Polymeri Online 16.8.13 | Back from Barcelona, Horror polymer, Natural geometries jewelry, Mike Waxowski tutorial, Wire knitting with polymer clay and my Skyscraper jewelry in Cynthia Tinnaple's book

Hola everyone! 

Yes, I'm back from a family trip to Spain; me, dh and 2 kids; It was hot, humid and wonderful :)

Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid, such an exciting cities! So much to see!
Really recommended for your next trips but! not in August! Weather was non-tourist-friendly even though there are millions of people on the streets!
Glad to be home :)

I am here for only a short week and then off to the beautiful Prague for teaching ~20 eager minds, looking forward to learning more about polymer clay.
If you want to join at the last minute, I think there is one or two last spots available - more details here - http://www.polymerove-hmoty.cz/Default.aspx?detail=a0ca7301-f2f9-4254-81a7-e1f47153240c

New links?

Jacob Reed polymer clay sculptures

Jacob Reed from Maryland, USA, is the owner of Shadow Work Art.
He claims that his horror-themed creations are a bit of a reflection of his own shadow, which he tries to acknowledge as best he can. The jewelry are the lighter side of him attempting to make nice with the darker side...
In his work he uses super sculpey, acrylics, varnish and his work is custom made.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShadowWorkArt

Mindful Matters Jewelry

Diane is a chemist but Mindful Matters Jewelry is a whimsical jewelry boutique featuring her one-of-a-kind pendants, earrings, bracelets, hair accessories and bookmarks made of polymer & precious metal clay (PMC), sterling & fine silver and mixed metals. |
Her work aspires to translate intriguing natural geometries, patterns and textures into fun & wearable art jewelry.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/mindfulmatters

El Arte De Pau's Mike Waxowski
YouTube tutorial

El Arte De Pau's Mike Waxowski YouTube tutorial from Monsters movie is so cute! There are several fun tutorials in her YouTube channel you may want to check out -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmYH6dlaBAY
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElArtedePAU
https://www.facebook.com/ElArteDePau

Liudmyla Heggland polymer clay jewelry

Liudmyla Heggland 
polymer clay mask jewelry

Take a look at the polymer clay jewelry by Liudmyla Heggland, a mix of wonderful beading, wire knitting and polymer clay beads.
Liudmyla or as she is calls herself - Mila, is currently living in Norway.
http://www.mylovelybeads.com/php/newsletter/201006/mila9.html
More of her jewelry on Flickr -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mila-heggland/
And check out her quick tutorial for faux sea-urchin (browse the photos for the steps)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mila-heggland/4594450299/

Back from the post office; between the supplies, findings and other goodies there was my Amazon envelope - The wonderful book by Cynthia Tinapple featuring my skyscraper jewelry!
The book is a wonderful collection of polymer clay creations, inspiration and artists.
This one, placed next to my bed will assure genuine polymer clay dreams!

Polymer Clay Global Perspectives Book
Featuring my Skyscraper jewelry

Have a wonderful weekend!

Polymeri Online 28.6.13 | Jason's Customs, Mavi's cartooned polymer clay portraits, Ewa's Zoo and white feathers tutorial

Summer is officially announced, but here, in Israel it's hot for more than 2 months.

Heat has a tendency to keep me away from my studio (clay is not behaving nicely during the summer...) but I am working on new projects so the AC is working extra hours...;)

I stumbled upon Jason Simpson's work when I opened an Instagram account few days ago, searching for polymer clay hashtags, then I noticed his bold, unique sculpturing.

Jason says his shop is inhabited by things what comes out of his brain through his fingers and into Sculpey material. He is from Canada and have been sculpting and painting for over 20 years. 

His "customs" (what he calls his ooak creations) are made of polymer clay, acrylic paints, pens, pencils, sculpted, carved and painted. His artwork is remarkable. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MongrelLabs

2D polymer clay portraits

Philippines based Mavi crafts are a couple working together creating 2D cartooned style polymer clay portraits, name tags, bag charms and other cute personalized designs. 

