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.

Polymer Clay Silk Screen Necklace

Here's the necklace I created using the silk screened polymer clay from my demo in the last post.  I used scrapbooking elements including brads to lock the pieces together and eyelets to finish the holes where the chain joins the necklace.  The brads allows for the pieces to move so the main circles can be re-positioned. This would look nice with a white button down, peeking out of the collar.

Product Demo - Sculpey Clay Silk Screen Kit

I've been wanting to try silk screening for quite a while.  At one of my recent guild meetings, the new Sculpey products were demonstrted.  I couldn't wait to try the Clay Silk Screen Kit so ran out to my local craft store and picked one up.  I hadn't ever tried silk screening and was thrilled with the results.  I did a video demo below that I hope you enjoy.  Leave me a comment and tell me how you like the demo and whether you've tried silk screening.

Mini Travel Art Kit

When traveling, which I do often for business, I take a mini art kit with me.  While I don't usually have tools, having some 3X5 cards and colored pencils allows me to do design work and capture inspiration when it hits.  The cards and pencils make up the mini art kit and is easy to carry.  The bit of color from the colored pencils makes the designs come to life and allow for color planning.  When I get back to the studio I add the designs to my inspiration board and start prototyping.  The inspiration board ends up being a design journal as I can see how I've been inspired over time.

P.S. These pictures were all taken with my iPhone.  My first attempt at using the iPhone and editing software.  I know, I know, behind the times.  LOL