PolyPediaOnline News | Free Spinning Christmas Tree Ornament Project, Free Tip on creating your own impression mold and Pre-Holiday Savings

Create a spinning tree decoration for your Christmas tree!

I know many of you are working hard on your final holiday preparations, cooking, cleaning, getting last minute gifts, we are dealing with the same issues here - Hanukkah is starting today!

It’s a very rare occasion (first time in over 100 years!), Thanksgiving and Hanukkah almost on the same date!

The combination of gratefulness and lighting our home is so appreciated and gives us the opportunity to show our love to our beloved, It's always a good time to say thank you to all around us who makes up happy, right?

So, can I steal a moment of your time? I promise it will be worthwhile...

I'm giving away gifts too!

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Free Christmas video project;

It started as a fun project for my son's science class and ended up as a Christmas ornament class - for you!

This is a fun project you can create yourself or with friends and family!

Add this tree decoration to your spinning ornaments - indoors, outdoors, polymer can handle all!

All you need is clay in your chosen colors (red, green and white?), permanent markers, extruder (optional), a piece of wire and you're ready!

Click here to view the video, I'd be happy to hear your comments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoLyI9pgvv0

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Use corn leaf to create
your own impression mold

Free tip for creating your own texture mold;

If you know me long enough you'd know I cannot put aside my recent projects that easily, I am still playing with the flower academy tutorial and looking for creative ways to make my own tools and materials.

Since the industrial corn impression mold was one of the most popular molds in making our polymer clay flowers, I looked for a real corn leaf to make my own leaf impression.

Flower academy polymer clay
life like flowers, used with the mold

The leaf was dried for a full week flat, between dishtowel paper (changed each day) and on top of it, a heavy book. When it was completely dry It was pressed onto scrap clay using a roller, and... voila! a new "zero cost" impression mold!

Corn is one of Thanksgiving symbols, right?

Don't forget to save a leaf and keep aside for your polymer clay projects...

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Finally, I wish to thank you personally.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your support of my PolymeriOnline blog and PolyPediaOnline tutorials website.

I hope you have enjoyed learning more about polymer clay, and that your creative self has matured as a result. I know I am learning new things everyday. Inspiration and creativity makes me happy.

Thank you for being such an important part of my life and my passion.

I am inviting you to join me for a seven-day polymer clay "Extravaganza":
Our "personal 2013 PolyPediaOnline CyberDays".

From today until midnight on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 I am sharing my personal polymer clay joy, offering you the very best discounts of the season.

Missed a promotion sale of one of your favorite techniques?

All tutorials are now offered for 20% OFF*!

This is your chance to learn a new class that was on your wish list!

Mention CODE “Christmas20%OFF” on checkout and a refund will be sent to you on PayPal within 24 hours of purchase.

Choose from the all 54 tutorials available and start creating today!

Millefiori canes, jewelry of all brands, shapes and types, liquid clay and alcohol inks techniques, life like flowers, Extruder wonders, faux ceramics, and many more...

Click here -

http://www.polypediaonline.com/133688/Contents-Table

Wishing you a happy thanksgiving / Hannukah holiday!

Polymeri Online 19.11.13 | Sabine visiting Israel, Textures textures, Copper wire bordering, Polymer and alcohol inks, Discovering a new polymer galaxy, Miniature acetate eye glasses

It's already tuesday. Time is running when we are busy...
As you already know from Facebook (or maybe not yet), Switzerland polymer clay artist Sabine Backer is my guest in Israel the past week. We had a great week, traveling around the country, leaving enough for the next trip, weather is perfect, sunny and warm.
Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Haifa; getting familiar with new cuisines (Falafel, tahini, hummus) and!.... getting a new tattoo for Sabine! Surprising moments noted here!

Texture, anyone?

