Beads, Beads, and more Beads!

While reorganizing my studio the other day, I was easily distracted when I came across my huge handcrafted clay bead collection. I have built up quite a large inventory over the past 10 or more years and just never got around to creating with them.  Some weren't finished (required sanding and polishing) and others just needed a touch up.  I decided to start working on them bit by bit.  It was quite the task and rather than get overwhelmed, I did a small amount each day over the past 6 months and now I have a nice supply ready to play with!  These are just some of the larger-size beads.

I happened to have emptied some bin-type containers so decided to use them for organizing.  I can hardly believe I ended up with 5 almost all filled.  Here are some photos to give you an idea.

I have some cool ideas for using these -- other than for regular jewelry pieces which I will share later.  I also have a huge stash of my rondelle spacer beads.  Each time I share the seasonal Pantone Fashion color clay recipes, I would make some spacer beads in my favorite colors.  I found these cute little plastic boxes for organizing them and now they are all in order and labelled with my clay recipe numbers to coordinate.

I have a tutorial lesson on how to make my rondelle spacer beads which you can find here (or click on the photo below):

The color recipes I used to create my beads are included in my Clay Color System which I also show how to organize all your clay.  It is more than just recipes -- it is a whole system and inspiration on how to create new colors and combinations.

My pantone color recipes are based on Kato clay but my new revised color system has been adapted to using other clay brands.  The colors may not come out exactly but will give plenty of inspiration.  Right now and until then end of April, both of these tutorials are on sale at 30% off.

I will be back later to share what I am creating with my beads.  Have a great weekend!

Ring in the Pantone's Color of the Year!

Happy New Year everyone.  I like to generally start out the year exploring new clay colors and mixing up some of the Pantone color recipes.  Pantone actually made the news quite a bit last month with so much talk regarding Pantone's Color of the Year for 2026.  I am curious what your reaction was?

When I first saw it announced, all I could think of was. "WOW, Are they serious?  This must be a joke!"  I have been following the Pantone Fashion Colors since around 2006 when someone first introduced it to me.  A few years later, I started mixing up the colors using Kato Clay but didn't start posting the recipes on my blog until Fall 2011.  Over the years I found each of the season's color palette to be a wonderful mix and provided plenty of inspiration.  The past few years, however, I have found them to be less inspiring as many of the colors are repeated over time.

Pantone Spring 2026 Fashion Colors

When I look at this years spring colors I find most of them are a similar tone and seem more like fall than what you would expect for spring or summer.  

For instance, here are 3 colors from the above Spring 2026 palette that have been used in previous years in fall and winter palettes.  The others are very close variations of previous colors which I will share with you a little bit later.

Colors from left to right:

Marina - Fall 2017

Lava Falls - Fall 2022

Burnt Sienna - Fall 2023

In my eyes, Pantone pretty much hit bottom with Chocolate Mousse (a fancy word for brown) as the color of the year 2025 and I didn't think they could do worse . . . that is until I saw this years!  I actually find the names they use for their colors more inspiring as Cloud Dancer sounds so much better than "white".  So is Black going to be for next year?

I apologize if I sound too cynical, in which I am, but I cannot help it.  To me, a color of the year should be an actual "Color" that is full of life and vibrant!  To me, as someone who also likes to paint, looks at white as not a color but as a "blank canvas" in which to add color.

In the world of polymer clay, it does make a great neutral or contrast in our work.  But working with a large white base or background, however, has a huge challenge of keeping it clean and completely lint or blemish free before baking as well as preventing it from discoloration during the baking process.

Later on I will share with you a few tips that I have discovered in working with white clay -- that is unless you have a pet (cat or dog), it might be hopeless, but I do have tips on that as well.  So here are a few examples of my work using white in my designs which I will talk more on in my next post.

Faux White Stone Marble

Silk screen printing on white clay

Adding white for contrast in Mokume Gane technique.
These are created using the Cabezel Jewelry Molds.

Merry Christmas from my House to Yours!

