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.

Crochet Hook Sale - in time for Mother's Day!

I am disappointed, but not surprised, when I got a call that my stove would not be arriving (a month ago) and that it was again on back order.  The next date was possibly in 2 more weeks from now but when I checked, I was told that it could be a very long time yet before I would receive it.  Apparently this appliance shortage (among many other things) is much bigger than imagined.  So I decided to do something about it and went in search of any stove (with a convection oven) that was available and was fortunate to find one in stock here in town.  It will be arriving next week and so I can finally get back to baking my clay (and food without burning it) very soon.

In the meantime, I do have plenty of items in stock that would make excellent mother's day gifts so I am starting right now with all my (individual) crochet hooks at 30% off.  These are already made up and in stock and since I cannot create any new ones at the moment, I will not be taking any special orders as of yet.  These are a popular item of ours and so once a size/color is gone, it may not be back again.

If you know someone with arthritis or carpel tunnel and has difficulty crocheting, these hooks are ergonomic and very comfortable to hold in your hand.  They are my own design and many customers have shared with me how much they love them. 

The sale on our crochet hooks ends this Sunday, April 18, 2021

Use the coupon code:

crochet30

at the checkout to receive your 30% off discount

Shop Now

And we have many other items on sale (overstock and clearance) in our online store.  Simply click on the "Items Option" tab (left hand side) and click on the "on sale" box.  These items have already been reduced so no coupon code is needed.

Huge Sale on Snap Supplies!

I can hardly believe that winter is starting to set in and that Christmas is just around the corner.  My first Christmas show for the year is already this Sunday.  I will be at the Kamloops Craft-a-Fair in the same location as the past 8 years.

If you are working on your Christmas shows or thinking of making your own gifts this year, I am having a huge Flash Sale of 35% off all my Snap Supplies! -- but hurry as this does not happen often and it is only for a few days!  Sale ends Friday, November 2, midnight.

* Use Coupon Code:    SNAPS35OFF

at the checkout in my online store.

* Prices are in Canadian currency

* Shipping is a flat fee --
-- no matter how much you purchase!!

* Free shipping with a minimum purchase

(after any discount codes have been applied)

If you haven't purchased my Snap Decisions Tutorial but have been thinking about it, that is on sale right now too!  The price has already been reduced so no coupon code is necessary.  As a bonus, if you purchase the Parts 1 & 2 tutorial package, you will receive your own personal and permanent discount code for 25% off anything in our snap supply section.

Notice:  If you have purchased this tutorial and never received a permanent discount code and would like to receive one, contact me with your request.

German Glass Glitter in Resin Snaps

So I have been playing with some new colors in the German Glass Glitter I recently purchased from Shades of Clay and embedding it into resin to create some cool snaps.  This glitter is lovely as it is actual cut glass and not the typical cheap glitter you find at the craft stores.  Of course I had to experiment with combining colors and creating a few blends.  In my world, mono colors are nice but mixes are more exciting.

Sky Blue (left), Amethyst (right) and combination of the two (top)

Chartreuse (left), Sky Blue (right) and Combination of the two (top)

  

Our huge sale on everything in our online store has been a success so far and is still on until Sunday night so don't miss out!  We do have a lot of items in stock but some items are almost or already sold out so don't delay if there is some special thing you had your eye on.

Winter Blues

Valentines day has come and gone and I have to say I survived without my sweetheart here.  We always celebrated it as our "other" anniversary because that is the day we met.  Well not really.  We knew each other for several years before then and were good friends but then went our separate ways and lost touch.  We later bumped into each other unexpectedly on Valentines day in 1986 and to make a long story short, we were married at Christmas that same year.

So I have had my head buried in clay quite a bit lately.  I find it very therapeutic and I don't feel sorry for myself as much that way.  It also helps when the weather is so depressing outside with tons of  snow to shovel along with the bitter cold.

So to beat the winter blues I decided I need to move some inventory and so having a big sale in our online store.  Right now until Sunday night, everything is 30% off.  And that means absolutely everything!

So if you are looking for snap supplies -- 30% off!
Would like some scarf jewelry or clips? -- 30% off!
Even my tutorials and buffing pads are 30% off!

Just enter the coupon code:   winter30off  at the checkout and your total will be reduced.

So get shopping and remember that our shipping is a flat fee no matter how much you buy and we also have free shipping with a $75 minimum within Canada and $100 minimum to the US.  Other countries we have a reduced tracked packet shipping rate.  (The free shipping amounts are after any discount codes are applied)

Huge Scarf Jewelry Sale

We have created quite a few scarf necklaces in a wide range of designs for the holiday season.  We had several upcoming shows planned but had to cancel due to my hubby (claymate) Dave, ending up in the hospital.  It will be a long haul for us as he is expected to be in for another 6 weeks at least.  As long as his health improves, I can rest a little easier though.

In the meantime we have some inventory we need to sell and there is still plenty of time for them to arrive to wear to that special  Christmas or New Year Eve's party.  These also make fabulous gifts for any scarf lover.  So we are having a HUGE sale in our online store.  All of our "Classic" style scarf jewelry sets are 40% off!  This is our original style scarf necklace design which includes one of our ultra-soft and luxurious linen scarves in a color choice that is provided.

Each scarf necklace listed in our store is an original and you will receive the exact pieces that is shown (first come first served).  They will arrive on their own special hanger for storing and wrapped in a beautiful organza pouch.

So to receive your 40% off discount in our online store,

enter the coupon code:

scarf40

at the check-out.