Googling around the net looking for new ideas and inspiration, I found a pin by Jill Palumbo, pinned by Tibby Craythorne, who decided to make her own textures using plastic doilies, lace and textured scrap book paper. I used lace and doilies but plastic ones? didn't think of these.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/388365167836175725/

You can also use Anna Jour technique for making your own texture using transparent film and liner for stained glass/ceramics. Anna is using this method in her Mokume Gane beads.
And, Laura Tabakman carving sheet technique for creating your own textures -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauratabakman/499650970/

Pam's copper wire beads

Pam Sanders says about herself she is a very eclectic mixed media artist, obsessed with making things. She loves bizarre art.
She uses copper wire in her art as a decorative border around her beads, as if it is a thread sewn into polymer.

Wire can do wonders in a polymer piece, who ever master it's techniques has a gift in his hands.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/polypam/4993673506/

Polymer & Marker inks

The polymer clay Russian community is always a gem of inspiration and ideas.
Masha Koekak creates these inked rings and beads. Their size range from 3 to 7.5 cm, The technique include creating a clay sheet, painted on all sides with alcohol based markers. The markers create a thin layer of paint, each is sealing the tone of the previous color. Interesting effects come out as a result. The final piece is sealed with a thin layer of FIMO gel and it is bright and colorful especially on day light!
http://polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com/4835373.html
http://masha-koekak.livejournal.com

Polymer Galaxy

Another link from the cold country girls is presenting a new polymer clay galaxy discovered recently. Cosmobo created a solar system made entirely of polymer clay - Sun, venus, mercury, earth and all others are a beautiful collection of pins or pendants. Cosmobo is using cernit in some of her projects and I can see more materials and goodies hidden inside her designs.
http://polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com/4871313.html
http://cosmobo.livejournal.com

miniature eyeglasses from wire and acetate

Rose Favero posted a cool tutorial for making super miniature eyeglasses from wire and acetate. Naturally this is not polymer but can be a great addition to your polymer clay faces!
All you need is scissors, pliers, tweezers, office hole punch, acetate and wire.
http://aventuraeminiatura.blogspot.co.il/2012/04/tutorial-dos-oculos-por-rose-favero.html

Next week I am back to my regular routine. Having a short pause from all duties this week,  and spending quality time touring the country with Sabine was enjoying and fun.
Have a great rest of the week!

Polymeri Online 6.11.13 | My winter promises, Rustic polymer clay buttons tutorial, Dreidels and ornaments, Polymer airlines, Reversible necklace moon and stars cane and Dragon heads fantasy

It's the middle of the week and I'm getting ready for a special polymer guest coming to visit me here in Israel. I'm so excited to see her again and we plan to enjoy a full week together, touring around the country and see the main attractions.
If you're wondering who it is, you'll have to wait for my next post or follow me on FB, I guess we will post pictures there...

After the intensive work I am taking a short break from polymer clay work (no worries, just a short one) and working on another favorite craft - crochet. This winter I promise myself to start (and hopefully finish) a "granny square" blanket, so I purchased a tutorial by Lisa Clarke and started to work on my squares. Some of them will be flowers, some others. I am still a beginner with crochet but the repetitive process is so relaxing and enjoyable.

A crochet carpet I made from torn bed sheets, 
Guess who is enjoying it's beauty and comfort? 

Starting to work on my squares

Lisa Clarke's Rustic Buttons tutorial

Lisa Clarke, my virtual crochet mentor, which is a very talented knitter and a polymer clay artist, shares in her blog many of her trials, projects and ideas.
Here is one of them showing a cool way to create rustic-looking buttons by using clay, powders, cutting and exchanging shades/shapes and these are rolled flat to create a pattern sheet as a base to her buttons. Really cool!
http://www.lisaclarke.net/2013/10/24/how-to-make-rustic-buttons-even-when-it-all-goes-horribly-wrong/

Shulamit Raanan's Dreidel

One of my Israeli colleague, Shulamit Raanan is already organized her shop for the holidays - both Christmas and Hanukah with fun dreidels and ornaments. Every year I want to make my own dreidel and every year something is keeping me from doing it... maybe this year?
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShuliDesigns

Polymer on planes?

