Christmas Polymer Clay Projects! How-to Collection to some of my favorite holidays tutorials!

Finally we got some rain and cold this weekend, the past week was pratically summer with 30 Celsius (!) and it seems like winter will never come.
Israel's winters are notoriously known for their short period, it's funny that we even sell winter cloths, 1 month top and it's back to flip flops...

In this chilly spirit I am gathering some of the online Christmas polymer clay projects you can find online, some of these were posted in my blog in the past (taken from my YouTube channel) and some are fresh ideas for you to experiment just before the holiday approach or while you are spending your time warming up near the fire place with family, friends or having quality time to yourself (keep your clay away from the fire, though...)

Polymer clay Snowmen Pens Free Tutorial

One of my most popular projects was the Snowmen pens, a fun project for children and adults, don't miss it, it's so easy and so cute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6jef-RdMOY&feature=share&list=PL5OFbmvLBKtWYwviLx_fMYUon4XHoezqk&index=1

Christmas Tree ornaments

Christmas Ornaments to hang on your tree! Gather your cutters, clay and blades and start playing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMTc4CNcYPY

Mistletoe FREE tutorial

The Mistletoe FREE video project which was a part of the "Flower Academy" tutorial, this project can give you endless ideas and new tools and techniques to create with polymer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1tzByxGjJg

Crochet polymer clay photo frame

You can even take this crochet heart project and convert it into a beautiful Christmas photo frame using holidays colors!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7d_36iCTFo&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL5OFbmvLBKtX_lHEm010Ndbpg2vv7sIA4

Spinning tree ornament

and of course the recent How to spinning ornament made of strips of polymer clay, baked and painted.
You don't have to use an extruder for this project, you can also roll your sheets flat in the pasta machine and cut them manually, or use the fettuccine rollers to cut them wider.
Don't work with too thin strips so it won't break when you drill it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoLyI9pgvv0&list=PL5OFbmvLBKtWYwviLx_fMYUon4XHoezqk&index=1

Ginny's snowman tutorial

Ginny Baker is creating whimsical clay characters and all breed dogs items for over 22 years, here is a video of her demonstrating her handsome snowman sculpture!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fauvn7OP3J8
https://www.etsy.com/shop/designsbyginnybaker

Tree charm tutorial video

Here is another cute project by IHaveAStrawberry for creating miniature tree charms, using tooth brush as a texturing tool and liquid polymer clay + green acrylic paint as the "frosting" material on the charm. They do look like cookies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQHUkGkbrkE

Polymer clay wreath video by Deb

Deb is sharing her mini-wreath tutorial as a part of a bigger project. Her creations are so adorable!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HAcvVX6d_g


Don't forget to checkout my Brocade collection tutorial for creating polymer purses that can be easily transferred into a colorful illuminated tree ornament with a small led lamp inside it!
http://www.polypediaonline.com/133688/polypediaonline_brocade_hemisphere

Illuminated ball sized purses/ornaments - Lights on...

and...Lights off!

Have a cool (yet warm) weekend!

Merry Christmas!

To all my dear polymer clay friends,

From warm and sunny Israel, I am wishing you all a wonderful, warm holiday, with lot's of creative spirit in heart for the coming 2012!

and a moment before the holiday is at your door step, here is a cute tutorial, by Wendy Orlowski.

Something to play with on your holiday vacation :)

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season,

Have a great time!