Remember that our prices in our online store are in Canadian currency and shipping charges are a flat fee no matter how much you buy.   Shipping is also free to Canada and the U.S. with a minimum purchase (after any discounts are applied).  This sale is on until midnight Friday, December 8.

Big Sale on All of our Tutorials!

So here is our first surprise sale right now -- All of our tutorial lessons are 50% off both in our online store and in our Etsy shop.  To get your discount, simply enter the coupon code:  HALFOFF at the check-out in either store.  See the links below to shop our tutorials and save.

Our tutorials in our Etsy shop are instant download so if you are from Europe, you will be subject to pay the extra tax.  Any tutorials sold in our online store will be sent to the e-mail address you provide.  You may notice a price difference between the two shops and that is because our Etsy shop is in US dollars and our online store is in Canadian currency.

This offer is for three days only and ends midnight Thursday, (Pacific Standard Time).  You can purchase as many and often as you like until that time.

Special for Father's Day

Father's Day is just around the corner and if you are looking for something special for him we have some unique jewelry in our men's section of our online shop.  We have cuff links, tie clips and leather necklaces all with an interchangeable snap base.  You just need the basic pieces and add a selection of decorative snaps to create several looks.

And now until midnight, June 9 (next Friday) take 20% off any items purchased from our Men's Snap Collection.  Enter the coupon code shown in the photo below:

And if you would prefer to make your own Father's Day gift or would like to start making your own interchangeable snaps from clay, we have another deal.  All of our Snap Decisions tutorials are half price for the entire month of June. 

Plus when you purchase your tutorial, you will receive your very own coupon code for 20% off your first order of Snap bulk supplies!

This offer is through our online store only.  The good news is that any of our tutorials purchased will be sent directly to your e-mail address as a PDF file which means if you are from Europe you will not have to pay any extra tax.

Snap into Spring!

It is springtime and we have been busy creating new designs in  spring and summer colors.  Our online "webstore shelves" are filling up with more items and our "Snap Decisions" Collection has expanded with even more selection.

We have also added more items to our "Snap Supply" section.  Some of our favorite items are now available in multiples and items such as the blank snap bezels are in larger bulk quantities.

Did you know that our snaps that we sell will fit into other commercial brand snap jewelry?  And, did you know that there are several snap jewelry companies that all take the same size (regular - not mini) snap?

When I first discovered the snap jewelry findings (over a year ago), I came across only two companies that sold them and now several more have sprouted up since.  This is all very exciting as more people will be looking for other pieces to expand their interchangeable jewelry collection!  We have many snap base findings available that are similar to what the other companies offer but the main difference between our "snap designs" is that they are all original and handcrafted works of art instead of mass produced by a factory.

The snaps are also so much fun to make.  I haven't found a clay technique that will not work with them yet!

If you would like to make your own "snaps" with polymer clay and need some ideas or help to get started, my tutorial can help you a lot.  I show how to "prep" the snaps so you can add any of your clay designs to them without the need for any glue.

And if you would like to make your own snap base findings from clay, my second (part 2) tutorial will show you how.

So for this month only, we are having a huge promotion on both our tutorial and our snap supplies to get you started.

Purchase our combined part 1 and 2 of our Snap Decisions tutorial for only $10 U.S. ($13 Cdn.).  That is like buying Part 1 and receiving Part 2 for free.  This special offer is available from our Etsy Shop (as an instant download) and in our online store where both tutorials will be sent out by e-mail.

And to get you started with your own snap supplies, receive 10% off your entire order from our online store by using the coupon code:  Aprilsave10

This offer is good until the end of April and remember that our online store is in Canadian dollars.  This means for fellow Canadians, you do not have to pay the high exchange for U.S. prices and if you are from the U.S. you can save even more, as for every dollar spent in our store, only costs you about 76 cents!

So join the fun and snap into spring!

Pantone Fall 2013 Fashion Colors and Carolyn's Clay Color System

I've gained a lot more followers over the past few years since I first introduced my Clay Color System and I realize many of you might not be familiar.  As a continuation of my tutorial, I have been sharing with you my color recipes for the Spring and Fall Pantone Fashion Reports using Kato clay.  You can see links to past color recipes I have posted on the above tab of this blog, titled, "Polymer clay color recipes & tips".

My Clay Color System is a simple method to learn how to mix and combine color as well as organizing those color samples and even your clay.  It includes over 50 of my own color recipes, some of which are "base mixes" for creating shades or tints to get you started on your way to creating new colors of your own.

You can purchase my tutorial as an instant download in our Etsy Shop.

or in our online store -- (you will have to wait for it to be e-mailed to you).

Holiday Specials in our Art Fire Studio

We have a few items for sale in our Art Fire Studio this weekend.  Our stocking stuffer special is still on  -- mix and match -- buy any 3 items in our $10 gift section for $25.  We have 2 more Christmas fairs to attend yet for this year -- this weekend and next weekend and some of the items in our shop are selling fast so no guarantee what will be in stock after then.

All our Chandelier Candle Collar sets are on special for $25 U.S. (regular $35 U.S.)  That is $10 off.  These are our own design and are all one of a kind -- no one makes anything like these.

 

We have some Holiday Style Jewelry in our studio for sale as well.  Everything in the Holiday Special section is 15% off.   Prices will be reduced at the check-out when you enter the coupon code:  Merry Christmas.

 

Summer Floral Garden

Some of our floral designs that are perfect for summer.   They are all included in our 25% off sale as well!  You will find them in the Floral Garden Section of our Art Fire Studio.