Thomas Otto is covering air planes! No, seriously, it's not United Airlines planes, they are a bit smaller, He then add a cool looking pilot (mouse!) and Tada!
He shares his process of creating an armature with wire and aluminum foil and after the base is ready, he is covering it with clay.
Looks like a lot of hard work!
https://www.facebook.com/thomas.otto.100

Moon and stars cane tutorial on YouTube

Teresa Pandora Salgado published a video on YouTube showing you how to create beads. It is a basic class but it is always nice to see new ways of work and Teresa mentioned a new material she is using as a finish to her polymer clay pieces - Aleen's Jewelry Pendant Gel. She mentions it in her next Reversible necklace video. Teresa is also recommending to save your coffee lids to use as side support while reducing your canes. Recycling!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJzkzmUlwWc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Dragon heads by Makosla

Makosla Creations (Canadian artist Astrid Ayora Carvajal) focuses on Dragons and fantasy sculpture. She is doing mainly dragon heads but you can find cats and other designs as well.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MakoslaCreations
http://makosla.com/polymer-clay-jewelry/

Have a great week! Weekend is only few days away :)

Polymeri Online 23.10.13 | Coffee anyone, Twisted side of polymer clay, 17 ideas for jewelry hangers, PC Bowteek, Ahemm picture of me 20 yrs ago and new Flower Academy upgraded IKEA picture frames

Now that most of the hard work on the Flower Academy tutorial is behind us (all that's left is packing and packing), I can go back to my regular routine and post interesting links from the world around us.

I stumbled across Italian Duecentogrammi's work via Intagram, then followed her into Facebook, enjoying the view. 

Colorful millefiori patterns & designs are surrounding her work, so bright and wonderful! 

In this Coffee set she decorated plates, cups and a pitcher! Geometric patterns are her main focus and they combine beautifully with the rainbow skinner blends.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/duecentogrammi/172383894855

http://www.duecentogrammi.com

Another polymer clay artist I found via Instagram was UK DeeRaaArts, Kirsti which is playing with polymer clay for 6 years now. She mixes her cartoony, colorful and happy side, with a dark, mischievous, slightly twisted side, as she calls it. She posts her process photos in Instagram, look her up and follow.

https://www.facebook.com/DeeRaaArts

http://deeraaarts.bigcartel.com

ArchitecturArtDesigns blog posted 17 creative diy ideas for jewelry hangers. You can use those simple yet impressive ideas by collecting some of your un-used or neglected home tools! Garden tools, boxes, cloth hangers and even a grater! Click the link below to get inspired.

http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/top-17-creative-diy-ideas-for-jewelry-hangers/

Last one for today is PGBowteek (Shannon) Etsy boutique where she creates every bow with lot's of love!

She is a wife and sahm of 8! (I admire these mothers!) and also have a grandson.  Shannon has been creating bows since 1993 but been online since 2000. Every hair bow is decorated with a matching polymer clay center and the final result is so fun and cheerful! 

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

Last Reminder! If you're still looking for a special gift for yourself (a blooming tutorial) or for your loved ones, how about creating a magnificent flower brooch for your auntie? A flower bouquet for your mom? A set of flower pot magnets for your cousin? A beautiful flower decorated mirror for your sister? 

Create beautiful and colorful bobby pins for your bridesmaids? Dramatic flower ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree? Add pizzas to your home with cheerful holy branches? Decorate your gifts with life lasting Mistletoe branches?

The options are endless!

The Flower Academy tutorial is still on promotion and dozens of new students are joining the "Academy",

Thank you Sage Bray and Cynthia Tinnaple for the feature!

Here are 3 photo frames I made a couple of days ago, upgrading simple IKEA frames with acrylic paints and adding fantasy flowers for decoration. Isn't this colorful and happy? 

