Polymer clay crocheted heart/flower decor - Free video tutorial for Valentine!

In our family, a fridge is not just a place to put your groceries. It's a photo album+.

Photos, magnets, memos, test schedule, special announcements, calendars, bills - thank god that fridges are so big you can place items on all 3 sides of it ;)

Anyway, it's a while now that my mother asked me for REAL photos of my kids. Not digital photos - real ones.

In the digital age we hardly make photo copies any more, almost all of us have gazillion photos in our hard drive and almost none in our albums and guess what - although this happen we keep buying the newest camera on the market.

So I decided, it's a good time to make 3 special photo decorations for my mom's fridge with all 6 grandchildren photos - mine and my 2 sisters.

For a while now I wanted to combine my basic crochet skills in a polymer clay piece so this was a fun project that can be a last minute gift for your loved ones, Valentine or any occasion, this decoration can be used as a big magnet on a fridge, a wall hanging ornament, a key-chain, bag charm, beads for a necklace or even part of a gift wrap!

The great thing about doing this project with polymer clay is that you can apply any technique you like on it and you'll get an original design. Of course it can be done with paper, air dry clay and many other materials as well, just keep in mind the holes and the hook size.

Basic crochet knowledge is recommended but if you do not know how to crochet you will get the idea by watching me work plus a recommended YouTube channel for many crochet tutorials. This channel taught me so much! I really recommend it.

So mom, even though Valentine is a holiday you mostly celebrate with your other half (mine is going to be abroad) - this one is for you :)

Animal Farm, A peek behind the curtain

It's been a while that i was waiting for an opportunity to create my own animal collection of charms, ever since i saw felt and fabric folks do it, I wanted to make some from polymer clay.

A week ago I got a phone call from a lady, she is a director in one of the collages here in Israel, theater department. The lady asked me if I can create animal keychains, she said that they are doing a play called "Animal Farm" based on a novel by George Orwell, each actor will receive a special gift at the "finale'" of the play featuring his own character.
What a great idea!
Exactly what I was waiting for.

I made about 25 charms, some not even in the play (penguin? polar bear?)

I had so much fun creating them I couldn't stop :)

You can see how 4 of them were made in 2 videos - The pig, the sheep, the horse and the chicken.
It's really all about working with cookie cutters and creating a flat, 2D design, playing with colors, shapes and having fun.

Let the show begin!

Part 1 - Pig and sheep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ9AfsMZy_w&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Part 2 - Chicken and horse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anBSGS034cc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Summer TRIO!

The countdown is really on now as there are only 2 more days left of summer vacation, and then the kids are back to school. They're not too happy about it, but I sure am *LOL* While it's been wonderful having them home, it's been chaotic as well :)

It is also the "end of the summer", but that doesn’t mean all of the fun has to stop :)

the weather is still hot every where on the planet, so the good news is that summer will stay for a while. In Israel it usually leaves at my birthday month (November) so we have a long wait!

While i was thinking for "end of summer" tutorials ideas, my daghter & myself went to buy her school equipment, getting ready for next year (she is 14).

We walked around, when suddenly her old Havaianas flip-flops came apart and we started laughing, "what should i do now, mom? walk barefoot?" she asked me, so we added a new pair of Havaianas to our list and i got a nice reminder about my popular flip-flops beads i used to make - they are always a big hit, making them with adults and children - why not write a tutorial about it?

So, just before the summer officially ends and the cooler weather comes our way, let's celebrate this time with an event that’s gonna leave a warm reminder -

Summer Trio is for you! fun for everyone!

I have come up with 3 New PolyPediaOnline Summer Classes -

1 - 3 variations of my Fashionable (and comfortable!) flip flop beads! to be used as charms for cell phones, keychains, earrings, pendants and so much more!

2 - Round, shiny and colorful beach ball beads! you will certainly love to attach to your summer beads

3 - Lot's of cool popsicle beads! - ice, vanilla, chocolate, cream, strawberry & 4 colored - make a beautiful charm bracelet out of them!

