I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of my visitors for such nice comments. I am glad you are all enjoying my "Teach Me" Blog. I enjoy writing it.
I have had some medical problems lately and have been behind in my writing. I am presently working on some great topics so visit often for new lessons.
I also have a new blog named "Living with Lupus"
http://lupusinmylife.blogspot.com
Pretty self-explanatory. If you live with lupus come read my story maybe my experiences will help you with your journey dealing with lupus. Enjoy.
Also, My Etsy store is offering free shipping with any order. Visit my store for more information. http://www.susanscraftcorner.etsy.com
Our pet contest entries are filling up fast. The deadline for "sleeping Beauties" is the end July 2010. Get your entries in soon to win gift certificates to Susan's Craft Corner. For more information go to http://www.susanscraftcorner.com
Until next time folks. Stay happy and healthy!
Susan Larivee, Owner & Operator
Susan's Craft Corner.com
I have read a few different ways to make clay beads which I will gladly share with you.
Some think that a clay necklace could become heavy depending on the size of the bead, the amount of clay beads used, and of course the length of the necklace. In this case it has been sugguested that a ball of foil can be used as a base ball to lighten the piece. Simply roll balls of foil all the same size. Place the clay cane slices onto the foil ball.
I found with this technique that your cane slices need to be thicker. You want the clay to completely cover the foil ball. This technique accomplishes a lighter wieght piece of jewelry as it states. I only use the foil-base if my pieces are large other than that I prefer a clay base ball for my beads.
Clay balls are what is commonly perfered as a base for a clay cane bead. You could use the base-ball as part of the design by incorporating a translusive clay into a cane. I have no examples for you for that type of bead design but I will work on one. Also, using the same color clay base ball as your cane can help create design of the bead. As you work more and more with clay canes you quickly adapt to it's diversity and what can be created. Anything goes...so have fun!
Colors and Clay
Below are a few colors I have exspirenmented with myself but, I am sure there might be a slight difference in color depending on what shade of "blue" you used. Do your own exspirementing for the shade your looking to achieve.
Antigue White = white + yellow 12:1 ( 12 equal parts to 1 equal part)
Neutral Gray = white +blue + burnt umber 1:1:1
Olive Green = burnt umber + yellow + blue 1:1:1
Light Leaf Green = yellow + blue 4:1
Dark Flesh = red + burnt umber +yellow + white 1:1:1:1
Pale Yellow = white + yellow 2:1
Here is where your pasta machine can really make a difference in mixing the colors completly. I found some great sites for you to view. They all have a great professional insite on clay colors.
I hope this was helpful in planning your next project that involes colors.
Susan
P.S. A must go see link below on color recipes. Cindy Lietz has some great vidoes that teach much about mixing colors. Cindy has inspired me to get involved in creating with clay. She has great posts. She is always a position writer and just is real good at what she does. Please see her views on creating color with her color receipes. She is fantastic!
http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-color-recipes-blue-african-violet-premo-sculpey/8020/
There are several types of clay. Some clays do not need conditioning. I enjoy using polymers clay in my work. To learn more about Polymers Clay go to:
http://www.eugenascreations.com/polymer-clay-beginners-tutorial.html
The polymers clay I use needs to be baked in a toaster oven to become hard. Some polymers clay can be air dry but, I am not familiar with that type. I suggest you research different clays to find out what is best for your planned projects. Here are some links I think might be helpful:
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/clay/a/playclay.htm
http://www.eugenascreations.com/polymer-clay-types-tutorial.html
Before we begin using the clay it need be conditioned. Unwrap the clay in break it in sections. Hold in hand to warm the clay. Then flatten the clay. Place pasta machine on highest setting (9). (Note: Once pasta machine is used for clay it cannot be used for food). Do not force clay through machine. The clay needs to go through the pasta machine several times on each setting (10 to 15 times). Fold the clay and place it in the pasta machine fold first to prevent air bubbles. The clay will become smooth and shinny making it very easy to work.
When your clay is conditioned you are ready to begin your project. Conditioning the clay is necessary so the clay will not bubble when baked. Click below for a great website I found for beginners.
http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/masterindex.html#lessonsprojects
Pasta machine should be cleaned each time you change color. To clean your pasta machine use isopropyl alcohol. Be sure to clean completely after each use.
Bye for now
Susan Larivee, Owner and Operating
Susan's Craft Corner
http://susanscraftcorner.etsy.com to visit my store
I created this necklace for a very close friend and thought I would share how it was made. It was sooo... fun to make. The idea came from an article I had read in May/June 2009 issue of "Today's Creative Home Arts" The magazine is generated from the Home Arts Club which I am a life time member. This is a fabulous bi-monthly magazine and totally worth every penny. Check out the website! www.creativehomeartsclub.com by becoming a member you can enter some great contests, get patterns, enter give-a-ways, and more.
This piece was created by first making a clay cane jelly-roll snake using three colors. After the cane is created you will take an old credit card and push length wide into cane snake making several indentations. Reduce the cane and let set for about 20 minutes. This will make the cane easier to slice. Notice how the old credit card created the clay to drag together making it appear like rose peddles. Cool huh!
While your cane is resting, so to speak. You could begin to roll scrap clay balls or what-ever the shape you plan to make your beads. I made several shapes. Put aside. Now with a very sharp blade begin to slice your cane. Thin slices are all you need to create your bead.
Slice the cane giving you several pieces to work with. The clay balls now will come into play. With a tooth pick carefully grab the slice on the side of the slice so you do not make a hole in the slice and place on your clay ball. As seen below.
After you have placed you slices around the clay ball I use a piece of glass to roll and smooth the slices onto clay ball. By using the glass it eliminates fingerprints in the clay and the friction gives the bead a nice smooth surface. My work space is on a large slab of glass. So glass on the bottom and a piece of glass for rolling.
After rolling the bead you want to make your holes. After making your hole you want to take cornstarch to again rid any finger prints and create a smooth surface. The beads are then placed on a piece of card stock that has been folded like a fan creating wells in the cardstock. This is so bead does not bake with flatten areas. Bake your beads in a toaster oven following the directions on your clay package. Remember be sure the toaster oven is just used for clay. Making food in the oven after baking clay is NOT recommended.
Above you can see some of the finished product. I would change one thing if I was to create this project again. The beads above were sanded and glazed. I would have to go with my tumbler procedure that is dicussed in my article "Sanding Clay Beads" to create a more natural shine of the clay. The glaze is nice but as you can see with one of the above beads the glaze tends to drip making more work in re-sanding and re-glazing.
I am making a whole line of this beautiful design and should be on my webpage by the third week of February 2010. So please check out my new webpage and add to your favs for new up-coming products I know you will love!
I would love to see some of your finished products if you choose to use this idea. If you have any questions I will be checking this blog often to guide you through.
Have fun!
Susan
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