My style has changed completely

Ever since I completed my bead soup project my style has changed completely, and I feel for the better. I have less fear of mixing materials, metals, and different mediums to create unique and dynamic works. I've began to incorporate ribbons, vintage finding, wire in more eccentric combinations.   I'm happy with this new turn and I hope you feel the same. Please comment and give constructive criticism.

 Also for the first time in years I am making earrings to compliment my new style of necklaces.

Many of my findings are from Nirvana jewelry supply and B'Sue boutiques
The incredable ribbons are from B'Sue as well .

Free bead Soup

In honor of the big free bead soup reveal this week I've set up a surprise for you all today, free bead soup.  A peacock feather polymer clay focal, vintage gold tone clasp ,silk sari ribbon,  lots of beautiful glass and stone beads, will be given away  Monday 9-26-11 . All you have to do is comment on this post and a winner will be chosen at random to receive these beads for free.  Good luck and enjoy...

Sorry about the delay on the free beads

Sorry I'm running behind.I have not been feeling well lately and have yet to set up the free bead Monday post.  I also have not been able to get to the post office, as I've let myself isolate in my home for the past few weeks. I am going out tomorrow even if it's raining skittles to send out the past few weeks winners delayed beads. I'm sending along a little something extra as an apology for being so behind. Unfortunately sometimes I get this way then pop back out of my hole like the preverbal ground hog. So head popping time it is, did that sound write?.... any way congratulations Firefly Visions is this week's winner. Just send me your address and when I face the sun tomorrow I will send out your pretties as well.

Faux Enamel Tutorial One Polymer Clay

Yea finally got the opportunity today to start working on the enamel tutorial so here we go

 I will do two different examples side by side. One will be a butterfly using a few different effects, and the second will be as I build a steam punk themed pin with an enamel feature.

You will need

Pearly powder colors

A pointed end tool

Deep red brown clay

Detail clear or transparent embossing powder

Paper or wax paper

To start chose your clay. I like to use a dark burnt Siena color as I find it shows off the pearlex colors better than others. If you want a light airy look , like with the small dragon fly bead on the latest free bead monday giveaway, use transparent clay.  I will also use black but for the faux enamel on the buterfly, but for the circle that will be with metal tones I find the deeper red brown tones work the best. I

Roll out your clay and cut out your starting shapes, in the case a butterfly and large circle

First is my favorite texture. radiating short line made by pressing a pointed end tool at an angle into clay. As seen in these following photos. Notice on the circle how the lines build outwards with shorter lines towards the edges. This causes a beautiful pattern that will grab the pearly powders and allow the light to bounce back and forth on the surface.  On the butterfly I will build the same effect with the pointed tool but in smaller sections mimicking the veins on the butterfly wings.

To the left side of the butterfly impress your favorite stamp, the impressions in the clay will work like the lines giving the light something to bounce off of and an interesting pattern to play up with the pealex powders.

Next is the fun part, with a soft paint brush start applying your colors. In this case I find applying the darkest color first and building up and out with the lighter works best.

First the dark violet, than purple, blue, and finally green.

On the butterfly start out the same with the violet, purple and blue but before adding the green take a small piece of felt or any low nap fabric and rub of the top layer of powder to expose the black. This will make a surface that has the clays natural tacky adherence ready to accept a lighter color.  Since I only want the light green to be on the top layer I dip my finger in the powder and gently rub across the now tacky top surface.  By using my finger instead of the brush, the green will only adhere to the top surface and leave the crevices the darker contrasting colors. This will help bring out your pattern

Now to finish out the design, on the butterfly I add some curly lines by rolling out black clay and attacking with liquid sculpy. On the steam punk broach I add different elements I've assembled also with the liquid sculpy.  

On the butterfly I want the finished project to be smooth and glossy on the surface. For this I will need to build an enclosed frame around the shape to hold in the embossing powder so it does not simply run of the sloped sides.  Remember embossing powder is basically finally ground plastic that you melt and it will run and pools like any liquid and needs a container when used heavily. 

For the smooth surface you will need to use a lot of embossing powder. Just poor some on both sides and use a clean soft brush to spread around. You want to fully cover all the surfaces except the highest points of the black lines and frame.

The butterfly is ready to go in the oven and bake

On my steam punk broach I have a lot or high relief details, so a smooth surface would defeat the purpose of adding these elements. Instead I want a thin protective coating from the embossing powder and then on the round faux enamel feature I will apply additional powder.  

When polymer clay is still raw the embossing powder will natural adhere even on surfaces that have pearlex powders applied.  I have a separate jar of l powder set aside that I use to build up the following thin layers. I keep all the embossing powder for the next example separate as bits of powder or loose clay can come off. I want clean powder to add thickly with no blemishes when creating a thick layer that mimics epoxy resin.

Place your piece on a clean sheet of paper and sprinkle the powder all over. Lift and gently shake to release any additional. A thin layer of the embossing powder will stay on. Use your paper to funnel back in the left over powder

Now all you have to do is add additional powder to the areas you want a smother surface. In these cases around the gears to mimic epoxy and on the blue faux enamel areas.

Bake in your oven and enjoy

See how the top is smooth and shiny

Here are a few examples of steampunk badges I have made using the embossing powder to create both a sealing protective layer and faux enamel.

This is my first tutorial. So please help me with constructive criticism to improve for the future.

And ask any questions you might have

One of my Secrets Revealed

Sorry I haven't finished the enamel tutorial as yet. It's been a crazy but good week. I will be working on it this weekend. In the mean time I would like to show off some steam punk hearts I have crafted lately and share one of my secrets. Notice how in deep areas around the gears it looks like resin, or for that case the whole piece looks coated in a shiny resin like sheen. Well guess what, it's not resin, its detail clear embossing powder. When polymer clay is uncured a thin coating of embossing powder will naturally adhere and when baked create a flawless thin protective coating. When applied thicker it will pool in crevices and mimic resin. The main difference is that the embossing powder will pull towards the edge of a frame making a concave puddle instead of a more converse or beveled surface like resin.  Play with embossing powder you will be surprised. Do not try to use a heat gun as it will blow all the powder away, instead with the oven open; place your piece  at least 6 inches from the heating element on low broil. It will only take a few seconds to melt so be ready to move it away from the heat with a trusty potholder or tongs. If the piece does not look completely melted or a bit cloudy around the edges give it another10-15 seconds.   Have fun and don't forget to take precautions when using and oven. Review the product you are using and follow any warnings about fumes est.

What did I get myself into

The Path to the perfect craft room is paved with many easy to assemble stepping stones.

Today I went a little crazy. Micheal's had 50 percent off coupons all over the place and I decided to buy some craft tables and organization cabinets. At this moment they are all over the floor and my kitten is trying to help me.  I posted some pre craft room clean up picks a few weeks ago. Now hopefully in a week or so I will have some completed Craft room pics. It will get completed wright?  Also I will be working on some great tutorials. I will start with refinishing the metal findings and beads to look enamelled. Hope you have all had a great Labor Day weekend and been able to bring some lovely creations into the world with your crafting.

Free bead Monday

Free bead Monday is going Green for Labor Day.  I've picked out a cute little dragonfly, a green themed toggle and some pretty swirled lintels.  The lintels are un-pierced but I will drill them for the winner if needed. Just comment on this Post to win. I will announce the winner 09-12-11. good luck and have fun creating.