorial on my Rings, so this one has been a while in progress and am happy to say, it’s up!!
Available here
Tutorial is 23 pages, 64 clear steps and 68 photos.
This lesson shows how to create large stylish rings to show off at parties, concerts, dinners or other functions.
Create 3 versions with no molds and no special tools or materials required. All differ in style, some are size adjustable, one has a wide polymer clay band reinforced with wire, a second is size adjustable and a third has a wire band.
Create a shape, then bezel settings for various stone shapes, imbed chain, create faux prongs, rosettes and other embellishments to create a conversation piece. The ring base structure is firmly imbedded into the clay so no glue is necessary between those components.

I've put it on ArtFire and Etsy. Above photo is linked to ArtFire, or visit my Etsy shop in the sidebar for more info.
Here are a few other rings I’ve made in the past…

These ones are a little bit different as I made most of the 'stones' for these rings which is also kind of fun.

Texture mats and stencils for Polymer Clay

2011-10-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Some of my stencils available. The stencils can be used as texture mats for your polymer clay or used as silkscreens.
I'm still having to list some of these while some are already up...which is your favorite?

Paisley #1     3.5 x 4”                                 Art Deco 3.5 x 4”

Celtic Knot #1   2.5 x 3.5”       Astrology #1 2.5 x 2.75”

Kawaii #1     3.5 x 4”                                   Swirl #1    3.5 x 4.5”

Sun #1   1.75" x 1.75”            sun #2    1.75 x 1..75”

Celtic Dog 2 x 2”                    Ancient #1   3.5 x 4”

Petroglyphs #1 3.5x4”      Egyptian Carpet #1

Egyptian Carpet#2         Egyptian Carpet#3

Celtic            Friendship Hand 1.25 x 1.5”      Sun and Moon

Sunburst 3 x 4.5”                                                       Swirl #2    3 x3.5”

Symbols                                    Shells

More beading embellishment…

2011-10-15T22:34:00.001-07:00

Before finishing the previous polymer clay cabochon necklace, I had started this one and finally completed it. It’s a bit more labour intensive to create and figuring out how to assemble and attach the pieces together. I used Turquoise as the complimentary stone. The clasp cabochons were made from the same polymer clay sheet as the focal pendant. Right now I’m working on a matching bracelet and earrings…

Autumn Fire Cabochons

2011-10-12T16:11:00.001-07:00

With the end of a very busy and routine summer, the fiery colours of the Autumn foliage and freshly fallen leaves have renewed my creative energy. These pictures are free wallpaper downloads and pretty much the colours that are showing up here now.

I had posted on Facebook a few of my Fire cabs and asked what colours were favourites right now. Fiery Orange, deep burnt orange, gold, red, chocolate were resounding answers and added to this mix was a gold, purple and turquoise. I used some of these colour combos for some polymer clay cabochons which I covered with resin and will be using for bead embroidery, but I did finish one…and another is almost finished.
Here are some of the cabochons. I’m contemplating listing some of these on Etsy and ArtFire for others who’d like to use them as additions for their own creative use.

I used Japanese Mijuki beads for the embroidery and added smoky quartz and turquoise. The pendant has a couple of watch gears stitched on the bail for an extra interest. This set is spoken for and already in the mail…

Orinendo Shawl Pins

2011-09-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

A few have asked me when I would be doing a Shawl Pin tutorial. What better way to get me to do it when the weatherman is correct in predicting nothing but rain for the week which means I am spending more time indoors again.

Perhaps you are wondering (or maybe not, lol) about the strange name I gave them.
“Orinendo”. Maybe it’s their shape of the clasp or maybe the Geisha-like pins, but the techniques themselves are actually influenced by Asian Artisan methods, Origami and Mokume Gane. Many polymer clayers are familiar with Mokume-Gane which means ‘wood grained – metal’. Some prefer to call the technique Mokume Nendo when applied to polymer clay, as Nendo means clay. Ori-gami means ‘Folding-paper’. So how does this relate to the pins and tutorial? Well, the pins are made with using my color-gradient blend which I named ‘Origami Blend’ and with the extra steps added it resembles Mokume Nendo, so it seemed natural to combine the names.
Perhaps more of interest will be the revelation how to painlessly make your clay resemble Mokume Gane or Mokume Nendo without the normally required skill of using a thin tissue blade to reveal the various layers of colour. I'll show you how apply coppery patterns and coloured crackle details. The hexagon pin is the one I’m doing in the tutorial, but you can create any shape you like.