Things are quite different for me without my mom this year at Christmas.  I was enjoying putting out some of my favorite Christmas decor items but I was totally exhausted afterwards.  I was at a point where I was wondering if it was worth the effort to put up my tree but them my sister reminded me of how it could help lift my spirits a bit and I can enjoy it through the season, even if they are not here to enjoy it with me.  I am glad I did, even though it took me several days to decorate!  

I live in a large condo complex that is age 55+ and very well maintained.  We have an active social committee, along with many volunteers, who create various events throughout the year but also look after putting up all the Christmas decorations throughout the building.  Our building has a very large dining room and lounge for such events and a caterer comes in to provide special dinners or brunch 2 to 3 times a week.

Front of my Condo Building

Main Lobby in my Condo Building

As of several months ago, I am officially retired from my day job (which was only part time) but now I can totally focus on my health and enjoying life which of course includes working with my clay and other art work.  I don't seem to be able to accomplish as much in a day like I use to but I am now learning more how to enjoy the "journey" instead of always looking towards the "destination".  I think that makes a great New Year's resolution, doesn't it?

So I just want to wish you all a very restful and Merry Christmas! -- I will be back again soon with some more updates.

In the meantime, if you are looking for a fun Christmas project, here is my Candy Cane Beads tutorial I posted way back in 2011 but is never outdated!  Enjoy!

New Travel Jewelry Pouches

Ever since the creation of my Snap Decisions! Jewelry collection, I have been on the look-out for the best ways to organize my own jewelry at home and also for travel.  For organizing at home I decided to update my walk-in closet with a section just for my jewelry and accessories.  This was fun to do and I am still tinkering as I add more pieces.  I organize most of my items by color so it is quick and easy to match what I am going to wear.

For travel, items are organized a bit differently and of course it depends if it is a short trip where I would only use a carry-on bag or if I will be away for a longer time and need more clothes and travel bags.

For a longer trip, I have my "Vivace" Tote.  This is so versatile and can hold a lot of pieces from my personal collection plus keep them organized as well as handy so I am not wasting a lot of precious time searching for things.  I still have several of these tote bags left in my online store along with extra inserts that can be added.

For a shorter trip with just a carry on bag (limited space), I now have some new jewelry pouches in stock.  These are available in several colors.  I love how they zip wide open and have a few inside pockets for organizing.  Several clear plastic containers are included that work great for storing smaller items such as earrings or interchangeable "snaps" so they do not get lost.

These jewelry pouches (4 piece set) are offered as a free gift with a $50 minimum order purchase (After any discounts are applied).   This offer is good until December 15th or while quantities last.  You do not need to add it to your cart (unless you are purchasing extras for yourself) as it will automatically be added to your order, as long as the minimum requirement is met). 

You can read more about this deal on the front page of my website and you can check out any sales happening as well.

Summary of the Fall/Winter 2025 Pantone Fashion Color Clay Recipes

After sharing the clay recipes for the Pantone seasonal colors, I like to have a summary posted.  It is then added to the page (see the tab at the top of this blog "Pantone Color Recipes") where you can find other clay recipes from the past years.  You can see that I have been mixing these colors up and sharing them for quite a few years.  The first ones I share here were in 2011.

So you can click on the color cube photos below to see the clay recipes I recently shared with you.  I would love to see anything you might have created in these colors and you could share them with us on our facebook page if you like.

Mocha Mousse

Pantone color of the Year for 2025

Clay Recipes for:

Primrose Pink, Damson, Hot Chocolate,

Bronze Brown, Chili Oil

Clay Recipes for:

Brandied Melon, Lemon Grass, Lyons Blue,

Poppy Red, Winterberry

Look for the new adapted recipes using Cernit Clay which will be posted in the near future.

Last five clay recipes for the Fall 2025 Pantone Fashion Colors

Here are the last five clay recipes for the 2025 Pantone Fall/Winter Fashion Colors.  I hope you find them inspiring and a great way to kick start your creativity.  With all the noise going on around us these days, it helps to distract oneself with some form of craft.  I have always found that working with polymer clay can be very calming.  Sometimes while I am just mixing my colors, my mind wanders and I can imagine various designs to create with them including various combinations.

