Christmas Decorations of Polymer Clay

Merry Christmas

If you are a crafter, or into using Polymer Clay, I wanted to show you some Polymer Clay Christmas Ornaments that you still have time to make either for your tree, as gifts, or to decorate your packages.  Iris Mishly has a free video tutorial showing you exactly how to make these ornaments.  Check out this fun video at Polypediaonline and enjoy!

I wish all my followers and visitors a very Merry Christmas and good wishes to those of you that celebrate another holiday.  I will be celebrating Christmas in Boise, Idaho with my son and his family, and will have the fun of sharing Christmas Eve celebrations with some less fortunate women, residents of "City Lights" in Boise. A home for women who are recovering, and some women who have the misfortune of being homeless.  We will cook and serve them a nice Christmas dinner, and enjoy talking and spending time with them.

Happy New Year Too!

DID YOU SAY SALE?

                                                   Sale Today!

     Millefiore Necklace

Faux Lapiz Lazuli Bangle

Children's polymer clay Heart Shaped Necklace and earrings set

Are you looking for that last minute gift or stocking stuffer?  There is still time to receive it for Christmas, but you must place your order right away.  Visit my Artfire Shop to make your selection of jewelry for the girls and ladies on your gift list.  You will see that 10% has been  taken off the original price.  Great bargains for that special gift.  If you see something on my Etsy Shop that fits your gift needs please convo me for your discount.

You have just two days, Saturday and Sunday to take advantage of this Sale, as I will be closing the shop for a Holiday break starting Monday.  Thanks for looking and shopping!

Food You Don't Have To Eat

 Well, I've finally returned from a Fun Filled Family week!.  Thanksgiving in Arizona, visiting with family in Utah and Nevada (lots of snow) and now getting back to reality.  I just happened to leave my camera in Utah, so will have to plead with my dear hubby to let me use his to photograph my new projects.

 I have a little boutique that I will be working on Monday with my Knitting Guild, and I'm making some really pretty polymer clay buttons.  I'll add pictures when I can snag that camera.

In the meantime I thought I would post pictures of food I don't have to eat. (oh those extra pounds from Thanksgiving dinner).   I have been using the "Polymer Clay Cookbook" by Jessica and Susan Partain, and "Clay So Cute" by Sherri Haab to make some real looking food pieces.  Here are a few pictures of them.  You  can purchase some of them on either my Etsy or Artfire website if you are interested.

Pretzel Earrings

Pizza Necklace

Apple Earrings

Cupcake Earrings

Pumpkin Pie Earrings

Coffee Mug Earrings

Cheeseburger Earrings

Lemon Slice Earrings

Happy Thanksgiving

I probably won't do much blogging this week as my son, Mark, and daughter-in-law, Maria, will be visiting for a few days, and then we are headed to Phoenix, Arizona for Thanksgiving with our daughter, Michele.

I just wanted to take a minute to give Thanks and say a prayer for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.  And, I wanted to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all my family, friends and followers on this blog.  Enjoy the Moment!

Loretta's Boutique is at ArtFire now

I recently opened an "ArtFire" shop online and invite you to take a look at what I have listed for sale.  My polymer clay bracelets, earrings and necklaces are available there, and now is the time to get started with your Holiday shopping.  One of a kind pieces and very affordable.  Click here to view my inventory and or purchase that special gift.  I am happy to do custom orders if possible so send me an email if you are  looking for something that you would like made.

I still have my Etsy store and have different items listed there.  Click on the link at the top of the page to access that shop.  Thanks for looking!

Leopard Print Heart Earrings

I've been having fun playing with wire lately, and came up with what I thought was a great design.  Someone else thought that too because I sold them today.  Smile!

Bead Soup Time Again

It's time for another Lori Anderson Bead Soup Blog Party.  Here is the information if you would like to join the group.  Lots of fun receiving mystery beads from your swap partner and then making something wonderful to share.  Check out Lori's Blog for details.

Bead Soup Blog Party

Lori Anderson Jewelry Swap

I am posting this a little early because I have an all day show at my Curves tomorrow and won't have time to do any posting.  It's almost the 15th on the East Coast, so here we go.

I received this gorgeous necklace from my swap partner, Laurel Steven.  I love the design of it and was hesitant to change it, but that's the name of this game, so see what I did with it below.














I removed the pink beads and selected some Goldstone beads because I thought it went well with the color of the Ladies dress on the pendant.  I also shortened it a little and then reused the brass chain.  Here is my redo.

Here are the Artists that participated in the swap.  Please check out their blogs to see what they did with their jewelry pieces.

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Jen Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com
Johanna Rhodes http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.com
Laurel Steven http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com

Marianna Boylan http://www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Norma Turvey http://www.bead dreams and moonlitfantaseas
Sharon Misuraco http://goinoffthebeadinpath.blogspot.com
Stacey Curry http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com
Tyne Bodenburg http://www. tynebodennecklaces.blogspot.com

Polymer Clay Faux Coral, Turquoise, Jade and Amber Bangle Bracelets

I have two craft shows coming up this weekend, and I have been really busy cooking my polymer clay pieces.  These are my new bangle bracelets that I made to look like coral, turquoise, jade and amber.   I really had fun making them.  I used Carol Blackburn's book, Making Polymer Clay Beads,  for my inspiration.