Your finished project will be an elegant compliment to any shawl or sweater, especially with the colder season heading upon us…
Look for this collage banner on my ArtFire.

Turtle Jewel Pendants

2011-09-18T17:39:00.001-07:00

It’s been a busy summer, but I’ve been itching to write another tutorial and must say this one has been a long one in the making. Between computers and lost photos (even though I have an external hard drive), too complicated, but I finally got it done. These can be interpreted any way you like, into a tribal kind of pendant or more classy. The facial features like eyes and beak can be left off for a more serious look or you can add comical Muppet-like eyes for fun.

This tutorial consists of 61 steps, 23 pages and 58 photographs.

This lesson is a detailed step by step how to create a turtle with a textured back with an inlaid polymer clay bezeled or rimmed stone. Slowly but surely (turtle pun) you will learn how to build the head, body, legs and tail, then assemble, sculpt, texture the front and back and turn the turtle into a adorable wearable pendant. You can also choose to create a larger version as a decorative ornament. Give your turtle land or sea legs or a metallic or faux bone body.

I’ve listed this in both my Etsy and ArtFire shops.

My newest addition

2011-08-31T22:42:00.001-07:00

There once was a day when a brayer and my hands were all I had to condition my polymer clay, but I think I can speak for most of us when I say that I very much appreciate my pasta machine and don’t think I could ever do without one now (and I even have a motor on the way thanks to my clay friends)
And speaking of one of my friends, Barb Alexander, she has some very cool jewellery just for us clay enthusiasts. I just couldn’t resist and had to buy one of these adorable pendants. They are really solid or thick sterling silver. Enough talk… here are some photos from Barb and a video I shot, so you can see for yourself!

1-866-658-2612 or barb@batikbutik.com

Above is the toll free number if you want one of these or you can email Barb. I think there are limited numbers available. Earrings are $45 and consist of a pasta machine and a block of clay. Pendants are $35. They come in a beautiful gift box. Shipping to the US is $6, but more in Canada.

Tofino Mini Retreat Treat…

2011-08-19T20:24:00.001-07:00

Yes, what a treat that was. Since it is rare for me to be able to get away, 9 fun people decided to come and spend some time with me. There were some new faces whom I only knew from online, and a few others whom I had the pleasure of meeting again. There was laughter (my cheeks got good exercise), fabulous food (diet gone to the dogs), drink and more nibbles and of course we were claying for a whole weekend plus…where do I begin?
4 Vancouver Island Clayers came up from Victoria (about 5 hours) and Nanaimo (3 hours) and 5 others from Vancouver and area which besides the 3 hour drive involved a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride. But the drive to Tofino is very scenic, and especially nice without snow, lol. On a couple of turns the road is very narrow, for those that are familiar with the Road to Hana on Maui, haha.
A few stayed at the beautiful Botanical Gardens Ecolodge and others rented the Botanical House where all the gourmet meals were cooked and I was invited to (soooo nice not having to cook, haha). The Gardens are just amazing and have it 'All’. The Ecolodge isn’t just economical to stay in, but was built with Ecomaterials. It isn’t the way we imagine a Hostel at all as this one is not only clean, but super modern with all comforts and well, go visit the site. Students and people from all walks of life come to work here as WWoofers . When I first heard the word I thought of a speaker stereo sub woofer, but here is meant ‘World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms’…Wwoof! lol
For us clayers, the Lodge provided breakfast and the Workroom was just perfect! There is Darwin’s Cafe with delicious Latte of course, the Gardens…Sometime if there are enough people, we can rent the whole lodge for 32 that would allow us access to all amenities plus 5 people could stay in the house.
(special thanks to Barb Alexander and Lawrence Smith for providing these photos and of course Thank you! to the owner George Patterson, to Chenoa, Sabrina and all the staff at the Botanical Gardens).

