#Thankful4Art Give Thanks Polymer Clay Placecards

Hi All, thanks for joining me in my studio for the #Thankful4Art YouTube Creative Arts Collaboration event.  I have a project to make a polymer clay "Give Thanks" placecard for your holiday table.  This unique placecard not only creates beautiful placecard settings for each guest, it also allows your guest to write down what they are thankful for.

This not only makes a nice table setting but also a keepsake for each of your guests if you wish.

We'll use basic polymer clay techniques and tools.  You don't need to have all the cutters, you can freehand the leaves and other design elements.

I hope you enjoy this project.

P.S.  I'm using some new video techniques including more music and close up shots of the project details.  Let me know how you enjoy these new features.

Learn to Make a Customized Business Card Case

Hi All, welcome to my studio.  In this project we'll make a customized business card case.  This is a great way to make a unique and fun accessory to show off your personality and keep your business cards pristine.

Since I make YouTube videos and I have my first artist business cards, I thought I'd make a really customized card holder by taking my YouTube thumbnails and making a one of a kind paper to make my case out of.  To make the paper, I brought my thumbnails into MSWord and sized them randomly from 1/2" - 1" and then just copied them in a collage like way across the 6" x 6" size I needed for the card case.  I used some YouTube logos and the YouTube Creative Art Collaboration group I belong to (credit to Chuck Carson for the CAC logo).  It was so nice to celebrate my channel by making this customized piece.  I'm headed to the YouTube Creator's Day in Boulder, CO in a week or so and it will be fun to pull out this card case that celebrates my YouTube videos as I hand out my business card to other content creators.  Very thrilling.

Here's the video.  Check out the tools/materials list below the video and download the template.  I hope you enjoy this project.

Tools
Scissors
Score tool
If you want to customize for your YouTube Channel you'll need:

• Computer
• Word processing program
• Printer

Materials

Paper - 6" x 6" scrapbook, card stock or other

Customized paper:

• Glossy photo paper

Embellishments - to decorate use buttons, washi tape, fabric tape, ribbon, etc.

Tape - sticky tape with red backing or other strong tape

Velcro tabs - mini clear

SWD Learn to make a Dollar Store Halloween Skeleton Necklace

Hi All,

Join me in my studio to make this fun Halloween Skeleton Necklace.  I had bought a couple of the $1 skeleton garlands at my local Dollar Tree a while ago.  I hope they still have some of these this year, it's kind of close to Halloween and I notice everything is turning over for Christmas.  If they don't have them, save this for next year.  It's a great, inexpensive Halloween project and simple enough for the kids.  I made this for an elementary school teacher and I think it will be a great hit with her class.

We'll use very basic tools and materials such as wire, jump rings, chain, jewelry making pliers and wire snips.  If you want a more temporary necklace use the jute string that comes with the skeleton garland in place of the wire and chain.  You can simply tie a knot to wear the necklace.  The full tools/materials list is below the video.  If you enjoyed this project, I hope you'll let me know by subscribing to my YouTube channel, giving me a thumbs up (always encouraging) or leave a comment.  I hope you enjoy.

Tools
Jewelry pliers - two chain nose
Wire cutters

Materials
Skeletons - I used the skeleton garlands from Dollar Tree, if you don't find these, look for something similar; make sure they're flexible and a good size for a necklace - not too big
Jump rings - 2ea 10mm
Craft wire - 22ga approx 2'
Pumpkin bell or other pumpkin you can attach to represent a trick or treat bag (optional)
Chain - 2ea 6" lengths
Clasp - toggle or other

SWD Polymer Clay Three Rose Necklace Tutorial

Hi All, welcome to my studio.  In today's tutorial, we'll make a polymer clay three rose necklace.  This necklace can be customized to be a family or commemorative necklace to represent your children or grandchildren, marriage or a departed friend or family member.  It's a sweet reminder of your loved ones.  This would make a great gift for a mother-in-law or grandma.  Hope you enjoy this video tutorial.  See the tools and materials list below the video.

Tools
Oven
Pasta Machine
Jewelry pliers
Craft knife
Needle tool
Paint brush or sponge
Hand drill
Paper template - see shape in video - 1.5" length x 3/4" width

Materials
Polymer clay - I used Premo! Sculpey in Spanish Olive for the leaves and a mix of Magenta and Pearl for the roses (the leaves were rolled on the thickest setting of my Atlas pasta machine, the backing sheet was rolled at #3.
Genesis Medium, Liquid clay or Bake 'n Bond
Sandpaper - 30-40 grit
Paint - Burnt Umber
Jump rings - 6mm approx or size to fit
Chain - 2 8" lengths
Clasp
Paper towel

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