Polymeri Online 12.12.11 | Crown pin, Gauged ears earrings, Embossed pendant tutorial, Fun memory game & Enchanted Garden giveaway

Getting ready for the holiday, here is a super cute polymer clay crown pin for a little princess by Daria. Daria is from Kyiv, Ukraine and designs stuff as far as she remembers, first clothes and accessories for her dolls, fabric flowers, drawing, beading and so much more! she graduated from Fine arts school but choose another way and has PhD in molecular biology. Now, as a stay at home mom, she finds the time to create jewelry, some with polymer clay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dariami/http://dariami.livejournal.com

These earrings by PeachTreats made me take a 2nd look. At first, I couldn't find how to insert them into the ear, then I realized, that she makes earrings for both gauged ears and for regular pierced ears. if you aren’t sure what she means by “gauged ears”—that is when the earring hole is stretched. They are all made of polymer clay!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PeachTreats

Elsita posted an interesting tutorial on using both paper and polymer to create an interesting pendant. She is tracing a drawing on paper, cutting and pressing the paper against the polymer to create an embossed design. Looks like a wonderful project!

http://elsita.typepad.com/elsita/2011/12/my-papercut-on-polymer-clay-tutorial.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9510030@N05

Here is a fun memory game project, originally not created with polymer clay but we can do the same with clay. Take identical coins (use the smallest exchange you have) and glue on it a pre-baked polymer clay design that matches in size and color or pattern - 2 of each. Now you have a wonderful memory game to play with the children!

http://scrumdillydo.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-fun-edible-memory-game.html

I was a "proud mom" this week! 2 of my students - Fimomaus and chiccolove made wonderful "Enchanted Garden" canes and even held a competition between them who's going to be first to create them all! They were sure fast like a pasta machine motor! :)

The "Enchanted Garden" special holiday sale is still on with few giveaway sets left!

You will get "Enchanted Garden originals" to your door as giveaway gifts!

Don't miss your ooak holiday souvenirs!

Polymer Clay "Catch 22" - The Artist's Paradox

There is an irony with us artists selling our work. We spend so much time trying to make a living from our wonderful art only to discover that we’ve become way too emotionally attached to our work and can’t let it go.

Sounds familiar?

Think about it.

When you sell a piece of your art, how to you feel? Do you feel great about the sale and ready to pay some bills? do you feel a little sad to see it go, but hey, that’s a part of being a professional polymer clay artist! or do you regret the second you let it go and find yourself hurrying back to your studio trying to recreate a copy of it for yourself?

These feelings of "sale remorse" - We condition, play, shape and design our clay and tend to get physically attached to our final piece, can't let it go.

Many artists are happy to sell, but at the same time, they would also wish they could save a copy of the work for themselves. If not for emotional reasons, it's to “check back on it as a reference for how I made a certain piece”.

Why am I telling you all this?

When I started my way with polymer clay, every fair I participated in - I had mixed feelings.

Glad because I sold and sad because I sold it!

Crazy - isn't it?

In time I learned that although my designs are very dear to me, it's like finding them a new home and letting my customers have a "small piece of me". That's a nice thought. They chose me.

Tomorrow is one of those days. I am saying goodbye to some of my own personal favorites.

As a part of studio re-organization, making room for new things, I am holding a special pre-holiday studio fair - the first in 2 years.

Some of my most favorite PolyPediaOnline tutorial products will be offered for public sale.

These items are very dear to me and always reminds me of the wonderful material we are working with.

If you're wondering about a certain project, want to see it in close, wear one of my jewels or a collector of polymer clay pieces - you are welcome aboard!

Some of the designs have Only 1 item AVAILABLE!

The special link to the sales page will be sent to all PolyPediaOnline members tomorrow during the day, that's more than 5000 artists getting an email from me with a link to the StudioFair page.

If you are interested and want to see one of my pieces in person, you are welcome to join!

The items will be published here in the blog only after PolyPediaOnline members will have the exclusivity to be the first to know and purchase.

Hope to see you in my "booth"! Come & say hello... :)

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!

Polymeri Online 19.5.10 - White

Today we are celebrating Shavuot in Israel, it's a happy holiday commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai, Shavuot is also connected to the season of the grain harvest in Israel and to this occasion we all dress in white which is a festive dressing to all holidays & let's not forget the dairy food we eat, this milky color is so eledant.

