Showing our Canadian Pride!

Things have been pretty crazy these days for us and friends and family living south of the border.  The tariff threats that have started and more still looming over our country has brought out a huge amount of support and pride here.  For the first time ever, people are more focused on buying Canadian products (supplied and/or produced here) and supporting our own people.

I decided it was time to dust off those Canadian designs I first created a few years ago for Canada's 150 year anniversary celebration.  They were quite popular and still are a great seller -- especially for our July 1st Canada day celebrations.

These are all available in my online store and to make them easier to find, I have put them all in our Canadian Collection category.

We are also having a sale on everything in our online store (including our Canada Collection).  Just use the coupon code below.  Sale ends March 21.

A Total Blackout so Make Hay While the Sun Shines!

Happy New Year to everyone!  I was quite surprised to discover that almost a year has gone by since I last posted!  This has been quite the year with so many ups and downs for myself and my mom (who lives with me and I take care of).  She is now considered palliative as her heart continues to fail more each day.  We are still thankful for another year together and didn't think she would see her 91st birthday which we just celebrated this past week.

My own health has been slowly deteriorating for quite a few years with this past year being the worst.  After being referred to several specialists, a surgery (which led to the discovery of my sleep apnea) and lots of x-rays, scans, ultrasound and finally an MRI that finally led to my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.  I am still going through a lot of emotions trying to process this news.  I have learned there is no cure but just finding ways to manage the pain in which I am currently waiting for a consult with a local pain clinic.

All I do know, for me right now, is that I will have to accept the fact that my life has slowed down a fair bit but I refuse to have it come to a grinding halt.  I have heard my parents and grandparents use the phrase "Make hay while the sun shines!" but now I understand the meaning.  I have good days and bad days that are total write-offs.  I have also learned that if something important needs to be done, leave it until a little later in the afternoon or evening when I am feeling a bit more normal.  I do have orders to fill that I need to work on so I have learned to take more advantage of the good days or times when I am struggling less.

So during those "good" days, I managed to fill a recent button order for Kelowna Yarn & Needlecrafts store.  They have a rich texture in jewel-tone colors.  Thank goodness for my Dream Machine (a huge oversize pasta-like machine) with a motor to help with my creating, as my hands would not be able to do this without it.

The colors are created using various mica powders or colored pigments.  I share lots of tips in several of my tutorials on how to work with these powders and achieve certain colors.  (Click on photo below for link).

I use a lot of black clay for the background, which helps makes the jewel-tone colors pop.  As I am using up most of my Kato clay (and in the process of changing to another clay brand), I realized I was running out of black.  I had heard about the new "Black-out" clay the Kato brand came out with and so decided to order some to try out.  With this Black-out clay, one is suppose to be able to tint any scrap clay into black.

I have to say that this stuff is so amazing and a real game changer!!!  I have plenty of scrap but an abundance of "mud" or brown.  I generally use this color as bead filler but one can only use so much of it.  You can see in the above photo the black clay on the left was created from the same brown clay on the right -- and I only used maybe 1/10 of the blackout for mixing.  It not only tints the clay but also makes a wonderful conditioner.  The brown was a little on the dry side but really soft and pliable after tinting.

I create a lot of items using this coloring textured technique such as our interchangeable jewelry snaps and buttons for sewing or knitting.  The stores we sell to have samples like these that are all numbered.  This way they can match the color samples with their fabric, or yarn to make it easier for ordering.  It also allows them to be creative as well in selecting the texture with the color to suit their project.

The bags shown above and below, for instance, are examples of the kits created by Fibre Expressions, a quilt shop in the Sunshine Coast of BC.  They put together amazing quilted bag kits which include one of our coordinating buttons.

And if you are just looking for buttons that I create, you will find a wide assortment in our online store in our Sew, Knit, Crochet Section.  Some of these are stocked or can be made to order.

The Future is Clear!

Happy new years everyone!  I have something exciting I recently discovered that I realized I had not shared here yet so figured now is a good time.

I see so many asking the question "what sealer works best on polymer clay?"  But does polymer clay really require "sealing"?  My answer:  "No it does not".  A lot of my creations have no "sealing agent or glaze" and even years later they still look good as new.  If I want a high shine, I prefer to sand and then buff with my Dremel tool.  I especially love how it feels when I touch it with my hands.  You can read more info on this if you click on the tab at the top of this blog "Polymer Clay Tips".  Here is a video of my past hubby/claymate buffing a piece with the Dremel tool.  I have the buffing pads I make myself listed in my online store here.  (right now on sale until the end of the month).

I also create pieces that I cannot sand or buff and DO require a sealing agent or glaze.  This is when I add coloring agents to the outside of my piece such as mica powders, inks or pan pastels as in the textured tube beads shown in the photo below -- my tutorial for this is here.  If the coloring materials are not sealed, they can eventually wear off over time.

Textured Tube Beads

To Glaze or Not to Glaze . . .

I wrote a blog post quite a few years ago on glazing your work (in 2010) and realized it needed an update.  So many products are constantly changing and have even been discontinued over the years.  It seems I just find a product I like and then it suddenly isn't available any more!  I am constantly in search of a better product -- not just something better to work with but that gives excellent results and is also safer for the environment.

