A New Tutorial to Start off the New Year

The new year has been off to a slow start for us but we've been able to spend some time with family we hadn't seen in a while so that is nice.  I traded in some of my claying time over the holidays to do some baking and cooking up a few special meals instead which Dave has really appreciated!

We have accomplished a few things, however, this year so far though.  We've managed to list more items in our online store and I finally published my new tutorial, "From Scrap Clay to Art Deco"!

We always end up with so much left-over clay that we call scrap but it is never wasted.  We will sometimes mix it up to create new colors or use it as filler for beads.  We also love making Natasha beads or creating with Stropple canes and one day while playing around I discovered this fun new way to create bold and funky Art Deco patterns.

In my 16 page lesson I share my new technique along with a Kaleidoscope variation and tips on combining your scrap clay to achieve the best results.

Art Deco Kaleidoscope Variation

I also show an easy method to frame your designs to create buttons or jewelry pieces plus 2 full pages of photos for ideas and inspiration.

My new tutorial is now for sale in our Etsy shop as an instant download or if you do not want to pay the extra VAT tax, you can purchase it from our online store and we will e-mail it directly to you.

This is a fun new way to create new designs from your scrap.  We like to use the Art Deco patterns to create bracelet tiles, buttons, cabochons for our interchangeable "Snaps" and even create Tessellation patterns.

Bracelet Tiles

Tessellation variation

Interchangeable Fashion in a "Snap"

More Finished Pieces

I've been experimenting with kaleidoscope and tessellation canes using different color blends and combinations.  This is a brooch-pendant combo with some earrings to match.

I also finished some focal beads using the CaBezels to go with the lizard tails I showed you yesterday.  I just have to make some spacer beads and can put them together.  I really love the Tangerine set and may have a difficult time parting with it.

Catching Up

I look forward to starting my day every morning at the computer with my usual blog reading and catching up on e-mails.  I find it is a good way to get me batteries charged before I head into the studio for the day.  Polymer Clay Daily is at the top of my read list and yesterdays post gave me the kick start I needed.  She asked if we have designs marinating in our studio waiting to be finished.  Well we did -- and quite a few at that.  I love creating with the clay and after they are baked Dave helps me with the sanding and finishing.  If they are buttons, brooches or earrings they generally get photographed right away and then Dave takes care of the packaging and tagging.  If they need to be put together in bracelets or necklaces, they are put into a special drawer and for later.  Well these pieces had been piling up and so I decided to get at them finally and finish a few off.  Here is one set finished made from a combination of a tessellation cane and Natasha (inside out) beads.  The Natasha beads were made from the left over scraps of the tessilation cane so coordinated quite well.

At times I find I have a real inspiration and make my clay pieces.  When I go to put it together, however, I get stuck as I find it needs something more or it didn't turn out just the way I expected so it sits until I get another idea on how to finish it off.  So these here, for example, are future brilliance just waiting for inspiration.