The recipes posted here were created with Kato clay and I will be mixing up the same in Cernit clay over the next few weeks and will post those recipes here later.

Brandied Melon (Kato Clay)

2 parts Kato Orange

1 part Kato Magenta

1 part Kato Gold

4 parts Ecru Base #2-7

2 parts Kato Brown

Brandied Melon (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Lemon Grass (Kato Clay)

2 parts Kato Orange

1 part Kato Magenta

1 part Kato Gold

4 parts Ecru Base #2-7

2 parts Kato Brown

Lemon Grass (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Lyons Blue (Kato Clay)

4 x Kato Blue

1/2 part Kato Turquoise

1 part Kato Black

1 part Ecru Base #2-7 *

1/2 part Kato Pearl (optional)

Lyons Blue (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Poppy Red (Kato Clay)

(Can use the same recipe as Grenadine)

1 part Kato Red

1 part Kato Pearl

Poppy Red (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Winterberry (Kato Clay)

Use Clay Recipe #4-3 * (Pimento) 

Winterberry (Kato Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

* Note:  These clay color recipes are created using Kato clay.  Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.  And don't forget that our Tutorial lessons are on sale right now in our online store -- I have extended the sale to the end of the week -- Sunday, October 5.

More Fall 2025 Pantone Fashion Color Recipes

I am not sure how many of you out there have ever heard of Color Draping?  It was very popular back in the 1980's and 1990's.  I remember going to home "parties" where they determine your "seasonal" colors and then you purchase color swatches in those colors for color matching while shopping for clothes.  We were told that if someone compliments your outfit (but not yourself) then they are saying the outfit is nice but not necessarily in your proper seasonal color, otherwise they would tell you how nice "you" look (in that outfit).  I found it quite interesting and even though I somehow lost my color swatches a while back, I still remember that I was told I am a "Vivid Summer".  These are examples of the seasonal colors today and I noticed that the colors are somewhat similar but the titles have changed.

I had discovered that when I wear the colors from my palette, people always notice it and tell me how "that color really looks good on you" so it does make a difference.  I think that was what first really introduced me to color palettes or variations.  I use to paint, but never really developed a true love for mixing and combining color until I discovered polymer clay.  To me, polymer clay became the "3-D" version of color!

The other thing I noticed about this years fall/winter colors is that most of them have a red or brown tone or undertone which is a little unusual for the typical Pantone seasonal palettes.

So even if you are someone who likes to make jewelry (either for yourself or to sell) or someone who likes to wear jewelry or other accessories, these can be in colors to compliment the clothes in your own  wardrobe as an accent but does not necessarily have to be so "matchy".

I like making my clay tiles as they are great for matching items while shopping or looking for various combinations.  I have these listed in my online store (made to order) and will be available when my shipping issues are resolved (hopefully this week).

So here are some recipes to start out that I think could make some fun combinations with:

Primrose Pink (Kato Clay)

1/2 part Dusty Rose - Recipe #11-5 *

2 parts Ecru Mix #208 *

10 parts White

Primrose Pink (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Damson (Kato Clay)

2 parts Kato Violet

3 parts Crimson - Recipe #4-5 *

1 part Purple - Recipe #10-2 *

3 parts Ecru Base #2-7 *

Damson (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Hot Chocolate (Kato Clay)

Same as Recipe for Burnt Umber #3-2 *

but increase the red from 1 part to 1-1/2 parts

Hot Chocolate (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Bronze Brown (Kato Clay)

7 parts Burnt Umber #3-2 *

2 parts Kato Gold

1 part Kato Black

Bronze Brown (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

Chili Oil (Kato Clay)

Same as the recipe for Chili Pepper #4-4 *

Chili Oil (Cernit Clay)

Will be posted at a later date

* Note:  These clay color recipes are created using Kato clay.  Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.  And don't forget that our Tutorial lessons are on sale right now in our online store -- I have extended the sale to the end of the week -- Sunday, October 5.

I will be sharing the other 5 color recipes very soon.