Their recent project is magnets for Edgar & Mila's 50th wedding anniversary. So cute!

https://www.facebook.com/mai9380v

Ewa's zoo - polymer clay cow

Sculpturing small animals is pure fun to both children and adults. I remember the day I took a local book teaching adorable animals from Plasticine and tried my skills in creating some. How was I? It was ok, not more :) Even my son did better than me.

Ewa from Poland, on the other hand, is doing a wonderful job in bringing to life scenes from the animals view. Monkey on a tree, cow sitting next to her cow friend, all with her sweet talent and clay balls in all kind of shapes and sizes. How could you not like it? Check out her free videos on YouTube and Facebook -

http://www.youtube.com/user/LetsClayWithEwa?feature=watch

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-clay-with-Ewa/525503667502530?fref=ts

white-gold polymer clay feathers

Last link is a simple and easy project I found online. Feathers are very much in fashion lately! If you're looking for a 10 minutes project for earrings, pendant or just a nice charm hanging on a gift, grab some white polymer clay, gold leafing pen/acrylic paints and get busy. Kelli makes it all look so easy!

http://www.100layercake.com/blog/2013/06/07/diy-clay-feathers-by-kelli-murray/

You are welcome to follow me on Instagram, search for "irismishly" and I'd be happy to see you there! I am posting photos from my daily work along with some personal stuff.

B.t.w - This photo is my illustration made by a friend. The great thing is that I got the skin of a 15 yrs old again! no wrinkles or sun spots! ;)

Have a great weekend!

Polymeri Online 23.6.12 | Hunger games polymer, Round PearlEx mirror, Pins curtain display, HUGE candy canes video and Reverse impression tutorial

Hunger Games Polymer
Clay Pendant

Ghie-Trinket Tales, a phillipins polymer clay artist and a chemist by profession presents a nice collection of polymer clay designs in her Flickr gallery - mirrors, pens, steampunk and jewelry, I loved her hunger game themed pendant! (don't tell anyone but I read all 3 books ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghienan/
http://trinkettalesbyghie.blogspot.co.il/2012/03/molding-hunger-games-inspired-pieces-in.html

Polymer Clay Round Mirror

After making my own new mirror, I found another beautiful stylish round mirror project (although from 2008) by The Artful Eye (couldn't find her/his name), The finished piece measures 14" in diameter and clay pieces were adhered with  glue. Most of the clay pieces have been painted with PearlEx powdered pigments.
http://www.artfuleye.com/2008/08/polymer-mosaic-mirror.html

Curtain Pins Display

Not sure it's polymer but take a look at m.misheva's wonderful fabric curtain used as a display for pins.
I think the pins shown here are made of polymer clay although she works with felt as well.
This decoration can be used both to your home curtains and as pins display in your studio.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56085107@N02/7079192491/

Reducing HUGE candy canes!

The next YouTube video was recently posted in the Israeli guild site by polymer artist Efi Warsh after returning from Amsterdam.
The video shows Papabubble Amsterdam creation of their HUGE candy canes. Did I say HUGE? These are gigantic canes! amazing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFfA6FxrDs0&feature=related

Another video posted in the Israeli site was Lisa Pavelka's YouTube tutorial for using her texture sheets to create reverse impressions. Thank you Liat Ripp for this reminder :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI6dCXA0Zd4

Polymer Clay Reverse Impressions

You can also see a design made in this technique by Angela Hickey, she made this barrette by first making a reverse impression using a Lisa's rubber stamp. Next filled in the impression using Kato liquid clay tinted with mica powders.
Her Flickr gallery shows many of her recent creations using this technique -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/polymer_clay_creations/7396625058/

Have a great weekend!

New Video - Filling a metal bezel with polymer clay

My sister is moving to a new home and asked me to create "mezuzah" (doorpost) to her house doors (in fact, I made 14 of them).

In jewish tradition the mezuzah cases are placed on every doorway at home apart from bathrooms. Inside the metal mezuzah there is a piece of parchment inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah. The mezuzah is also a symbol of Gods watchful care over the home.

While I was working, I kept the camera working and here is a short tutorial on how to place polymer clay design inside a metal bezel - in my case it's a mezuzah case but you can do the same with any metal bezel.

