Polymer Clay Tutorial "Go Fish" Bright and Colorful Fish Pendant #LoveSummerArt

Polymer clay fish pendant.  Learn to make a colorful fish with fun movement.  This polymer clay project is a great way to add movement and playfulness to your jewelry wardrobe.  Clay, eye pins, jump rings, basic tools and a bright cord are all the supplies you'll need.  Check out all the great videos in the #LoveSummerArt series by the artists of the Creative Arts Collaboration group.

GREAT STUDIO PRODUCTS:

The links go through my Amazon Affiliate program, and you support my channel when using them. 

Sculpey Clay Slicer:  Includes ripple blade - http://amzn.to/1WLixzH

Kemper Cutters:  5/16" size - http://amzn.to/1NFBBfx

Visit Sweet Willow Designs' Amazon Store for the great products I use in my studio - http://astore.amazon.com/sweewilldesi-20

SUBSCRIBE:

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Disclosure:  All opinions are my own.  I participate in several affiliate programs. That means I receive a commission when products are purchased through links posted on my videos. (At NO additional cost to you.) This allows me to bring you more videos!  This is how I earn compensation by sharing tips, techniques and projects with you.  The affiliate programs I use include Simon Says Stamp, Amazon and Michaels.  These are stores I shop at for the products I use.

How to Make a Polymer Clay Faux Wood Cuff Bracelet - The Polymer Clay Workbench

Subscribe to my Channel:  http://bit.ly/1Ny4aEY

See the first two videos in this series to learn to make the Basic Polymer Clay Cuff and Wood Grain Stack/Cane.  Here are the links to those videos.

Polymer Clay Faux Wood Grain Stack/Cane:
https://youtu.be/csTdM8K59K0
Polymer Clay Basic Cuff Bracelet:
https://youtu.be/KpGkXdwhpS4

Yay!! Here's the Faux Wood Look with Coral Pebble bracelet that reached #1 in the poll.  Let's get started.  In Part 2 of a 2 Part video tutorial, we'll make a polymer clay faux wood and coral pebble cuff bracelet.  Please refer to the video "How to Make a Basic Polymer Clay Cuff Bracelet."   This is one of my favorite bracelets that can  easily  be customized with color or design.  See some of my recommended products and the tools/materials below.  Hope you enjoy and thanks again for joining me in my studio.  Take care.

Build your studio:

Acrylic Roller:  http://amzn.to/1QKRgIa
Clay Blades:  http://amzn.to/1RchgPW
Bracelet Bender (The exact one I use is no longer available.  Here's an inexpensive one of equal quality):  http://amzn.to/1LYmLdu
Aluminum Bracelet Blanks 25 1/2" Pieces:  http://amzn.to/1L7f8GE
Aluminum Bracelet Blanks 25 3/4" Pieces:  http://amzn.to/1LYnifp
Aluminum Bracelet Blanks 144 Pieces:  http://amzn.to/1L7f3mw
Aluminum Bracelet Blank Preformed 5 1/2" pieces (Note:  this doesn't get a great review on Amazon because the reviewer said they were too lightweight - this is what we want!):  http://amzn.to/1TvVTJY
Brass Channel Bracelet Blank 1 5/16" piece:  http://amzn.to/1TeLHF8
Silver plated Channel Bracelet Blank 1 ea .929" channel space:  http://amzn.to/1TeM4zC
Extruder:  http://amzn.to/1X3Dl1i
Plastic Grid Sheets:  http://amzn.to/21Rfsxh
Stencil Plastic:  http://amzn.to/1X32l8U

What I use to make my videos:

Canon Vixia HF R600 Camcorder:  http://amzn.to/1LYnPOo
Studio Lights:  http://amzn.to/1LYnT0C
External Microphone:  http://amzn.to/1RMHrcN

Tools/Materials:
Oven
Pasta machine
Craft knife
Acrylic roller
Clay Blade
Needle tool
Bracelet template
Bracelet blank - 3/4" aluminum
Burnt Umber Paint
Sandpaper - 400 grit (optional)
Sanding bucket/tub
Clay - Sculpey Premo! in Raw Sienna, Translucent, White and Ecru
Round center focal - I used some glass pebbles from the floral section of my local craft store.

See me on my social media sites:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SweetWillowDsgn
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/SweetWillow...
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/search?q=SweetWil...
Blog:
http://www.sweetwillowdesigns.blogspo...

Disclosure:  I participate in several affiliate programs. That means I receive a commission when products are purchased through links posted on my blog and videos. (At NO additional cost to you.) This allows me to bring you more videos!  This is how I earn compensation by sharing tips, techniques and projects with you.  The affiliate programs I use include Simon Says Stamp, Amazon, and Michaels.  These are all stores I shop at for the products I use.