My son, age 10 months (He is 14 now....time flies...)

My daughter Maya

Yes, and that's me, 20 years ago... So 90s! ;)
My husband will never forget his bordeaux suit ("...why did I choose this color?!"..)
He did not imagine it would match the frame color, 20 yrs after...

Get answers to 11 of the most burning questions regarding the Flower Academy tutorial - All your urgent questions are answered in this link.

Just in time for the Christmas holiday, join the hundreds who watched the FREE Mistletoe video offered as a complimentary gift -

In case you are wondering who is the sweet girl in our photos, that's my lovely daughter, Maya, who gracefully agreed to all her mother's requests (ahemmm and there were quite a few...) and posed as our flower girl model.

 

Don't miss the special offer expires on November 1st!

Make sure you start early and create the most original Christmas gifts!

http://www.polypediaonline.com/polymer-clay-tutorials-life-like-flowers-polypediaonline.html

As Gabriela said -

..."This must be the most extensive flower guide in polymer ever made; there are quite a few for air dry clay or sugar, but those don’t of course solve technical issues related to polymer clay, nor do they offer such variety of projects. Well thought out and well made!..."

Come and follow us into the garden..

http://www.polypediaonline.com/polymer-clay-tutorials-life-like-flowers-polypediaonline.html

The "Flower Academy" Polymer Clay life-like flower Encyclopedia | Follow Us Into The Garden...

Congratulations!
Locart!
You are the winner of our contest!

You have just won The new "Flower Academy" Online Tutorial set! 
Your prize will be sent to your Email, as promised. We truly hope you'll enjoy it and create many beautiful flowers!

The Flower Academy tutorial is our new, full scale, one and only Polymer Clay life-like flower Encyclopedia! 

Want to check out our garden? Click here & come on in!

I must tell all of you that we were truly amazed, while reading all 138 comments you wrote.
Lots of them were ON THE SPOT!

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"Creating a lasting bouquet that never has to be watered, will never lose its beautiful petals, will never fade. Fresh PolyFlowers any time of the year!" (Kris)

"I think the tutorials are about sculpting flowers and seeds, Chrysanthemum, Lilly, Holly, Roses, etc. Perhaps for use as table decorating, wreaths and even Christmas tree ornaments. Can't wait" (Land Dillon)

"I see exotic flowers of stupendous beauty and the opportunity to learn how I too can be successful with new techniques that create exotic flowers and foliage" (Sandra Boyer)

 "Life like flowers!" (Effeemac)
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So what is the New "Flower Academy" tutorial all about?

It is about a world of color, beauty & emotions, creating eternal life like flowers, to be enjoyed by all flower lovers.

With the Flower Academy tutorial set you can own any flower you want, any time you want it, in any color, size and quantity, regardless of seasons, weather and availability in flower shops!

 You will learn how-to create 26 different realistic flowers with a striking life-like appearance, no one will believe they are made of clay!

 You will learn new techniques that have been created especially for this tutorial. These techniques will become an inseparable part of your creating knowledge.

As far as we know, this is the only comprehensive real life like Polymer Clay flowers video and PDF Encyclopedia, available world wide!

 This is a all levels tutorial to create your favorite everlasting, always fresh PolyFlowers!

To find out all about my secret partner; how we mixed sugar and polymer clay, and last but not least - How you too can become a polymer play floral master in our Academy,

Come, follow us into the garden; Peony, Rose, Dahlia and 23 of their floral relatives are anxious to meet you! 

Click Here -http://www.polypediaonline.com/polymer-clay-tutorials-life-like-flowers-polypediaonline.html

Announcing the 50th tutorials celebration and a special GIVEAWAY!

"…Deck the halls with boughs of holly la la la la, la la la la…"

You are probably wondering why I'm spreading Christmas cheer in October, well, in a few days I'll be announcing a new tutorial set I created with a very good secret friend of mine, my special gift to the upcoming holidays.