All you have to do is measure the size of the inside space of your bezel and draw it on a paper (white or parchment), then create your design.

I made a simple geometric pattern made of silver clay, square skinner blend cane and stripes cane. The design was placed on a second sheet (background) and then flatten a bit to tighten well to the background sheet.

Liquid polymer clay was placed on the metal bezel and the design is placed inside the bezel.

Texture and decorations can be added - and it's ready!

Dear sis! wishing you congratulations on your new home! :)

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

FREE VIDEO! How To Cover Cutlery With Millefiori Canes

Here is a quick free 10 minutes "How-To" Video for covering simple cutlery with polymer clay retro millefiori canes.

Choose your cutlery - small or big and make an original set with colorful millefiori canes!

How about you?

What is YOUR favorite millefiori project?

Pile of crumbs all over your table and floor?

Did you ever try conditioning dry clay and got a pile of crumbs all over your table and floor?

Here is my solution to this mess!

I took a chocolate box and after it's content has vanished (I'm innocent!! ;) ) I used it for storing short canes and I figured that the lid can be used as a small tray under the pasta machine to catch all those crumbs falling from the dry clay conditioning.

This way you don't have to clean the table and floor, and the tray is helping us to collect the leftovers back into the clay sheet, every falling crumb or piece is waiting to be cleaned or back to the clay for further conditioning.

When you're done, all you have to do is take a baby wipe and clean the tray!

Watch my Youtube video demonstrating it! In the video you will find other conditioning tips i am using for old, dry and even fresh clay.

Now, get yourself some chocolate :)

A quick holidays freebie! make your own polymer clay tree decoration :)

Even though it's still hot & dry in Israel, i am joining the festive atmosphere of upcoming Christmas.

Snow? i don't think I'll see any where i live, but the weather man promised rain this weekend! let's hope for some showers :)

Enjoy this free video on making a Christmas tree decoration using a snowman figure, tree cutter and holiday colors!

Shana Tova!

Rosh Hashanah in the jewish tradition is the "head of the year, or the "start" of a new year, one of the foods that is most commonly eaten on Rosh Hashanah are apples dipped in honey, for this reason people like the holiday symbols and this is a good opportunity to create something nice with apples, honey, bees or similar related themes.

In these 2 videos i want to show you how to make a nice apple magnet using an apple shaped cookie cutter and a rubber stamp decorated with a smiley bee. This magnet will look nice on your fridge, dish washer and even on your car door! let's wish every one happy holidays! - Hag Sameach (in hebrew)!

Shana Tova to all my friends and a great year to come!

How to reduce 3 types of canes - 15 minutes video

If you had'nt had the chance to watch my 15 minutes video on reducing 3 types of canes - triangle, square/rectangle and a round cane, i strongly recommend to watch it.

I got many questions asking to see a live demonstration on how to reduce large size canes in all 3 shapes. Sometimes photos are not enough to show the hands movement and this is why a video is the perfect media.

The canes i am reducing are - rose cane, a butterfly wing cane and my signature name cane.

I uploaded an improved sound video, the last ones didn't upload so well, so these ones has a better quality.

Part 1

Part 2

thank you :)

i am happy to announce 3 new Tutorials :)

For the past few weeks i've been doing some "artistic" thinking. I was reading the survey feedbacks i got from my PolyPediaOnline members, and thought how can I pass my knowledge forward.

Clearly people want to learn! so many questions, queries, so many people wish to improve their skills, upgrade their work and even sell and make a living.

I took my real notebook (not my laptop :) ) and a pen and started listing my next projects.

Some of the projects were very clear to me since i made them so many times, but one of them was a little bit new to me. it was a tutorial on making a butterfly cane which so many of you asked for.

Now, this was a challenge!

would you believe me if i tell you that up until few weeks ago i have never made a butterfly cane? in all my 5 years of working with polymer and making canes i never made one. i don't know why, but this huge looking cane always intimidated me. i was certain that my 1st cane will be a disaster. to my surprise - it wasn't! i managed to go through the whole process without making any (almost) mistakes! i was so proud of myself!