Giraffe Print Necklace

I have quite a few pieces of  my jewelry that I have made in the polymer clay giraffe print cane.  Animal prints are in vogue right now, and I really enjoy designing with the pattern.  Here is a fun necklace strung on a buna cord.  I used a Barbara McGuire mold for my design.  I'm sure someone at the craft fair will enjoying getting this one.

Faux Ivory Necklace

Getting ready for craft shows are fun, and encourage me to try new designs.  This is my polymer clay faux ivory necklace strung on a buna cord.  It also has a polymer clay clasp closure.  I really like that it has an old feel to it.  What do you think?

Jewelry Swap with Lori Anderson

Lori Anderson always comes up with such good ideas for interacting with fellow beaders and jewelry designers by holding fun "bead swaps".  This time we are swapping a piece of jewelry that someone created but is either tired of or they haven't sold it within a certain timeframe.  I am exchanging with Laurel Stevens and she sent me a wonderful necklace that I really like, and can't imagine how I can change it.  But, I need to try.  Here is the before picture, and when we all reveal our changes I will post the new design.

Coffee Anyone?

If you wonder why I am so chatty on my blog today it's because I am housebound for a week or so because of a case of the shingles.  Fortunately it is a light case, but am told to avoid crowds for a week or so.  So, luckily I can make pretty polymer clay pieces and blog along.

A friend of mine has a granddaughter that works at a coffee house and she asked if I could make her some earrings having to do with coffee.  Soooo, thanks to Jessica and Susan Partain and their Polymer Clay Cookbook, I found some coffee cup earrings including the beans.  Here is my finished project.

Lemon Slice earrings of Polymer Clay

I live in a warm desert climate, as I mentioned before, and the citrus trees love this area.  We have beautiful grapefruit, orange, and yummy lemon trees brimming with fruit.  Thinking about citrus,  I decided to add to my polymer clay "food pieces" by making some cute "lemon slice" earrings.  While doing this my mouth started watering for Lemonade.  I know, it's not Summer right now, but in our warm desert sun Lemonade is always refreshing.  My friend, Vicki Bensinger, has a recipe for "homemade" lemonade that you can find at her website.  In the meantime, here are my "Lemon Slice" earrings.  By the way, I found this design in the 

"Polymer Clay Cookbook" by Jessica and Susan Partain.

A Little Chuckle For The Day

Jewelry for Teens and Tweens

I've been a little slow on blogging this week as I have been busy getting ready for a "Harvest Boutique" in the Yucaipa, CA area sponsored by The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a division of the Masonic Lodge.  I thought  that since it was the Girls division sponsoring, that maybe they would appreciate some jewelry for Teens and Tweens.  Here are a few things I've put together for the younger set, and will include some fun "Foodie" items made of polymer clay too.  Look for pumpkin pie earrings, pretzel earrings, pizza pendant and more.  The pendants at the bottom are awaiting their bails and rubber cords to finish.

Our Canadian Guests

I live in a nice warm desert climate, and in the winter we have wonderful people from Canada come to our valley and stay to enjoy our warm weather.  They are affectionately called "Snow Birds".  Well here are some other snow birds that follow them, "Canada Geese".  Beautiful birds to watch, but you don't want to walk in the grass after they have been there for awhile, if you know what I mean.

Help Kick Breast Cancer!

As a ten year breast cancer survivor I support any group that is raising funds to help beat this disease.  Please watch this video, and you will be counted in raising more funds for Breast Cancer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfRSDbV8Adw

New Leaf Bracelet & Earrings

Earlier I posted a picture of some leaf beads I made, and promised to post a finished project.  Here is a charm bracelet and earrings.  The nice thing about the bracelet is that it is reversible.  Both sides are shown below.  What do you think?

The Polymer Clay Cookbook

Jessica and Susan Partain have a Polymer Clay book out called "The Polymer Clay Cookbook".  In this book you can learn to make tiny food jewelry to whip up and wear, and they have a few "edible" recipes too.  Here is my take on their "Cheeseburger Earrings".  Looks good enough to eat, don't you think?  It's even on a sesame seed bun.

Judy Haupin New Leaf Beads

Judy Haupin has a free tutorial featured on the Beading Daily website called New Leaf Beads that she used to design a very showy necklace.  Here are a few of the beads I made using this tutorial, and I will post my necklace and other pieces when I get them all together.

The necklace can be worn two ways.  One showing the colorful cane side and the other showing the gold, copper black side of the leaves.  I can see this project using many different colors and canes.  This is just a start.

I also intend to make some earrings using the leaves, and have made smaller leaves to use in a charm bracelet.  This is a fun project, but labor intensive.  Let me know what you think!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads Giveaway

Would you like to win about $200 worth of beads and participate in a fun Traveling Giveaway?  Check out the blog of Artisan Clay for details.

