More Designs in a Snap! and Bonus Offer

My friend Joanne came over to clay with me the other day and brought some templates and textures by Melanie Muir she had recently purchased to play with.  I was immediately drawn to one of the textures and was planning on creating some jewelry pieces in dark blue to go with my summer wardrobe.  I tried one of the templates as well to create a pendant and matching earrings.

The colors I used to create the mokume gane were the Pantone Spring color Lapis Blue, White Mix (recipe # 1-2 in my Clay Color System) and Kato silver.

Naturally my pendant piece is actually a snap, making it interchangeable.

I like to wear it on a stainless steel necklace chain but I also love to wear it on the frost white softglass cord for a totally different look! 

You will find a mini tutorial I did some time ago on how to add a snap base to the softglass or other cording here.

And of course all the little left-over pieces made great smaller size snaps that I can wear in my other snap base accessories such as a bracelet, hair barrettes, and handbag.

I love my handbags with the snaps and have several in different colors.  These bags are excellent quality (imitation leather) and after using them on a daily basis for a while now they still look like new and are a fun accessory!  They come with 2 interchangeable straps:  One adjustable shoulder and wrist and have 3 zipper pockets.

If you would like one of these bags, we have a special bonus offer!  With a $100 minimum purchase (after any discounts or coupons applied) from our Snap Decisions Collection and/or DIY Snap Supplies, receive a clutch purse ($29.95 value) of your choice at no charge!  No coupon code is required.  Just leave a comment at the checkout which color you would like.  This offer is for 2 days only and ends Sunday midnight (June 25) or while quantities last.  We also have a limited quantity of colors so first come, first served.

By the way, my favorite bag color is the Cedar which is very similar to the Pantone fall color Dusty Cedar.  I find it is more like a dusty rose or burgundy and any clay pieces made with the Pearl Ex mica powder color, Red Russet is a close match.

Resolutions For a New Year

I am always looking forward to starting a new year.  There is something about out with the old and a fresh new start.  I generally do not make new year's resolutions but this year I decided to make three.

One:  Try new things --  Ever since I have discovered polymer clay I feel I am constantly trying something new and pushing my boundaries.  It is always exciting to discover some new technique or vibrant color combination.  I already got a jump-start on this one.  Ever since I saw Judy Belcher's Micro Knitting in polymer clay, I knew I really wanted to learn how to do that.  Rather than trying to figure it out on my own I decided it was worth going right to the expert and learning directly from her.  I have had a chance to go through the tutorial and now excited about giving it a try.

Two:  Improve on the old.  No matter what we create, I feel there is always room for improvement.  Sometimes that means taking a new course or tutorial.  We all have a different view point and experience and so we can always learn from each other.  One of my favorite polymer clay techniques is mokume gane.  I have been creating with it for several years now but recently discovered how Melanie Muir had really learned how to master it with such a unique style.  While I really wasn't interested in making "Rock Cuffs", I decided to take Melanie's class through Craftcast and see if I could pick up any tips.  I managed to learn a few new things and after trying her method I found my mokume did improve and I was satisfied with the results.

The veneer on this kite bead necklace was created in a mokume using the new Pantone Spring 2013 colors of Monaco Blue, African Violet and Tender Shoots.

These buttons were made using the Pantone Spring 2013 colors of Monaco Blue, Dusk Blue, Emerald and Grayed Jade.  Both the kite beads and these buttons remind me a lot of Batik dyed fabric.

Three:  Don't over do it.  This one will be more of a challenge but sometimes I want to do too much and do not allow myself time for the first and second resolution.  This past year we found ourselves almost too busy at times and after Dave and I discussing things, we both decided that somethings had to give to allow more time for what was really important.  Making these types of decisions should not only reduce some of our stress but allow more time to enjoy the whole process and not feel so overwhelmed.

Now I am off to relax in our new jacuzzi hot tub for a nice relaxing soak.  This was our new addition to our home this year to help with the tendinitis in my shoulder and combat that extra stress.   It will be a good way to relax and unwind before we see in the New Year!