Round and Round We Go...

I find lentil swirls so mesmerizing and it seems once you get the hang of making them from polymer clay, you are hooked for life!

We finally found a new use for our lentil beads and are now creating a whole new line of Candy Swirl Buttons.

I've been working on my technique so I can cut my lentil swirls in half and embed our handcrafted wire shanks without distorting the swirl pattern and yet also maintaining a consistent size and shape.

I've also been experimenting with different effects on our swirls like in the ones shown below.  The swirl button on the left was carved and then backfilled with clay and the swirl on the right was carved and then highlighted with acrylic paints.  I really like the backfilled one but took a lot more work and elbow grease when it came time to sanding -- but then again -- that is what I have my claymate, Dave for!  He keeps saying he is more than just a pretty face and when it comes to times like these I have to agree with him!  lol!

Which effect do you like best?

Feather Fun

I've been experimenting with some new techniques and had some fun trying out Dona Kato's feather cane. I had some Honeysuckle colored clay still sitting on my worktable from the other day so decided to go with it.  I like the color combination and discovered the cane ends made a pretty lentil swirl as well.

I have some more new pieces in the oven and will show them to you tomorrow...