One of the products I have been using for many years to seal my work (that has coloring agents which require sealing) is, believe it or not, "Future Acrylic Floor Finish".  I know many who have been working with polymer clay over the years are aware of this trade "secret".  Some, like myself, still use it today.  Many "newbies" are not aware of it, or when they see a photo or a reference to it, they are confused.  This is a product that was introduced into the market as far back as in the 1960's.  The bottle pictured above is of the original vintage bottle.  Over the years, the label had changed many times and was later purchased by Johnson & Johnson, thus eventually becoming "Pledge with Future" and then lastly, "Pledge Revive".

So now, Johnson & Johnson discontinued their latest product and sadly, is no longer available.

Or is it?????

Well, introducing . . . . drum roll . . . .   Quick Shine!

It is by a different company but very much the same as the original "Future Floor Finish".  I have been testing it out to see how it compares and so far, it is pretty darn close --- other than the smell.  I really didn't mind the smell of the original Future (had somewhat of a fruity odor) but this one is not as strong and slightly different, yet not objectionable -- at least not to me.

I should mention I also like to use the other glazes made for polymer clay such as the Cernit brand -- which comes in a matte finish besides glossy.  I find they are far better to use than a typical varathane.  But when working with mica powders, I still prefer to use the acrylic floor finish (now Quick Shine) for the following reasons:  

# 1 - Safer for the environment and our health!  Just compare the labels.  Quick Shine has the "Safer Choice" seal and all you have to do is look at those danger warning signs on the Varathane.

# 2 - Quick Shine has just as hard a finish as the varathane, and maybe even tougher.  After all, it is made to be used on floors which can take quite a beating.

# 3 - Cleans up easy off your hands, etc. with soap and water.

# 4 - Cost!  Quick Shine is by far way cheaper than the varathane plus the bottle size is larger as well and keeps for a very long time.

So where can you get it?  I bought mine in a hardware store in the floor care section.  You can google it to find what stores sell it in your area.  I did see it on Amazon but at double the price but if you cannot find it elsewhere, then that can always be a back-up plan.

And here are a few quick tips for working with the Quick Shine (or Future if you still have some hanging around like I do):

• Pour some Quick Shine into a small clean jar (not too much as you can top it up as needed).  This way when you are done you can tightly seal the jar to use next time.  Over time, the Quick shine can start to thicken.  If it does (reason for not too much at a time in your jar), take some paper towel to sop it up and wipe the jar out.  Discard the paper towel in the garbage and add some fresh product into your jar.

• When applying it to your piece, use a dry, soft, clean, brush.  Apply a thin, light coat to your piece.  Allow to dry and then apply a second or third coat if necessary.  It is better to do several thin coats than one thick one to prevent streaking, etc.  It will also make the finish more durable. Wash your brush out with soap and water before it dries and hardens.

• After your pieces have dried, they can be "heat-set" by baking again but this time at a much lower temperature (200 F or 100 C) for 15-20 minutes.  Also be sure to place the pieces in a pan that has a cover or tightly cover with tin foil to prevent any fumes from escaping (just in case).

So lastly, if you prefer, you can always use other glazes that are created just for polymer clay such as Sculpey or Cernit.  I quite like the Cernit glaze and like how it also comes in a matte finish besides glossy.  These both also recommend "heat-setting" which makes them more durable.  I haven't used them for sealing mica powders as of yet but have another special use which I will share with you in another post later sometime.

Barbie Pink in Polymer Clay

I don't go out to the movies anymore since I lost my "Claymate" and hubby Dave.  I prefer now to wait until I can watch the latest films from the comfort and convenience of my own home.  Not that I don't miss going out.  I do very much and our favorite way of celebrating our Anniversary was dinner and a movie.  I have seen so many trailers for the latest Barbie movie and I have to say, it looks like a whole lot of fun.  I hope to see it sometime soon, but, in the meantime, I notice a lot of people have been into the color Pink -- specifically pinks that "Barbie" would wear.

So I decided to research the color and see what the Pantone Color Institute had to offer.  I also checked to see if there were other color matches for the Pantone 219 C and my Pantone Connect app came up with 3 close matches -- all of which I have shared my color recipes previously, on this blog.

To make things easier for you, I will provide you the links to these colors here (click on the color name below) so you can mix up some fun "Barbie" pinks in time for the Christmas season!  So here goes:

The best match is:

Cabaret

First Alternative:

Fuchsia Fedora

Second Alternative:

Pink Yarrow

The color Beetroot Purple was one of the spring colors for this year.  A close match to this shade was Pink Yarrow.  If you click on the name you will see the post I wrote on it.

So any of these three magenta pinks can work really well if you would like to create some vivid "Barbie Pinks".  I hope you have some fun with it!

Snowflakes . . . in a Snap!

Get ready for the holidays with some fun snowflakes.  My seasonal "Snowflakes . . . in a Snap!" tutorial is once again available for sale.  This is a follow-up lesson to my "Snap Decisions" tutorial (part 1) which you would need to understand it.