On Friday night I handed out ‘Challenge Bags’ (which not everyone was pleased about at first) and a Champagne glass to all the Attendees since I was going to be busy at our local Market on Saturday. The challenge bags contained a small glass bottle, a test tube, a glass bauble, some glass bits, a cork coaster, a round piece of needlework canvas and a CD to cover. Throughout the retreat, the laughter never stopped. And the Challenge bags were well received. Challenges can be intimidating at first, but let the Muse do the talking…
Here are some of the Islanders cooking dinner for us all on the first night and the rest of us chillin’. (that frying pan looks dangerous! lol)

Both ‘teams’ served up delicious meals both nights. Omg…Paula! That Kahlua Chocolate Mousse…
(from left: Lawrence, Janet, Paula, Tina, Eileen, Irene, Ruth, Nancy and Deb. Photo taken by Barb)

Nancy sorting some of the Twinchies for your swap.
So….what is a Twinchie??
A Twinchie is a larger version of an Inchie. But what is an Inchie you ask? I didn’t always know either, lol. The Twinchie is a 2 x 2 inch tile made from various media. In our case it was made from Polymer clay and the theme was ‘ocean’.

Here are all the Twinchies which I mounted on Canvas. Some of us graciously donated an extra one so it would ‘fit’ better.
(top left row: Barb, Lawrence, Janet, Tina. 2nd row from left: Eileen, Paula, Deb, Irene. Bottom from left: Tina, Nancy, Ruth, Janet) Some close ups….
Love the fish and mokume gane! by Janet Bouey.Barb’s shooting stars and moon rise. Lawrence’s Underwater Gardens and Ocean Colours by Ruth.

(I think you can click on the pics to make them bigger)
The challenge turned out quite well also. Most got something finished, like these goblets. Aren’t they great? ok…hard to see…closer versions….
From left: Ruth, Janet, Irene, Lawrence) Am missing the other enlarged photo, I believe it is Nancy’s)
Bottle of Hope by Janet. I also demoed various things regarding surface treatments and techniques, such as Resin, Pearlex, Paints, Silkscreens, Liquid clay and Varnishes and my Landscape Jasper technique. Sounds like a lot and it was. The beads below are examples the Group made (3 left are landscape beads) and the textured piece of clay is one of my demo pieces.

Lawrence and Janet studiously at work…

Some worked at on the Challenge or spent time on their own project which this Retreat was also about, it was supposed to be at a relaxed pace after all. These are Barbs nifty Bobbin beads…

And then while we were chillaxing in the evening on soft cushions in the comfy setting, sipping on Lawrence’s fabulously tasty and yummy Sangria, the Group surprised and presented me with a card. It immediately brought tears to my eyes as it was completely unexpected. I was not only presented with plenty of happy anniversary and birthday wishes, but with a Pasta Machine Motor!! OMG! (I must have been complaining about a sore shoulder at some point, lol). In more than 20 years of claying, I guess it is time for one! Thanks so much Gang!!
On Monday mid morning it was time to pack up…the sad part. But, let’s do a Repeat!! It was so much fun to have spent this time with you my friends! Thank you!
About Pasta Machines…stay tuned for a Fun Fun Fun blog…

Orange Love Affair

2011-08-12T01:40:00.001-07:00

I’ve been so busy, but thought I should make time for a small update.
I’ve never been much of an orange fan, orange the colour that is…until it just struck me! It’s such a happy and sunny colour. Our summer has been extremely lacking in sunshine and we haven’t had a day over 19 degrees. All of August so far has been cast over and cool and this is perhaps why I’m suddenly drawn to orange, along with yellow and red (I miss those summer sunsets!)
Here are a few of my latest creations…all orange…orange u glad? (sorry, couldn’t help that one)

Ok…I snuck a green flower in there, but was too lazy to crop.

The Racoon ate my Homework…

2011-07-15T16:24:00.001-07:00

…or maybe he stole it, not sure which. Do Racoons like shiny things??
I know racoons look cute and here is an adorable photo. Looks like he either is saying “I do, I do” to the question of “Who wants a piece of sausage” or… he’s just waving at you. Little Rascal.