Sometimes we fear the unknown, especially when in comes to artistic skills - "How do i start with such a complex project?", "what if a creation comes out all wrong?", "what will happen to all that clay i wasted? will it go to my scrap again?", - do you ask yourself these questions? I do! Yes, even an experienced clayer like me ask these questions all the time. When you ask the questions - you get answers!

Over the years I found different ways to avoid making mistakes, usually while trial and error, this is why i want to share my knowledge to simplify things - Creating has never been easier - with clear instructions, good photos, some diagrams & planning, everyone can make perfect canes - everyone.

i am happy to announce 3 new Tutorials :)

Let's introduce the new guys on the block -

The first is PolyPediaOnline Vol 8

A Great how-to on creating 3 polymer clay butterflies millefiori canes - 39 pages Step-by-Step Instructions that include both a one set wing butterfly (side view) and a two set wing butterfly plus a bonus of a "petal" butterfly idea with 150+ photos to guide you through.

The second is PolyPediaOnline Vol 9

7 beautiful roses millefiori canes - 97(!) pages Step-by-Step

Instructions, 370+ photos, includes classic rose canes, 3D rose canes, buds, outlined rose cane and more, plus a bonus of a 2 skinnered leaf cane and some cool diagrams for you to work with when building your canes.

This tutorial is so comprehensive and detailed i will be sending it in 2 seperate files.

And the last one is PolyPediaOnline Vol 10

A very useful guide to making your own signature namecane. A signature name cane is a wonderful way to personalize your pieces.

Clear and detailed instructions, 19 pages and about 60 full-color pictures to guide you through.

That's a fresh new resource to your future canes and creations!

But wait! there are more surprizes!

Don't miss my 2 part video on how to reduce all 3 types of canes: round, triangle and a square/rectangle. In this video i will be demonstrating how to reduce one of the rose canes, one butterfly wing and my signature name cane.

If you want to see how live reduction is made - you are welcome to join!

A special offer for all 3 tutorials is offered to you for 1 week only till 2nd of May. After that date price go back to regular.

you can see more details about it in this page

http://www.polypediaonline.com/133688/specialpolypedia8-9-10

First 20 buyers will get into a raffle to win a free tutorial!

& one of you will get 4 REAL canes from my personal cane box sent to your home!

you may get lucky! :)

Come and join the fun - http://www.polypediaonline.com/133688/specialpolypedia8-9-10

Thank you for your time & Have the best day :)

New PolyPediaOnlineTV youtube videos

passover holiday was great! and i had time to play with my new camera, and made 2 short videos -

the 1st one is about warming & softening your clay and canes, i have some real old and stiff polymer clay canes and packages in my stock, some of them since 2007 and older, they are HARD!

I heard about all kind of methods to soften the clay - dipping in warm water, covering with liquid clay, warming your canes in the oven to soften them (yes! i heard that one too!), sitting on clay (not canes :) ) and decided to try my herbal microwave pillow as a "warming facility". I warmed the pillow and placed an old cane inside, and - voila! it was warm and soft!

It's really a great way to prepare your clay to work - instead of making your arms and palms do the job - let the warm pillow do it. I warm my pillow for 2 minutes in the microwave and place some packs inside it, wait for few minutes (while i am keeping an eye on what's inside not to heat it too much) and checking to see it they are soft. usually i don't need more than 5 minutes to soften your clay.

If you put raw clay, i would recommend wrapping it with a plastic bag, so the herbal pillow won't get stains, we can't wash in washing machine it if it's dirty. give it a try! it's great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t24vmLQ5WnA

The 2nd video is about making polymer clay letters as decorations to a door or a book. i wanted to decorate my daughters' "heritage" book cover project with her name. Every child in Israel when arrives to the age of 13 has to do some invastigating about his heritage and family, the project is quite big and require some nice decoration to the wood book cover.

This project shows you how to make simple letters using cookie cutters, slices of canes and stripes sheet as a background. I know that the sound is a little bit low, sorry about that, but you can see from what i am doing what are the steps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1NIsetkp3U&feature=related

You can join my Youtube channel for updates on new video's coming up, it's so much fun!

The videos are available in polypediaonline.com site too - http://polypediaonline.com/133688/PolyPediaOnline-TV