Right now, with the purchase of both parts 1 & 2 of my Snap Decisions tutorial (with or without the starter kit), you will receive the Snowflakes in a Snap tutorial at no charge (value $10).  It will be emailed out along with the Snap Decisions tutorial after purchased.  (Click on the photos below to see more about the tutorial and tutorial with starter kit.

And there is another bonus!  The Snowflakes in a Snap lesson is available in pdf format that is sent directly to the e-mail address provided when purchased but is also available with a free bonus starter pack which includes some blank snaps, a beautiful snap pendant, a rhinestone snap ring, 30 hot fix crystals and a snowflake charm for create your own mold.

To receive this bonus starter kit, just purchase this snowflake tutorial with a minimum of $50 from my Snap Supplies category (including clearance and after any other discounts are applied) at the same time.  Mention the starter kit at the check-out in the comments section and if you have a preferred crystal color rather than mixed. Shipping charges will apply for this bonus offer but we do offer free shipping with a minimum amount.  You can see our shipping charges and policy here.

Introducing the new Revised Edition and Sale

I am happy to announce I finally finished the revised edition to my Clay Color System tutorial.  My original tutorial was first published 12 years ago (2011).  It is my own concept that I had been using for several years before that.

My original Color System tutorial was first based on Kato clay.  At that time, it was the only brand that was made in the true artist colors.  Previous to that, Premo (Sculpey brand) also had the true artist colors, but made the huge mistake of discontinuing them.  This created quite an uproar within the polymer clay artist community, so Sculpey decided to put back some of the colors into circulation -- but only the three primary colors -- Red, Yellow and Blue.  When the Sculpey company did this, a lot of clay artists jumped ship and switched to Kato clay.

While I personally like working with Kato clay, many artists find it difficult to condition (it is very hard/firm) and many have issues with the smell.  For me, it had become more difficult to obtain here in Canada as the shipping charges and extra import fees are horrendous.  And in the last few years, other clay brands that are made in the true artist colors have become more widely available, like Cernit (Number One series) and Fimo Professional (Not Fimo soft). 

I have tried Fimo Professional and find it quite nice to work with, however it does have it's issues.  For instance I like to make impressions in my clay which requires a mold release.  I generally prefer to use water instead of cornstarch.  Fimo clay reacts to water and becomes sticky and gummy.  If you would like to apply any type of powders to your textured clay, after using cornstarch as a mold release, any colored powders will not stick.

Since a year ago, I started experimenting with the Cernit brand clay and discovered how much I like it.  Not only are the colors true (Number One series) and vibrant, it is soft enough to work with without being too soft or sticky.  I also have all the colors in the Metallic, Pearl and Translucent.  Other than the Number One series, I love the Metallic the most.  The colors are just so scrumptious!  I am also intrigued with the Translucent as I have seen some amazing faux glass pieces created by other artists.

So in my last blog post, I announced that the Pantone color recipes would be the last I would be sharing with you here as I will be no longer using Kato clay.  You might be wondering about what will be next.  Any future recipes will be available in my online store and I will be sharing here inspiration on using those new colors.

The new Revised Edition of my Clay Color System was revamped to work with other brand clays besides Kato.  It does not have all the extra color recipes provided in my Original Clay Color System that uses Kato clay but these recipes can be purchased separately or as an extra bonus.  Many of these recipes are used as base colors to create the Pantone color recipes provided on this blog (see the link at the top of this page).  This means you can still create the older color recipes provided here using other clay brands besides Kato, but the end results might not be the same.

So if you do not have my Clay Color System and would like to learn more about an easy way of mixing color, I have it on sale (30% off until the end of this week.  To celebrate finishing my work, I decided to put all my other tutorials on sale for 30% off as well (excluding my snap tutorial with the bonus Starter packs).  No coupon code is necessary.  The prices have already been reduced.  The sale will end on midnight next Saturday, October 28.

* Also my preprinted color recipe cards will be available soon - as soon as my materials arrive.  I will keep you up to date on this.

Summary for the Pantone Fall 2023 Fashion Color Recipes

Here is a review of the Pantone Fall 2023 Fashion Color Recipes.  Click on the photos below to see the individual recipes.  You can access the past Pantone seasonal color recipes by clicking on the tab at the top of this blog.  I have my Pantone color recipes posted on this blog that go all the way back to 2011 when I first published my Color System tutorial.  I have been mixing up Pantone colors using Kato clay much longer than that and always found it to be inspiring and a way to spring board my creativity each season. 

Now I feel it is time for a change and so sadly, this was the last time I will be sharing any future Pantone color recipes here on this blog.  You will be able to purchase any new designer colors through my online store in future and I will be sharing here instead ideas on using these new colors.

Viva Magenta - Color of the Year

Red Dahlia - Red Orange - Burnt Sienna - Rose Violet

Carnival Glass - Kohlrabi - High Visibility

Persian Jewel - Tender Peach - Doe

I hope you enjoy these new recipes.  I will be sharing shortly some finished items made in some of these colors.  To see more samples, you can see my work in my online store in the Shop by Color Category.