(c) CraftTestDummies

For this project, I used:

• Pardo polymer clay in Olivine, Gold, and some Sculpey black
• metal bookplate
• jade beads
• cheap craft wire
• white acrylic paint
• metal letter stamps
• key charm & some large jumprings

I marbled the clay using a pasta machine, and then rolled out a sheet of clay on the largest setting. I doubled the sheet and used a brayer to eliminate air bubbles. The sheet needed to be just larger than the book plate I used.

Next I placed the bookplate on top of the clay and used a blade to cut around it. I flipped it over and trimmed away from where the holes were. Placing it right side up, I pushed the plate deep into the clay to create a domed effect.

Working carefully, I used the metal stamping tools to impress my word into the clay. Smooth any imperfections with your finger. Bake you piece as recommended.

When it’s done and cool, swipe some acrylic paint into the letter impressions. Wipe away the excess with a paper towel. Let this dry overnight. Lightly sand and buff your piece to get a high shine.

As you can see in my sample, I wired up a beautiful jade bead because the green went so well with the clay, but also because it’s purported to bring the wearer serenity, calm, and prosperity. I can use that!

My goal is to make one object a month focusing on my word, using different mediums. How are YOU expressing your One Little Word?

Pardo Polymer Clay, which is beeswax-based

I got a call last night from Christina (darling gal) from Viva Decor, giving me some scoop about the new Pardo clay they are bringing to CHA Winter in Anaheim. Since I’m going next week, I got super excited & took down the stats:

• The new clay is considered “professional grade” and will be firmer
• It will come in 14 primary colors for custom blending, plus a translucent.
• The translucent is so clear you can read through it, and it will not yellow.
• It’s the strongest, most flexible clay on the market.
• Price point is set at $3.49 per 2.1 oz blister pack.

They are also doing demos at CHA, which I hope to get on video for you. I was also invited to the 4 workshops that they are conducting during the trade show…so more info & techniques will be gleaned there!

Many of you read my teaser review on this blog, an my full review on CraftCritique. If not, click those links and see what is getting me excited!

Beeswax-Based Polymer Clay

One of the things I picked up at the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) trade show last summer made me tingle with anticipation- Pardo Polymer Clay!

Manufactured by Viva Decor, based in Germany, it’s the newest clay in the industry and has the distinction of being beeswax-based. It come is 70 yummy colors, and has some really cool “effects” clays, such as “glitter” and “transparent.”

Easy to work, it does have a few drawbacks- one of which is poor availability and a steep price tag.

Lisa Pavelka is the spokesperson for Pardo Polymer Clay

If you’d like to read my full review of the clay, click over to CraftCritique.com to see what I made & check out my view about the products pros and cons.

Craft on!

Here’s a round-up of some fun GITD products/crafts you can try out for yourself!

Polymer Clay

Both Fimo and Sculpey offer GITD clays that can be used alone or (in sparing amounts) mixed with other colors to tint. I’m partial to the Sculpey Shape and Bake Set (Glow in the Dark). You get 4 GITD colors (teal, yellow, orange and green, plus regular black and white) to stretch your imagination. Kids LOVE this set, because it appeals to both boys and girls. I mean, making glow-in-the dark robots or supervillians or fairies? Hello!! Uber-fun.

I have even heard a rumor that there is liquid polymer clays in different colors, but as far as I can tell there are only available from one small online source. I’ll have to get back to you on that!

Most major craft retailers will carry GITD clays, as well as some big-box stores. The sets retail for about $10.00.  You can readily find it online, too.

In the meanwhile, here are some links to cool craft tutorials using polymer clay that you can try yourself:

• Glow in the Dark Vicorian Bowl by Arlene Thayer
• Glow in the Dark Ghosties by Thomas Ojeda
• Glow in the Dark “Jade” by Adria Filion
• Skull Bead Tutorial from Creative Kismet- they use white clay, but grab your GITD clay and go wild!

Perler Beads

Remember Perler beads? They’re those little rascally beads that you place on a pegboard in your favorite design, cover with parchement paper, and fuse together with your iron. I remember these as a kid, and as long as your child is over 5 or so, this will amuse them to no end.  Make magnets, mobiles, note clips, and more. Why not make a constellation of planets and stars and double-stick-tape them to the ceiling? I really like the freedom and creativity with this craft- you can let the kids do their own thing!