Buy only 1 - and get 2 additional for free!

yes, That's not a mistake :)

all the details can be found in this Summer TRIO page!

Have fun and a great new school year!

Polymeri Online 26/11/09

Robyn Gordon has a 25 years expertise in art - from jewelry, sculpturings, mix media, painting, drawing and more. she is mixing lot of materials in her work and you can see some of her polymer work in her jewelry section (photo)
http://www.robyngordon.com.au/

Lisa Pavelka talkes about PARDO clay, she is showing some of it's flexibility and other charactes of the clay. i got some samples in the mail and from my 1st impression, it has lot's of possibilities.
http://www.clayshop.eu/categories.php?category=Pardo-Jewellery-Clay-Basic

CreaShines is Polymer Clay Jewelry by Stacey Hines, stacey takes polymer clay as a cradle for beautiful charms and embed them inside to create a unique look.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreaShines

Here you at humbleBea's you will find miniature gnomes and art sculptures, some of them combines polymer clay, home decor, jewelry, and more.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/humblebea

Last one is a Puppy Dog Face Polymer Clay Millefiori Cane by Mgilinfo - so cute!http://www.flickr.com/photos/mgilinfo/4115286814/in/pool-93628034@N00

Polymeri Online 16.10.08 and some personal stuff

Judy Belsky lives in Israel, she discovered collage and polymer clay around the same time - ten years ago. Although she painted and loved to paint all through her life, collage liberated her soul. After collage, there is no such thing as a bad art day. Everything is useful and recyclable. You don’t have to be a perfect little girl! Polymer clay came into her life at the same time and with a similar message. It is such a forgiving, flexible, exciting material. she has integrated polymer clay into her collage because it is a third dimension and can take on a weathered, aged look that is still vibrant.

http://www.judybelsky.com/collage.php

Look at this sweet marie-antoinette - i think she's adorable, and there are more of a similar design in lacigalecristalline's photostream in flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68649478@N00/2919155730/in/photostream/
if you haven't yet bookmarked her blog - http://cristalline.blogspot.com/ it's a must have.

fantasy sculpture from polymer clay by dolhathai Srijancharoen, she is a native of Thailand born into a family skilled in folk art and music, she received her master’s degree from the College of Fine Art in Bangkok. At the beginning of my career she worked as an illustrator for children’s books and went on to become a journalist, columnist and editor for several newspapers and magazines there. She relocated to New York City in 2001 and began crafting my fairies in polymer clay soon after.
http://www.littlepooh.com/doll.html

Faeries From The Swamp by Antoine - she has been an artist all her life, it was inevitable that she would start sculpting. It wasn’t until 2003, however, that she tried polymer clays. her very first completed faerie was a fat naked man who resembled an uncle of hers. In the beginning she made many little fat men and boys but soon evolved to very thin faeries. Presently her faeries range in size from 3” to about 5” seated. Each is a one of a kind sculpture created over a wire armature for added strength and durability. Most have wings, but some do not. Each somehow resembles either someone she knows or have seen before.
http://ant-1.net/swamp.html

and some personals? 4 days ago i celebrated my 15th anniversiry with my beloved partner and husband, and in 3 days we are celebrating my daughter's bat-mitzva party (real birthday only in november) :) lot's of celebrations! let's have fun!!

Polymeri Online 14.8.08

Should i begin with a OT story? Normally my life are real peaceful, no "action" stories, but yesterday a hornet stinged me in my butt... yes, i know it sounds funny :) and i agree, but it's really uncomfortable to sit and clay now ;)

It happened while i was driving with my car windows open and she simply got in while i was driving and fell between my legs, when trying to get out of my car and getting rid of her, the %&*& just stuck her sting in my ... you know where...

in case you are wondering i feel fine now, nothing i won't survive :)

lesson to be learned - even though the air is cool and clear at 7am in the morning, never drive with your car windows open, you don't know who's gonna visit you.

