Learn to Upcycle an Old Leather Belt into a Bracelet cuff

Hi All.  Join me in my studio as we upcycle a thrift store leather belt into a fabulous fall inspired bracelet cuff.  Learn to cut the belt, add snaps, paint and finish your cuff.  See the tools/materials list below the video link. Hope you enjoy.

Tools
Leather hole punch or nail
Snap setter
Hammer
Utility knife
Paint brush
Pen or Sharpie

Materials
Old leather belt
Snaps - I used Tandy Line 20
Paint - compatible with leather
Fingernail polish - acetone
Cosmetic sponge
Cotton wipe

#LoveFallArt - SWD Polymer Clay Fall Tree Mixed Media Panel

Hi All, I tried something new by making a polymer clay fall tree mixed media panel.  I've never done any kind of polymer clay wall art so I thought I would stretch creatively to meet the YouTube Creative Arts Collaboration theme for September - #LoveFallArt.  The colors in the panel are beautiful fall colors with a stylized tree which has dropped its leaves.

In this tutorial I show you what can go wrong in the studio and how to fix it.  Because I'm inexperienced in doing this type of art, I used the wrong kind of panel.  What a disaster but there's very little that can't be saved if you're willing to keep trying.  Plus you'll know what not to do next time!  LOL  I hope you enjoy this project.  You'll find the tools and materials list following the video.  Leave me a comment or ask questions, I really love hearing from you.  Thanks for joining me in my studio.

Tools
Oven
Pasta machine
Acrylic roller
Clay blade
Craft knife
Paint brush - for paint and sealer
Sponge brush (optional)


Materials
Clay - scrap in tan/brown, blue and green/red/orange families
Weldbond or liquid polymer clay
Masonite or other oven safe board
Burnt Umber acrylic paint
Sandpaper - 320 grit
Sealer - Future floor wax, Varathane or other

#pawgustart - SWD Polymer Clay Tutorial - Birdcage Necklace

Here’s a fun project using an embossing folder that scrapbookers and mixed media artists use.  The design is by Darice and it has 5 different birdcage designs.  I loved the design and since it has birds, it fits the theme for this month’s YouTube Creative Arts Collaboration event.  Go on YouTube and search for #pawgustart to see all the videos by the over 300 artists in the group.

In this project we’ll make a birdcage necklace using polymer clay.  We’ll make bead dangles to enhance the design and basic jewelry making tools and materials.  Right after the video is the tools/materials list.  Hope you enjoy this project.

 

Tools

Pasta machine

Acrylic rod

Embossing folder – Darice Birdcage

Craft knife

Baking tile

Oven

Jewelry pliers

Paint brush

Sanding container

Drill or needle tool – drill bit size to fit jump rings

Materials

Polymer clay – just over half block of Sculpey Premo! silver or clay of your choice, just make sure it’s strong enough for jewelry

Paint – black

Sandpaper – 240 and 400 grit wet/dry

Beads – jet black briolette beads – large 8 ea, small 16 ea

Bead caps to fit briolette – 24 ea

Jump rings – 18 ea - 6mm (approx.); 8 ea – 3mm (approx.)

Head pins – 24 ea

Varathane or other gloss sealer – optional

Chain – 7” (approx.)

Clasp – toggle or other

Polymer Clay Birdhouse with Gnome

My first attempt to cover wood with polymer clay and my first sculpted figure.

A co-worker had made birdhouses from reclaimed wood and offered a couple of them.  He has a love of garden gnomes so in exchange, I created this fanciful piece with a purple roof, grass, flowers, a blue bird and of course, the garden gnome.



Turned out great.  Here's the pictures.
 

SWD - Oh No! I Burned my Clay. Can this piece be saved?

In the last video series I created a tassel pendant.  The ones you see are not my first attempts.  I originally planned a bright, summery pendant with bright yellow, orange and purple.  Almost a retro look.  Unfortunately, because the clay covering is relatively thin, I burned and scorched the clay.  The result was a sad, dark mess.  The piece was destined for the trash but really, with the time I put into creating it, and the fact that I liked the shape, I decided to see what I could do to save it.  So, I used bronze, heavy body paint, I antiqued it and added a bunch of Swarovski crystals for some bling. Added a gold tassel, and I'm happy with the result.  So, see what you can do to save those not so perfect pieces.  Here's the video on the process. Have you ever burned a piece?  What did you do?  Let me know in the comments.  Hope you enjoy the video.

#lovesummerart SWD Polymer Clay Tassel Pendant Tutorial

There’s something exciting happening in the YouTube art community.  Over 250 YouTube art/craft/how to channels have formed a community!  Thanks to Cinammon Cooney (theartsherpa), Clive Powell (clive5art), Sigrid Soto (secretsoto) and Ginger Cook (gingercooklive) for getting the group started.  This should be a fun collaboration and a supportive group.  I hope you visit the Facebook page to connect with the content creators participating.

My entry is a series of three videos on how to make a polymer clay tassel pendant.  I’ll show you how to create the pendant, make the tassel and do finishing work so you have a wearable work of art.  I hope you enjoy my entry and use the #lovesummerart (same hash tag on Facebook) to see of all of the unique and interesting videos showcased by these talented artists.   See below the videos for the tools and materials list.

Here are the tools and materials for my project.

Tools

Drill or needle tool

Craft knife

Clay blade

Oven

Pasta machine or roller

Texture plate

Scissors

Old credit card, hotel card key or several pieces of card stock

Double sided tape

Jewelry pliers - Round and flat nose

Materials

Polymer clay – navy (cobalt + black)

Thread for tassel – Artiste nylon thread #2, crochet thread or other

Pen barrel (optional), you could make your own from polymer clay

Viva Décor Inka Gold or pearlescent powder

Wire – 20 ga

Jump ring 6mm

Necklace finding – can be rope or chain

Bead cap (optional)

White glue or Fray Check (optional) - the thread will fray or unravel with wear, use one of these to stop the fray unless you like the look, apply a little bit to the end of each cord, separate and let dry

Featured on Totally Tutorials - Custom Jewelry Display Stands

I submitted my tutorial for custom jewelry display stands to the Totally Tutorials site and they published it on April 20!  Check out their site for great tutorials of all sorts.