How to Add Strength and Flexibility to Polymer Clay Cuff Bracelets - The Polymer Clay Workbench

Hi All, Thanks for joining me in my studio.  I'm starting a new series called "Polymer Clay Workbench".  In this series we'll look at polymer clay basics, answer questions and work on techniques that improve the quality and beauty of polymer clay projects.  I'll also share the products I like to help you build your studio and polymer clay art room (see links below).  I hope you enjoy this series.

In the first Polymer Clay Workbench, we'll look at how to add strength and flexibility to polymer clay cuff bracelets.  It's common for new clayers to make their cuffs only from polymer clay.  Many experience softening as the skin warms the clay or breakage.  I'll show you how to use bracelet blanks/forms to add the needed strength and flexibility.  We'll focus on cuffs in this video.  Just the underlying structure.  In a future video we'll make a cuff using this technique.  You'll see how you use basic tools/materials to make your bracelet form.  I hope you enjoy.  Let me know what you think about this series.  Thanks as always for watching, liking and subscribing to my channel.  Following are some affiliate links for products that help you build your studio.

Build your studio:

Bracelet Bender (The exact one I use is no longer available.  Here's an inexpensive one of equal quality):  http://amzn.to/1LYmLdu
Aluminum Bracelet Blanks 25 1/2" Pieces:  http://amzn.to/1L7f8GE
Aluminum Bracelet Blanks 25 3/4" Pieces:  http://amzn.to/1LYnifp
Aluminum Bracelet Blanks 144 Pieces:  http://amzn.to/1L7f3mw
Aluminum Bracelet Blank Preformed 5 1/2" pieces (Note:  this doesn't get a great review on Amazon because the reviewer said they were too lightweight - this is what we want!):  http://amzn.to/1TvVTJY
Brass Channel Bracelet Blank 1 5/16" piece:  http://amzn.to/1TeLHF8
Silver plated Channel Bracelet Blank 1 ea .929" channel space:  http://amzn.to/1TeM4zC

What I use to make my videos:

Canon Vixia HF R600 Camcorder:  http://amzn.to/1LYnPOo
Studio Lights:  http://amzn.to/1LYnT0C
External Microphone:  http://amzn.to/1RMHrcN

Tools/Materials:
Bracelet bender or 1-1/2" glass jar
Bracelet blanks - aluminum 1/2" or 3/4" inch
Aluminum strips - if you want to make your own
Heavy duty metal snips
Chain nose pliers

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SweetWillowDsgn
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/SweetWillowDsgn/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/search?q=SweetWillowDsgn


Disclosure:  I participate in several affiliate programs. That means I receive a commission when products are purchased through links posted on my videos and blog. (At NO additional cost to you.) This allows me to bring you more videos, blog posts and tutorials!  This is how I earn compensation by sharing tips, techniques and projects with you.  The affiliate programs I use include Simon Says Stamp, Amazon, and Michaels.  These are all stores I shop at for the products I use.

How to Make a Polymer Clay Spring Heart Bouquet Necklace - Get Your Swirl On - #LoveSpringArt

Hi All, thanks for joining me in my studio as we make this polymer clay spring heart bouquet necklace.  This sweet project uses small amounts of clay to make a swirl base shaped into a heart, roses and leaves.  You can do this in pastels, or use all one color of clay for a monochromatic look.  Any way you do it, the project is dainty and sweet.  Your Mother, Mother-in-law or Grandma would love this. You can make it into a necklace or add a pin back and you have a beautiful lapel pin.  See the materials and tools list right after the video.

Thanks again for joining me in my studio, I hope you enjoy this project.  Take care.

Tools
Oven
Pasta Machine
Ball stylus
Craft knife
Craft blade
Glass or ceramic tile or acrylic block

Materials
Clay - white base with small amounts of light blue and other pastel colors for roses and leaves
Bail - glue on
Necklace finding
Glue - E6000

#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

Featured on The Daily Polymer Arts Blog - Thank You!

Thanks to The Daily Polymer Arts Blog for featuring my leaf pendant colored with Pan Pastels, Prismacolor colored pencils and embossing powder.  Using these materials is a great way to add color and texture to polymer clay.  I'll be doing an upcoming tutorial on using these techniques that I hope you enjoy.  Stay tuned for more!  Thanks again Polymer Arts for the feature in the blog.  Here's the link to the original article.  and to a previous post with other examples of using colored pencils on polymer clay.