Charm Swap with Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions

Yeah!  I just received my collection of bead charms from the participants in the Glass Addictions charm swap.  The requirements were that the charms needed to be handmade, and we were given a selection of three colors to choose from.  A coral, turquoise or brown shade.  My entry was a polymer clay heart made in the coral and turquoise colors.  Here are the creations and a list of the blogs or websites of the participants.  Thanks to Jennifer of Glass Addictions for this fun swap.

Loretta's Boutique

Glass Addictions

Ema K Designs

Spirited Earth

SueBeads

Janel Dudley Beads

Maybeads

Green Bead Designs

Paige Maxim Designs

Artisan Clay

Faux Ivory Bangle Bracelets of Polymer Clay

I just posted these bracelets on my Etsy site.  They are made of Faux Ivory polymer clay and were formed on a Brass Channel Bangle Bracelet form.   Bangles are very in vogue right now, and these would look great paired with my other animal print bracelets.

It's All About Creating

Marlene of It's All About Creating was recently featured in the Polymer Clay Cafe Magazine showing her Easy Leaf Necklace, and on the FRONT COVER no less.  Congratulations Marlene.

She is offering her first give-away, a beautiful bracelet with a darling teapot clasp.  All you have to do is go to her blog and leave a comment.  Try her here.  You have until October 14th to get your post in.

Bottle Cap Necklaces

I will be posting these necklaces on my etsy website shortly, so if you have a teen or tween that you need a gift for you can pick one up there.

The necklaces are made of polymer clay that I have put inside a soda bottle cap and added a little embellishment.  They are strung on a self closing rubber cord.  Sherri Haab features this technique in her book, "Clay So Cute".

Are We Having An Earthquake?

I asked myself, "Are we having an earthquake?", then realized it was just the street contractors tearing up  my road, driveway and just about every entrance to my condo complex.   We can't access our garage or driveway, and are parking on a street outside our community, walking to the car either in dirt or across the grassy area in our circle in the back of our condo.  I think the title of my next piece of jewelry is going to be called "Bam Bam" for all the pounding and noise that is going on outside. :-)

Shirley Rufener Purse Handle Tutorial

Many of you may have seen my Batik Cotton Knitted Shag Purses on this site.  Well I am thrilled to learn that Shirley Rufener has a tutorial on how to make purse handles out of polymer clay.  I can now combine both my love for making polymer clay pieces, and knitting my shag purses.  Watch for these items in my etsy store, Loretta's Boutique

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Earrings

I'm really getting ready for Fall, and looking forward to an exciting fun Thanksgiving with family and friends.  While cooking up some of my Polymer Clay projects I thought it would be fun to try some Pumpkin Pie earrings.     The Polymer Clay Cookbook, by Jessica and Susan Partain had the perfect recipe.  These look good enough to eat, don't you think?

Glass Addiction Swap

At last I finished my charms for the Glass Addiction.  I had something entirely different planned, but I wasn't pleased with the finished project, so hurriedly put these together.  Hearts are a favorite of mine, so hope everyone enjoys them.  They are made of Polymer Clay using the "Coral" color required, and they have a UV Resin finish on the top.  The color in this picture is not the true color of the charms.  The findings are brass.

Glass Addictions Charm Swap

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, I only have two days before I ship my charms for the Glass Addictions Charm Swap.  I am sending 10 charms and receiving ten charms.  We have 3 colors to select from to include in our handmade charms, and I'm excited to be able to show you my fun creations, only you will have to wait until tomorrow.  Think "Orange Sherbet".

Making Jewelry from Polymer Clay

I just treated myself to a new Polymer Clay book called, "Making Jewelry from Polymer Clay", by Sophie Arzalier.  This book will tickle your artistic talents and get you thinking about the next beautiful piece of jewelry that you will create.  Many hints and suggestions on how to do things easier and better.  I know you will enjoy this book.  I got mine at Amazon, but it is sold many places online.

How about a look at some of my earrings

I just listed some fun earrings on my Etsy site, and thought you might like to take a peek.  I used the Cindy Lietz Tiger Print on a couple of them, and the Blend and Switch on my little hearts.  The square shaped tiger earrings have my handmade brass earwires that I copied from Cindy's tutorial.

My Etsy Store is Open!

Many years ago I had a little store in Newport Beach, California.  The name was
  "A Little Bit of Everything". As a child, I always had fun playing "store",  setting up my counter and selling little trinkets that I found around the house to my imaginary playmates.  With my real store I got to experience the fun of really selling cute and fun items to real people, and shopping all the gift marts for just the right things to stock.  Christmas was absolutely magical in the selling experience.

I am feeling a little of that magic right now as I open my first "Etsy" store, "Lorettas Boutique", and I don't have to shop the gift marts anymore (although that was fun), I have the pleasure of hand making the beautiful items I am featuring in my shop.

  I have listed 3 sets of my Polymer clay bangle bracelets, and will add earrings, necklaces, rings, and maybe even some of my Knitted shag purses.  Watch this blog for specials, some drawings, and a gift for one of my followers when I reach a goal that I will announce later.

Hope you will check out my new Etsy store at www.lorettasboutique.etsy.com, and leave your comments here.  I'd love to hear from you.