Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange

Oooh, the Bead Soup Exchange package from Patty Lakinsmith is here, and she sent some fun things.  Now I have to put my thinking cap on to put together my design.  We will  reveal our designs on February 10th, and all participants of the Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange will visit each others blog looking at the creations.  I can't wait.

  Patty sent some beautiful glass beads that she made herself, and a clasp she made out of pmc.  She added some amber, red adventurine and olive jade to the mix.  Oh my, what will I do with this?

You can see some of Patty's creations for sale on her Etsy website at http://www.pattylakinsmith.etsy.com/.

Belle Armoire Design Two

The second necklace from Belle Armoire that I covet is on page 46,  the Laurie Prophater necklace made from Polymer Clay and recycled Soda Cans.  She also used rubber cord and telephone wire recycled.  Very "green". Thanks for sharing your talents, Laurie.  I will post my creation when I am through making it.  Here is the necklace, and above I posted a link to Laurie's website.

Cindy Lietz - Polymer Clay Tutor

If any of you are wanting to learn the craft of making Polymer Clay beads then be sure to visit the blog of Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor. She has weekly online video classes on making beautiful clay beads. You will find this information and how to sign up for the classes at www.beadsandbeading.com/blog. Here is a picture of just one of the classes that she will be offering in the coming weeks. I love this butterfly pendant and really look forward to learning the technique. How about you?

Working Polymer Clay in Hot Weather

I was so excited when I got another new Polymer Clay Book yesterday. "The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques" by Donna Kato. I'm all ready to learn to make some of these fun canes to use in my beads, so I start to condition the clay and then carefully form the inner part of the cane, nice round dots. I add the outer layer of clay and start rolling to shrink it down. My clay is getting softer and softer. Needless to say my round dots are now squashed ovals. At some point it dawned on me that maybe I need to put the first rounds in the refrigerator to set up a little before I add the outside sheet. Oh, did I tell you, we are having a heatwave here in my Desert City of California. Friday was 118, Saturday 114 and today 115. Do you think that might be why I have soft clay? :)