SWD Polymer Clay Tutorial - Get Your Swirl On!! - St. Patrick's Day Pendant

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, just a few weeks away.  Learn to make a polymer clay swirl pendant or charm with shamrocks to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  We’ll use the colors of the Irish flag – white, orange and green to make a swirl bead and then embellish it with three shamrocks.  I hope you enjoy this polymer clay tutorial.  It’s the third in my “Get Your Swirl On” series.   See the tools and materials list after the video link.

Thanks for joining me in my studio.  If you enjoyed this tutorial, give me a thumbs up, subscribe to my channel and leave me a comment.  I love hearing from you.  Thanks again for watching.

Tools

Acrylic block and roller

Extruder with 19 hole disk – optional, you can roll thin snakes of clay by hand

Cutter – 3/16” hear shape – optional you can cut the hearts by hand with a craft knife

Hand drill or Dremel with size of drill bit to accommodate jump ring or bail

Materials

Clay – 1” ball of white, small amounts of orange and green

Jump ring for bail or other bail

Necklace finding

GET YOUR SWIRL ON SERIES

See my YouTube playlist for the series

Get Your Swirl On! Polymer Clay Valentine Swirl Pendant

Here's a Valentine's Day swirl pendant with a "Be Mine" sentiment and red hearts.  I'm going to be doing a series of these holiday swirl pendants so stay tuned for more!  Hope you enjoy this video tutorial.  Leave me a comment, subscribe and let me know how you enjoyed this video.  Tools and materials lists follow the video.

Tools

Pasta machine
Oven
Extruder (Optional)
Extruder die - 19 hole
Alpha stamping set
Cutter - 3/16" heart
Paintbrush - stiff
Needle tool or hand drill
Clay blade
Craft knife

Materials

Polymer clay - Premo! - small amounts of white, red and pink blend
Acrylic paint - red
Sandpaper - wet/dry 400 grit
Varnish - recommend Varathane or comparable
Jewelry findings - pinch bail or jump ring, necklace finding

Winter Storm Snowflake Polymer Clay Pendant

This week's winter snow storm in Colorado inspired this polymer clay pendant project. Join me in my studio as we make a swirl bead and add snowflake embellishments. I used extruded clay strands applied to a clay base to make my swirl beads. This simple technique is great alternative to using cane slices for those of us who don’t make many canes. Upcoming projects will use this basic technique for more swirl effects. Hope you enjoy this. If you enjoy the video, subscribe to my YouTube channel, give me a thumbs up or leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you. Below the video are the tools and materials used in the project. 

  Tools 

Extruder 

19 hole die 

Clay blade 

Needle tool 

Acrylic or glass block 

Jewelry pliers

  Materials 

Polymer Clay – white and 2 shades of blue 

Pearlescent powder – silver 

Jump ring 

Sandpaper – wet/dry 400 grit 

Sealer – Varathane or other

P.S. I’m always trying to improve my videos. I use Adobe Premier Pro Creative Cloud software to edit my videos and with this one I wanted to keep close to the 5 minute mark. It’s always a learning process and fun. Stuff I learned while making this video:

• How to speed up a clip

• Overlay comments on a clip

• Record audio outside the main video

Polymer Clay Faux Knit Mitten Earring Tutorial

Let’s knit with polymer clay!  Join me in my studio as we make a polymer clay knitted “fabric” that we can use to make these cute mitten earrings.  You could also resize the mitten template to make a necklace, bracelet or zipper pull.  

You can find some free, downloadable Christmas templates here.  Copy the mitten template and resize in word processing or image processing software.  You can use any size that works for your project.  I re-sized the mitten template to 1” by .88” which is a good size for earrings.

I hope you enjoy this video tutorial.  If you enjoyed this video, subscribe, give me a thumbs up and leave a comment.  Thanks for joining me in my studio.  See the materials/tools list below the video link.

Materials

Polymer clay colors of your choice.  I’m using red and white Premo!

Paper mitten template

Eye pins – 2 ea

Ear wires – 2 ea

Jump ring – 6mm – 2 ea

Sandpaper – optional

Tools

Pasta Machine

Oven

Extruder with multi-hole disk (disk with 19 holes usually include in the basic set with Makins extruder)

Craft knife

Jewelry pliers – chain nose

Super Easy Polymer Clay Christmas Tree Charm

Hi All and welcome to my studio.  Today I’m doing a super easy project to make sweet Christmas tree charms that can be used for earrings, necklaces, bracelets or even a zipper pull for the holidays.  This is also a fun projects to do with the kids (supervision as needed).   Check out the video below for making the charm and a pair of earrings.  For more videos, subscribe to my YouTube Channel, give me a thumbs up or leave me a comment.  Thanks again for joining me in my studio.  Let’s get started (see materials/tools list at the bottom of the post).

