Showing posts with label video tutorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video tutorial. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2016

Jewelry Making for Beginners Family Tree Necklace

How to Make Jewelry Family Tree Necklace Jewelry making for beginners, use pre-made components, add jump rings, chain and birthstone or initial charms and a simple clasp and you have  a custom piece of jewelry to commemorate your family.  Great gift or family reunion keepsake.

Subscribe to my Channel:  http://bit.ly/1Ta4tcy


Tools
Jewelry pliers
Ruler

Materials
Blue Moon Tree Pendant
Blue Moon chain
Birthstone or initial charms
Jump rings - 6mm 4ea for basic necklace and one for each charm
Lobster claw or other clasp


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


Friday, April 22, 2016

Polymer Clay Interchangeable Bracelet - How to Make a Polymer Clay Interchangeable Bracelet

Hi All, Thanks for joining me in my studio.  Learn now to make a handmade polymer clay interchangeable bracelet in this video tutorial.  We'll use a leather bracelet and make our own unique bracelet components to change out the look of our bracelet.  Learn to make the bracelet component, use jump rings as the connectors, add pearlescent powders or acrylic paint to add unique, colorful patinas.

This is a great project to use with the teenagers/tweens.  You can create all kinds of fun accessories with this tutorial.  Hope you enjoy.


Jacquard Pearl Ex Powder Set 2:  http://amzn.to/249EOYD
Beads Leather Bracelet - Turquoise:  http://goo.gl/Z6TMoq
Ateco Oval Cutters:  http://amzn.to/23P0H2p
Ateco Round Cutters:  http://amzn.to/22UBTAr

The links go through my Amazon Affiliate program with no increased cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my channel when using them.

Tools:
Oven
Pasta Machine
Texture sheet or other
Craft Knife
Cutters - Oval (or paper template)
Paint brush

Materials:
Clay
Pearlescent powders
Acrylic paint
Jump rings - 2 ea 6mm
Leather bracelet with lobster claw clasps


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:  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.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

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.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

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


Saturday, July 18, 2015

#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

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Featured on Totally Tutorials - Custom Jewelry Display Stands

http://www.sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/make-your-own-custom-jewelry-display.html


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.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

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

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

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

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

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

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

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.


Friday, October 31, 2014

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.

Monday, September 22, 2014

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.