I can't tell you anything about the tutorial, just yet, but I can tell you it is the most magnificent tutorial set I have ever created.
It is by far the best, most elaborate, extensive, tutorial available anywhere!

Do I have your attention? 

Well, since this is a big surprise, we decided to have a guessing contest, and the winner will win all 5 volumes of our tutorial, with unlimited on line access to all videos, files and fun!

The tutorial includes over 40 final projects, 29 easy to follow videos, 14 hours of step-by-step content and a gallery of over 250 photos for close observation and multiple viewed angles of each project!

Wait till you see it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So what do you need to do in order to participate and have a chance to win this amazing prize?

3 things....  

Check out closely the image posted on top of this post. 
Thank You! The contest is closed!
Enter our Flower Academy garden!

1. Guess what you think our tutorial is about or what you think you see in the photo and write your guess in the comment section (psssstt... you can peek and see what others wrote...)

2. Write your e-mail in your response, we want to send the prize to our winner!

3. If you want to share this blog post with your Facebook friends and Twitter followers you will double your chances! Press on the relevant icon on the bottom of this post to share, or "copy & paste" the post link.

That's it! You're done!

To determine who wins our fabulous prize we will hold a raffle and the winner will be announced on the blog.
Make sure you come back on October 15th 2013 to find out if you won!

Good luck!
Let the guessing begin! :)

Polymeri Online 6.10.13 | Zipper your pendant, Flipped tin foil tray as baking surface, Kate's amazing cosmic ceramic beads, Brrrr..Fleshlettes and Playing with dots

Wait! Wait! Before you throw your rotten tomatoes at me, asking where did I disappear, you will understand in a week or so. I was 200% occupied. Believe me, I look like a chair and feel like a chair after so many hours of sitting...and my chair is not even comfortable!!

But let's leave that aside,
What's new in the Polymer clay world Webosphera?

I'll have to rely on fellow friends and share with you some of their goodies, Eva Susanska found these 2 great links - One by Avalin from polymerclayfimo blog, Avalin is demonstrating a short and fun tutorial for creating a faux zipper for a pendant or any other creation of your choice.
http://polymerclayfimo.livejournal.com/2470618.html

And Kralemie is sharing a simple and un expensive idea to bake your beads on - Use a disposable tin tray, cut it's edges and you have a channeled tray for your pierced beads!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/krale-mie/6222488909/
Although she is into crocheting, she is offering her ideas on polymer clay.

Kate's cosmic ceramic beads

Kate Golding surprised me with her BEAUTIFUL cosmic ceramic beads. They are all listed in her Etsy store but if you want to enjoy her gems all in one shot, press on this photo to enlarge. I was so excited to see it!
Art and Craftsmanship have always been a part of her life. Thanks to her mother, who introduced her to a world of crafts and skills, Kate's youth was filled with, drawing, painting, basket weaving, beading, macrame, sculpting ( including 70s version of polymer clay).
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SkippingRockStudio1

Jonathan's faux eyes

Beware of this link - scary stuff -
California-based artist Jonathan Payne has created a series of grotesque-looking sculptures called the ‘Fleshlettes’.
Made with polymer clay and acrylics, each Fleshlette has a unique personality and has been molded to look like a human body part such as the eye, tongue etc. Amazing how realistic this looks, if only we could use these as replacements... Brrrrr, seems like a great gift if you want to scare someone to death!
http://designtaxi.com/news/355075/Grotesque-Sculptures-Of-The-Human-Body/

Kollika's polymer clay owl tutorial

Let's finish with an elegant mini-tutorial; A wonderful owl brooch using thin snakes and balls by Kollika. A tooth pick is used instead of hands/finger. I truly believe that artists who create such a work deserve a medal.
http://kopilka.rv.ua/?p=5116

My next post will be (almost) announcing my new tutorial and playing a fun game with you guys. Stay tuned.