Materials (Earrings)

Polymer clay – bits of green with a touch of black to tone it down if preferred, brown, red and yellow – I use Premo! as it is more durable

Embossing powder – chunky, snow type or you could use bits of white clay for the snow

Head pin – 2”, 2 ea

Jump ring – 6mm, 2 ea

Earwire – 2 ea

Tools

Oven

Jewelry making pliers/wire cutter for top loop

Polymer Clay Southwestern Enamel Look Bracelet Tutorial

Join me in my studio as we create this southwestern themed polymer clay bracelet embellished with a silver metal button.  We'll use embossing powders to give an enamel effect and add color and texture.  The embossing powder gives the piece a rustic and well-worn look.  This two part video series gives you step by step instructions on how to make this bracelet.  See end of post for materials/tools list.

I like to add metal to my jewelry but not being a metalsmith, I need to find creative ways to get the luster and weight of metal into my designs.  In this piece, I'm using metal buttons easily sourced from fabric stores and on-line.  There are so many styles and finishes that I'm sure you'll find something to add interest to your pieces. Try this technique but be sure to add wire to create an anchor so the button won't fall out.  If the button is a shank style, you may have to cut the shank down with heavy duty wire cutters.  You'll still want to wrap wire around the remaining part of the shank to secure it.

Hope you enjoy.  Leave me a comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel and blog.

Materials

Polymer Clay – ½ pkg each, Premo! Bronze and Burnt Umber

Genesis Thick Medium Extender or Liquid Clay

Embossing powders – your choice of colors

Burnt Umber paint

Metal Button – 3/4” – 1 ea

Wire - 24ga – 1-1/2”

Eyelets – 1/4” – 2 ea

Bracelet finding with clasp to fit – 1 ea

Varathane gloss waterbased polyurethane
Plastic wrap (optional for beveled edge)

Tools

Pasta Machine

Oven

Glass vase or other to make curve in clay

Cutter – teardrop – 3/4”

Cutter - round cutter – 1/4”

Bamboo skewer

Oval cutter or paper template – 2-1/2”

Texture sheet or coarse sandpaper

Paint brushes to apply paint and embossing powder

Pliers – chain nose

Polymer Clay Sculpted Bird Earrings Tutorial

Hi All.  Thanks for joining me in my studio.  Today I'm making a cute pair of bird earrings sculpted from polymer clay.  Sculpting these birds is easy and you'll soon be making loads of earrings for gifts or for yourself.  Hope you enjoy.  Leave me a comment, subscribe to my YouTube Channel and share.

Crafty Podcasts

Recently, while sitting in an airport with a friend, I noticed he was intently listening to his iPhone.  When I asked what he was listening to, he explained that he downloads podcasts from NPR and listens to them while traveling.  I usually read a magazine or novel but thought listening to a podcast (kind of like a radio show) could be entertaining and educational.  I found a few craft/art related podcasts that I fell in love with and enjoy listening to while travelling or working in my studio.  I thought you might enjoy listening as well.  There are lots of categories of podcasts out there.  Find a series that interests you and have fun.

 Here are my current favorites.

While She Naps with Abby Glassenberg

From Abby’s site:  While She Naps is a blog about sewing stuffed animals and running a creative business. I’m interested in soft toy design, publishing, the sewing industry, and entrepreneurship for creative

Abby is a soft toy maker who has a website where she sells her toy patterns, blogs on sewing, interviews other artists and does segments on craft business issues.  She does a regular podcast with a wide range of guests related to sewing crafts and the business of crafting.  Although I haven’t sewed for years, I like hearing how others go about living their craft.

Check out her podcasts.

CraftCast with Allison Lee

From Allison’s site:  CRAFTCAST™ was first heard in March, 2006. Since then there have been almost 1 million downloads. Each week, host Alison Lee, talks to a well known artist in their field and gets right down to the how, what and why behind each artists works. Thousands of listeners have written in to share how listening in to Alison's interviews has inspired them and their own work. As Alison says at the end of every show, Get Your Butt in the Chair and Keep Crafting!

Allison not only does podcasts but she hosts live workshops with a variety of artists.  I've taken a number of classes on polymer and metal clay, jewelry making and doll making through CraftCast.  These classes are reasonably priced and archived so you can watch and then re-watch to your heart’s content.  Archived workshops are also available if you missed the live one.  Allison’s free workshops showcasing the tools various artists love is fantastic!

Check out her podcasts.

Balzer Designs with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

From Julie’s site:  Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed media painter, collage maker, and avid memory keeper. She is also an author, blogger, TV personality, and teacher.

