Interchangeable Beads in an Autumn Maple and Tawny Port Mix

I created a color mix earlier with the Pantone Fall 2017 fashion colors Autumn Maple, Butterum and Tawny Port.  It was a nice combination but I wanted the colors to pop a little more so I recreated the mix again but this time added some black.  I think the new color combo came out richer and is surprising how adding just a little black can create a more dramatic look.

We made these pieces with the Holy CaBezel jewelry molds.  On the left is with the Sue design and the right is Lorraine.  These of course are on a snap for interchanging and will be added to our online store soon.

We make almost all of our focal beads on a snap so they can be worn different ways.

"We create the art ... you choose how to wear it!"

New CaBezel Snaps in Winter Colors

I haven't been too active here this month as we've had our nose to the grindstone -- or more like the clay pasta machine!  Many of the stores that we sell wholesale to turn in their fall orders and it seems September is our month to get them all finished and sent out or delivered.  I am happy to say I see a little light flickering at the end of the tunnel but is still a little ways away yet.  The good news is that we have been making some new creations and will try and share them as they are finished off and photographed.

Here are a few of our new interchangeable snaps in fall colors.  The crimson red and grey are a variation of the Pantone fall colors that also have a more winter feel.  I think, however, they will compliment outfits in black or neutral gray quite nicely.  I used three of the Holy CaBezel jewelry molds for the pendant beads below.  Left to right:  Carolyn (named after moi),  Lorraine, and Sue.  These were all created using the largest of the three sizes in the set.

We recently brought in some new snap base bracelets and will have some available in our online store soon.  Most of these will be going to the Silhouette Fashion Boutique with some other new fresh items for fall.  I am quite excited about them opening another store.  The latest one is in Vernon (Village Green Centre) so our Snap Decisions Collection is now available there as well as the downtown Salmon Arm location.

Holy CaBezel Scarf Necklace

It was overcast today -- not from clouds but smoke from the forest fires -- so thought I would pop outside and take some photos of our new CaBezel beads.  I wanted to share a few more ideas of how they could be worn.  There is a snap embedded into the back making them interchangeable so they can easily be switched out and worn many different ways or change out the large pendants for a different design or color.

Another way they can be worn is on a scarf.  I show how to make your own scarf bails in my tutorial:  Constructing Accent Pieces for Your Scarves, Sweaters & Shawls.

We add a special clip to the snap base making it easy to interchange from a necklace chain or cord to a scarf bail.  These clips are available in our jewelry supplies of our online store and the snap bases to create your own interchangeable jewelry pieces are in our DIY snap supplies section.

I also want to thank Sage Bray for featuring of our interchangeable beads and Wendy's CaBezel jewelry molds on the Daily Polymer Arts Blog.  If you haven't yet discovered The Polymer Arts Magazine, it is worth subscribing to.  I prefer going paperless and love how you can subscribe digitally.

And I should mention that we are having a Flash sale on all of our snap supplies and in case you missed it, we have extended it for a few more days ending midnight August 13!

Waterfall Necklaces with the New CaBezel Molds

I've been having fun making pendant pieces using the new CaBezel molds by Wendy Orlowski.  These ones have a hole in the center and I just love the new shapes.  They will be available soon at Shades of Clay and also in several sizes for each shape.  I can hardly wait and really excited to create with those as well.  I am thinking the smaller shapes would make great earrings to match the pendants.

I like to create the Bezel parts of the molds first so they are ready to fill with our various designs.

So all of these pieces that I created are interchangeable with a snap embedded into the back.  I shared a mini tutorial on how to do this in a previous post here.  The nice thing about making them interchangeable instead of adding a bail is that they can be worn in a variety of ways.  Every person has different preferences when it comes to wearing a necklace including size, color and even style.  With this method, we can create the art and the customer can decide how they want to wear it. 

I was photographing some of these pieces to list in our online store and made a cool discovery.  When I added them to our snap base with a chain tassel I noticed the chain would fit through the center hole of the pendant piece creating a cool waterfall effect!

No matter which shape I used, the chain fit through the hole and was perfectly balanced!

If you would like to create your own interchangeable snap necklaces we have several findings available in our Supply section of our online store (click on the photos for more info) with several items on sale until the end of the week or while supplies last.

Basic Snap Base Link with 2 Loops

Basic Snap Pendants

Snap Base Pendant With Attached Tube Bail

And to get you started, check out my Interchangeable Polymer Clay Jewelry in a Snap tutorial.  I share lots of tips and tricks on working with the metal snaps such as adding your clay creations, baking and finishing.

My tutorial (part 1 & 2 combined) is 25% off until the end of the month and you will receive your bonus personalized coupon code for 20% off your first purchase of snap supplies!

Art Snap of the Month and New Items

We are starting a new program on our website.  Each month we will have a featured art snap of the month.  With every $50 purchase from our Snap Decisions Collection you will receive one of our handcrafted art snaps as a gift for free!

For the month of July our art snap of the month is our popular multi-floral in a selection of six colors to choose from each with our signature lady bug!  There is no coupon code necessary.  After purchasing at least $50 (Cdn) from our Snap Decisions Collection, leave a comment at the checkout telling us which color of snap you would like and we will included it with your order.  With a $100 order you will receive two bonus snaps plus free shipping!

We also have added some new items to our Snap Decisions Collection.  Most are in our "New Items" section but here are a few examples:  (Click on the photos to view the items in our shop)

New Stretch Band Hair Ties with a Snap Base

New Snap Base Post Earrings with a Built in Clip.

No more fiddling around with little stoppers!

Waterdrop Pendant

Also available with our interchangeable clip bail

Faux Snake Chain Lariat

Make Your Own Interchangeable Snap Bracelet

We have these cool bracelet clasps in our DIY Snap Supply section of our online store that have a snap for interchanging.

I suddenly realized I never did a tutorial on how to make your own bracelet with these and even though it is quite simple I thought I would give you a mini tutorial here with a special bonus offer!

These clasps come as a two piece set.  The main part with a snap base for interchanging your art snaps and a slider that keeps the bracelet closed while wearing.

To create your own bracelet, you will need some cord that is 6 mm thick and 14"-16" long, depending on your wrist size.  15" (36 mm) is good for an average size wrist.  I have a small wrist and so my cord length is 14" (34 mm) and you can cut it 16" (38 mm) or longer for a larger size wrist.

Fold your cord in half and slide on the slider piece.  Slide it up towards the folded loop making sure that the ends are even.

If your cord has a seam, make sure the seam is to the back or bottom of your bracelet so it is hidden.

All that is left now is to glue the ends of your cord into the snap base.  I like to use a gel type super glue.  The Loctite brand is exceptional as it is quick drying and holds really well!  So add some glue directly to the inside of the snap base end as shown (rather than on the cord as it is less messy this way).  Insert your cord ends and hold for a few seconds until it is secure.  Note:  Because this glue is fast drying it is good to make sure your cord ends are already straight and lined up ready to insert before adding the glue.

Once the glue is dry, your bracelet is now ready to wear!

A - open the loop by pulling back the slider
B - place the loop over the snap base and fit it in the groove
C - Push the slider up to hold it in place
D - Snap in your art design and wear!

We also have Necklace magnetic front closure clasps with a snap that take the same size cord and you can create a matching set.  My tutorial to create the necklace is here.

And for a limited time, we have a special bonus offer.  Purchase some of the snap base clasps and receive some cord at no extra charge to make your own bracelets or necklace.  This cord is a super soft Ultra-suede in black with a copper brown heart pattern.  You will see the bonus packs in our DIY Snap supply section in our online store.