Check out these cool Pac-Man coasters by Hamalorios:

found on Spritestitch.com

GITD Perler beads are available at most craft retailers in the kids’ crafts section, but I’ve also seen them at Target…so check out the craft ailse at the big-box stores, too. The kits go for about 10 bucks, so it won’t break the bank!

Foamie Craft Sheets and Stickers

Found at Amazon.com

While wandering up and down the sticker aisle, I found a plethora of “Foamies” stickers- moons, stars, combo packs, and the like. However for MY money, I dig the plain-old GITD foam sheet. It’s big (9X12) and cheap (under 2 bucks) and you can cut it, stamp it, sew it, or glue it! What about making your little one’s mask out of GITD foam? Soft on the face, and it’ll show up to passing motorists. Add a GITD crest to a plain ol’ cape to elevate you Super-hero to super-star heights!

You can even cut shapes out of the foam and pin it on your pumpin instead all of the messy carving!

The sheets I’ve seen are made by Darice, and they are available at Pat Catan’s. You’ll have to check the big-box stores and craft retailers, but I’m guessing that they won’t be hard to find during the fall crafting season. Prices vary for sticker kits, but the sheets are pretty cheap! Online sites like Amazon.com and Oriental Trading are good resources, too.

Ok, enough GITD goodness for today…but there will be more tomorrow!

• brands of clays and their properties
• prepping clay
• texturizing
• release agents
• application of pigments
• tools
• curing
• ….and some of my own little tips!

We jammed a lot into the 3 hours, and I wanted to share what I made as samples…

I made the hearts to demonstrate texturizing clay…. and think they’re pretty cute.

When I got home I decided to “punk” it– or Steampunk it, as it were, by adding some watchparts. I used Lisa Pavelka’s Magic Glos UV curing resin to encapsulate the metal bits. (Read my review of that product here.)

Then I had THIS:

I think it’s wicked cool. Gonna add an extra backing and a bale, and wear this bad boy!

((NOTE: I saw something similar over at Eugenia’s Creations, and bought the tutorial. My printer is down, so I haven’t read the instructions YET, but this is what I came up with using her original design. Go check out her blog, and you’ll find links to her Esty Shop. Great stuff!)))

Anyway, just wanted to remind ya’ll of my previous post of great resources for polymer clay basics…. check them out and get claying!

So I’m really excited to share that CF Originals is offering a FREE download of the SteamPunk Heart project (among some other free-bees and “for-cost” projects, as well as some tools/materials.) Not to mention eye-candy.

A "Mom and Me" class!

We’ll be making a polymer clay gift set with a pin and coordinating keepsake tin. We’ll fashion a block of clay into a great gift for your favorite Mom or Grandma or to keep. Class fee of $42 includes all materials.  Age 10 and up may work independantly but under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. (Or adults can come sans child….grownups are welcome!)
visit http://www.grandriverbeads.com/calendar.html to see the sample and sign up online!

Anyway, Eva posted this piece she made…and I’m so proud she used one of my beads for her project. Pretty swell, huh??

My Bead, Eva's Wire Artistry!

It’s also food for thought- there are plenty of art groups out there on the web that provide you with some support and inspiration!

I did promise, however, to put some of my favorite resources up for polymer clay. If you are new to clay and need technical assistance, or just need some fresh inspiration, you might want to check out these links:

• Glass Attic offers a polymer clay “encyclopedia”
• Polymer Clay Express is online shopping, plus forums and a blog
• Crafty Goat is also shopping, and her blog is filled with tutorials. A personal fave!
• Desired Creations by Desiree McCrorey has great how-tos, inspiration, and eye-candy
• Ohio Clayers is our Yahoo group, trying to “grow up” into a guild someday!
• The National Polymer Clay Guild – there is a cost to join, but it’s a wealth of info, links, and ideas!

I hope that you’ll get some good ideas and help from these sites, and bookmark them. Oh, and mine too!

Luscious Layers- Available at Grand River Beads