Julie’s podcast is called “Adventures in Arting”.  She interviews various artists and delves into their art, how they make it, balancing competing demands and the business of crafting.  Julie’s Mother joins her in the podcasts and it’s nice to get two generational perspectives on the issues facing crafters/artists.  She also does a lot of papercrafting as well as other videos.

Check out her podcasts.

Elise Gets Crafty with Elise Blaha Cripe

From Elise’s site:  Introducing, ELISE GETS CRAFTY, my new podcast where I host guests and we chat weekly about blogging, creativity, inspiration, motivation and running a small business.

I’ve just started listening to Elise’s podcasts.  Her talks about blogging and creativity have inspired me.

Check out her podcasts.

CraftSanity with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

From Jennifer’s site:  CraftSanity is a website and podcast about all things arts and crafts.

I’m always curious about how others use their creativity and these podcasts cover many aspects of balancing life and crafting.

Check out her podcasts.

At Long Last - Rock Purse Tutorial Parts 2 and 3

In May 2011 I posted the first part of what was to be a two part tutorial on how to make a polymer clay rock purse, a decorative purse based on the Japanese inro.  I had intended to post a two part tutorial on YouTube but only got as far as Part 1 when my travel schedule got in the way of finishing the tutorial.

Well, more three years later, I finished two more parts to complete the series.  When I filmed, I had about 28 minutes of video which is way too long so I edited to create two more parts.  Part 2 talks about the design choices the maker considers for how to string and finish the rock purse and Part 3 gives the final finishing options.

I hope you enjoy the videos.  Go on over to YouTube to view and leave comments and subscribe if you are interested in seeing more videos.  Thanks for joining me in my studio.

Tutorial with Videos - Polymer Clay Faux Soutache

Join me in my studio for creating two lovely and fun faux soutache jewelry projects, Simple Beaded Earrings and the Victoriana Pendant, using my new tutorial.  This tutorial includes 11 video guides.  See it at my Etsy shop.  Click the Etsy badge to see this tutorial.

Soutache jewelry is one of the hottest trends in jewelry making.  As a polymer clay artist it was a natural step to re-imagine traditional soutache through the versatile medium of polymer clay.  Like traditional soutache jewelry, any color combination, beading and other embellishments can be added to make the ultimate design possibilities limited only by the imagination of the artist.

This original tutorial contains two projects meant to provide the polymer clay artists with tips and techniques for creating their own faux soutache jewelry.  The first project, Simple Beaded Earrings, demonstrate techniques such as adding beads, strengthening the piece, backing and finishing.  Building on the key concepts in the Simple Beaded Earrings, the Victoriana Pendant goes several steps further to provide detailed instructions such as adding dimensional ribbons, leaves, clay beads, pearl beads and adding subtle color.  These techniques lend themselves to being used for many adaptations limited only by the artist’s imagination.

The projects contain 37 pages of instructions, 100 detailed photographs and 11 video guides with over 50 minutes of step by step video instructions.  There’s even one blooper guide demonstrating what happens when clay is not properly conditioned. 

Detailed tool and material lists are provided and I’ve added a cross-reference guide, referencing each photograph or figure to the corresponding video guide.

 

The techniques in this tutorial do not require advanced skills, however, basic knowledge of polymer clay techniques such as conditioning clay and using an extruder are assumed.  Basic jewelry making skills such as opening and closing jump rings are also used in the tutorial.  Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never made jewelry, this tutorial will walk you through the steps. 

The tools and materials used were readily available in my local craft stores in the United States.  To make it more convenient for you, I’ve included web-based resources in the Resource Guide.  With the exception of an extruder with the appropriate dies, you may be able to use the tools you already have in your craft stash.

You will be downloading 2 PDF files with access to my Vimeo Faux Soutache Portfolio.  The access link and passcode are on the first page of each of the PDF documents.  The link to the files to download will be emailed to you by Etsy once your payment is completed.  

Hope you enjoy.

More Silkscreen on Polymer Clay

The Colorado Mile High Polymer Clay Guild's Tina Gugeler gave a class in making your own silk screens from photo emulsion sheets.  How fun to create your own designs and turn them into unique screens.   Here's my screen and the sample shapes that will transform into earrings or pins. 

Organizing your Projects

This last weekend I found this cool storage box that is really for photos but I'm using it to keep my in progress jewelry projects organized.  The plastic box holds 6 individual mini boxes that I can keep my smaller jewelry projects that I'm working on neat and and organized.  The boxes are large enough for some clay, tools, beads and cards for notes.  Got this neat addition to my studio from JoAnn since they were having a 50% of storage sale.  Works great.