Mel's beady place

Kumihimo

2011-07-16T17:14:00.000-04:00

Since taking a class with Diane Villano I've fallen in love with Kumihimo and now am making them for all my pendants.

Here are some links to finish the braids off.

http://www.lythastudios.com/123bead/kumihimo.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdPgIWubf8k

http://www.satincord.com/htm/kumihimo-finishing.htm

New directions

2011-07-10T11:19:00.003-04:00

Okay so there a lot of new things in my claying life.

Thanks to Lynne I've discovered Kato Clay and really like it for caning.

Mixing 1/2 pluffy and 1/2 Premo! make a very good substitute for the discontinued Studio Clay.

Kumihimo is addicting! Love mixing fun threads with silk and cotton. Adding metallic threads jumps up the look and it doesn't take long to make a custom braid for a pendant.

Klay karma is in a couple of weeks. Can't wait.

Rhinestones

2010-11-25T19:42:00.003-05:00

OMG where does time go? So here it is Thanksgiving and I've been looking for flatback rhinestones in some of the colors I like but can't find so I'm scouring the web and in frustration type in volcano rhinestone flat backs and low & behold I get a search result for this site Rhinestones, Swarovski Rhinestones, Swarovski Crystals Wholesale - RhinestoneShop.com. Great prices and colors I want that have been discontinued. Hmmm. Bought them!

More later

Bangles!

2010-03-26T09:00:00.002-04:00

So all of a sudden I'm making bangles. What fun. Also experimenting with transfers and all that. It's amazing what can be made. Need to get pictures taken and stuff up in my Etsy shop. Now that the beads are made and delivered for the bead show maybe I'll get some stuff up to sell.

Next month I have the honor of setting up the travelling exhibit from my guild in the Old Lyme public library. Time to educate!

Time flies

2009-12-03T19:22:00.003-05:00

Honestly, just when I thought I'd have more time to create life gets busier. At least all my color chips from Lindley's class are made so when it gets a little less crazy there will be some new designs.

Already looking ahead to Clay Connection in August. Such a blast but first a vacation with hubby. We haven't been away for over 10 years and we sure need it.

This is my new grandcat. His name is Sam. Can't wait to meet him.

2009-10-23T10:21:00.002-04:00

Got these from a friend in the UK. Can't wait to work them into a design.

Have cut out a mess of pictures from magazines for Lindley's color class this weekend. Can't wait to explore.

Color class with Lindley

2009-10-21T08:27:00.002-04:00

Well let's see Klay Karma was a blast and there were so many great people there. Got to meet Iris from Polyform, Bette, who gave me many great tips, and Dora of Dora's explorations. All that talent is phenomenal.

Discovered that stickers do not stay stuck on polymer clay unless you nail them down with something. OOPS!

This weekend my guild is having a class with Lindley on Dancing with the Rainbow, Her color class. Have her new book and am so excited. I'm not afraid of color but want more!

Getting ready for Klay Karma

2009-07-19T12:37:00.002-04:00

Next weekend is Klay Karma in New Hampshire. o excited to be going. Plan to learn a whole lot and have tons of fun. So far I'm pretty much self taught so all the demos will be a big help plus learning from all the other artists that will be there. More later.

Stickers and shells

2009-05-28T12:30:00.002-04:00

Have been working with stickers to see if they will work on polymer clay along with canes. Haven't baked them yet so I'll keep you posted with pix when they are cooked.

Trying to make decent looking shells and have the shapes down pat but don't like the colors. Think I mixed the marbled clay too much. Any suggestions out there?

Everybody says I should have a blog.

2009-05-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

Well everyone has a blog and I follow some polymer clay blogs so I guess I should have one too. I like reading about other clayheads and seeing their work and the work of other beaders, designers, and beadmakers so maybe they will like seeing what I do.

I started off beading by restringing customer's jewelry in my store and stringing my own pearls in my inventory. It allowed me to string them my way and to pick the necklaces and quality I carried. Then I discovered other gemstones, lampwork, and finally polymer clay, which is fabulous because if I don't have the colors or shapes I need I can make them instead of spending hours looking for the right beads. Makes sense to me and the addiction began!

Then I joined The Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild and found out just how much I don't know and how much more fun there is to be had. The members are fantastically talented and the most fun loving and wonderful bunch. I am truly blessed to have found this group.

So I'm going to be posting some of my work early to now and as I go along I'll put up more. Feel free to drop me a hello.