let's see some cool links, i really love each and every one i am featuring today (like always)-

Doreen's miniature are SO cute, you just want to drool and grab a bite -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doreenseng/

Jane is almost 21. She's recently developed a hobby in creating cute charms from polymer clay - http://www.flickr.com/photos/28195862@N05/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5936782

island♥pixie's - The name Island Pixie is based on her niece, She inspires her and all the cute little creations she makes. she is addicted to handmade, and likes to create all kinds of goodies with clay like cupcakes, donuts, ice cream cones to lady bugs, octopus and flowers.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98355875@N00/

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=70811

hollyjayne / Holly from Australia (photo attached) makes adorable bears you just want to hug -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22594829@N04/2323731665/
http://www.hollyjayne.com/

My dear friend Judy Belcher posted some new photos in her flickr site, both of her amazing work and some of Euro Carnival -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9465294@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9465294@N07/sets/72157606627190534/

Polymeri Online 27.12.07 (last polymeri for 2007)

Rosie Bair
http://www.widdlefaeries.com/commerce.cgi
Rosie has been playing with polymer clay since she was young, but only recently started developing a true skill for the body form and for fantasy. Fantasy has been a subject of interest since childhood.

Fairies and Mermaids By Lori Schroeder
Lori is a designer and crafts person for Fancy Face Originals. For over 25 years have been making a full time living making polymer dolls and other handcrafted items.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5391438

Creepy and Whimsical Art Dolls by loopyboopy
loopyboopy loves quircky, odd, whimsical, cute, creepy and eerie things.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5104418

100% handmade polymer charms, jewelry, art, accessories by Jennifer a.k.a. Komodokat
Jennifer is a Graphic Designer/Artist living in Houston, Texas
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5215780

bunny X productions - Amy
Amy really loves sea creatures, mainly cephalopods. Octopus & squid are her favorites.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=2565

Erin Johnson from Australia
Erin was introduced to beading and jewellery making after buying a beading magazine by chance. She is making beautiful pieces from polymer clay along with other techniques.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinj/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5245897

clayspirits / Bianca van den Berg Rotterdam, Netherlands
In her teens she discovered polymer clay in a local craft shop. The colors and the possibility of the clay drew her attention and 20 years later it still does.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13916702@N05/

Wishing you all a great 2008!

Polymeri Online 20.9.07

Clay Sock Monkey - a nice project by HGTV and Becky Meverden that imitates the sweet soft sock monkey we all know -
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_figures/article/0,,HGTV_3237_1387052,00.html
Becky's site - http://www.meverden.net/

We, in Israel, turn green (of envy of course) every time we hear of the good time the PC girls are doing in the US, so if you feel like cruising (wish i could come...) - take a look -
Day Western Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans - Polymer Paradise '08 http://www.haleyhertz.com/

Acrylicana - this 21 yrs. Mary Winkler is doing sweet decors and charms and jewelry, some of them looks yummy! to navigate in her site choose the WORK tab
http://www.acrylicana.com/binder.html
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5033072

Bonecando com FIMO / Sandra
Sandra from Portugal makes humorist people figures designed as key chains, personally i loved the nurse one :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11612393@N08/
http://bonecando.blogspot.com/

she beads is all about millefiori beads and other creations, can't help it, millefiori is my weakness.
http://www.sbstore.com/

Creations Jacqueline creates lovely Knitting needles, crochet hooks, stitch markers, Pacifier holders and so much more!
http://www.creationsjacqueline.com/

Elizabeth Bonura made a big sculpture of human face - life size cake topper. in her flickr site you can see the stages from the beginning till the end. Elizabeth is also a member if PCAGOE
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9269103@N08/sets/72157601895489988/

More Yummy charms by liquorice-allosaurs - Pat Phillips : cupcakes and other charms
http://www.liquorice-allosaurs.com/index.html
http://www.liquorice-allosaurs.com/Zencart/

and blog:
http://liquorice-allosaurs.com/blog/

next week - cute 21 sculpturing projects!