Racoons are curious creatures. Last week I was sitting in my studio, close to the door which I had open about two feet to allow in more light. I’ve been having this reoccurring dream of a black bear sauntering slowly past and this certainly is a worry out here as we’ve had our share of run-ins with them. If I really had to I’d climb up into the loft and throw things at him…ok…ok…I digress.
Racoons are more daring, so much so that they aren’t really afraid to explore the insides of our living spaces. So, I was sitting near the door when a racoon sauntered by in what looked like slow motion and just as he was by the door where I was sitting very still and motionless, I thought I’d surprise him as he still didn’t see me, even as he peeked inside the door. I guess their eyesight isn’t too good. Then I piped up “Hey You!” and he gave me the funniest, obvious look of “Oh crap! I’ve been caught!” and hightailed it which isn’t very fast…toward the bushes beside my shop.
Well…he got back at me yesterday. While I went in the house to get myself a cup of tea, my husband heard noises out back and asked if I was watching a show or something. “no…?'” Didn’t take long to discover that a couple of minutes did the damage. Rascal paw prints on my desk…the waste basket stuff strewn all over the place. A broken work tile, nibbled packages of polymer clay, jewellery bins tossed open (I guess they are very adept at opening lids!). So I put everything back together and get back to work and realize I have some stuff missing!! I can’t find my Rhinestone spacers and I had them right ‘there’.
Anyway…this is a collar I’m working on since the last one (photo below) sold to someone in the US. The Gallery asked me for 2 more, but of course they take weeks to make and this being the busy season, I won’t be able to ‘pop’ those out, lol. Now I have to think about what to use instead of the rhinestones…but I’m so glad he didn’t decide to eat my necklace or take the whole thing!

Something new...

2011-07-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

Well, new for 'me' anyway.
I'm now officially an Instructor on CraftEdu. If you're not familiar with the site, it offers an array of classes, not only polymer clay but for all kinds of other media as well.
My class is up for a 2-day Bazinga!

Textured Flower and Wire Pendants - by Tina Holden

Here is the URL to take you to the Preview (and Class, if you choose) http://bit.ly/r1ROf3

Create a textured Polymer Clay Flower Pendant using Tina's Origami colour gradient blend and a Wire Basket Weaving technique to assemble the petals. Watch her free preview at link below. Tina is an adept teacher and has several unique ways with polymer clay and wire work. Enjoy this fun class at BAZINGA price 19$ for two days .... class will return to regular price of 28$ on Friday 7/8/11 at noon mountain time. Buy at a savings and watch when convenient.

New polymer clay and fresh start

2011-05-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

I love these new colours for Premo and Premo Accents. I don’t have all of them, but really like the Wasabi, and Bright Green Pearl, Magenta, Purple, Peacock and 18KT Gold. The new packaging for Premo looks pretty spiffy too.

So I have a few new colours and my workspace was too cluttered and if my workspace gets too cluttered, I can't concentrate. If it is too clean, I loose my muse, so where is the balance?
.
Looks like I already started work again, lol…doesn’t take long for my desk to get messy . I need a better place for magazines. Right now I keep them in drawers underneath the bed. A lot of stuff in a little place.

Now I can get back to work…
How do you deal with a small space??

Springing into Polymer Clay Colour

2011-05-02T00:08:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things I've been up to...Polymer Clay Flowers, Hearts, Beach Pebbles and my Batik and Shimmer Jewellery. I'm really enjoying some of the new Premo colours, particularly the Pearls, like Bright Green, Peacock and Violet, although Wasabi is an interesting colour as well.

Just for fun Polymer Clay

2011-04-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Flower amd Whaletail Pendant Necklaces
These flowers are handsculpted by me from the newest colours of polymer clay, both pearlescents (mica based) and opaques. I mix many of my own shades of colours or partially mix complimentary colours together.

Whaletail Necklaces with semiprecious stones

These colours make me think of Spring!

Polymer clay and pearls

2011-04-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

It is so very nice to have one of my more substantial pieces 'Chrysocolla and Pearl Necklace' included in a Collection on ArtFire. This one is all about

Contemporary Pearl and Silver Jewelry

Curated By: PrairieWillow

ArtFire.com

Polymer clay, stones and pearls can be fired together. Today while visiting the local Gallery, someone had just commented that my Jewelry reminded them of something out of 'Lord of the Rings'. I'm flattered and yes, some of my work does get influenced by certain movies, legends, mythical as well as the historic and mysterious...

Geared for Polymer clay Cuff Bracelets

2011-03-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

The last couple of days were spent making tiles for cuff bracelets from my Batik and Shimmer technique for polymer clay as well a sort of crackle that I thought would suit some polymer clay cogs and gears for a bit of an industrial look. I can't really call this steampunk as it doesn't have enough of that element to it. Having made these I'm inspired to try something else and am making sketches.
I should have done my nails....but here you can get the point of the size...
I was asked if the gears are polymer clay. Yes they are. I have a tutorials on how to make bracelet tiles as well as the gears...