Today's PolymeriOnline post is all in white :)

White Polymer Clay Heart by Andrea, Jewellery Designer from the North West of England specialising in polymer clay. When she is not making jewellery she is a juggler of life, children and work.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-creations/3397969891/

White and Black Polymer Clay Woodgrain Pin or Brooch by Sarah (loveclay4), she is also sharing her technique - It is created out of polymer clay, baked, stained with acrylic paint and glazed. A metal backing is adhered with clay, created from a hand carved block print pressed in clay an original design.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/loveclay/3990862081/in/photostream/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveclay

White Polymer Clay Necklace and Earring Set by Teri Calbert, includes a textured pendant, textured rectangle clay beads and faceted green acrylic beads with matching earrings, she loves creating, whatever the medium.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcalbert1/3453002283/

Beautiful handmade grey and white polymer clay earrings by liwelula,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liwelula-designs/4313937116/in/photostream/

Antique Gold Flower Polymer Clay Earrings by Sylvia Windhurst, she enjoys creating one of a kind jewelry, exploring a variety of techniques, works primarily in beadweaving, and do some fiber art as well. This piece is discs of white polymer clay stamped with cute flowers and painted with an antique gold metallic acrylic paint.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36532320@N06/4505810324/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/windyriver

Last one is a cute Polymer Clay Earrings "West Highland White Terriers" by Amantecatl (photo), Moscow-based polymer clay artist. Apart from creating things, she also translates and works hard on her business.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amantecatl/3130089939/

Happy Hanukka!

More Hanukka's goodies!

Shay Aaron's yummy (no calories) "sufganiyot" - donuts - see photo :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron/3125620078/

Kathi's (dragonglass) slug menorah

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonsglass/3121131890/

Mira Krispil's Menorah
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirakris/1934795515/in/set-72157607205517679/

Barbara P-W Menorah
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdbear10/3125873331/in/photostream/

Hag Sameach!

Polymeri Online 27.11.08 & Hannukah post

Well, Hannukah is in 2 weeks, and the dreidel-mania in the Israeli polymer clay community is rising! here's some cool new dreidels - very easy to make!

Vered Trumer was the "match lighting the fire" with her new flower driedel, it's cute and simple to make!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vered-t/3048794940/

Naama's dreidels are shiny and colorful!
http://naamazamir.blogspot.com/2008/11/getting-ready-for-hanuka.html
and so does Sharon's!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharon_amir/3060958776/

A cool project (in hebrew, but follow the photos) of a Menorah
http://www.amosisrael.co.il/Site/he/pages/inPage.asp?catID=6&subID=37&sub2ID=44&sub3ID=341&docID=2875

And a nice wall decor for Hannukah by Keri Joy and her wall dancers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerijoy/3030744380/

and last, something for the Ego, my ego :) found a cool site which making a photo of yourself in all kind of styles... look what i chose, do you see his tattoo? MY face? i can keep dreaming ;) try yours - http://www.photofunia.com/

Polymeri Online 29.11.07 - Hanukkah

Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may fall anytime from late November to late December. It celebrates the re-kindling of the Temple menorah at the time of the Maccabee rebellion.

The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each night of the holiday and spinning a dreidel. Various menorot used for Hanukkah, also called Hanukiot.

The dreidel, or sevivon in Hebrew, is a four-sided spinning top that children play with on Hanukkah. Each side is imprinted with a Hebrew letter. These letters are an acronym for the Hebrew words "Nes Gadol Haya Sham"A great miracle happened there" (referring to the miracle of the oil that took place in the Beit Hamikdash).

Let's see some of my Israeli and non-Israeli friends making their Hanukiot and Dreidels -

Jackie's Menorah
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackiesdesigns/2063199606/

Train Menorah by squashie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86879058@N00/1907388652/

Dragon Menorah by DrMom (pc)http://www.flickr.com/photos/76063918@N00/1953460840/
Don't forget her Judaica Blog - great resource for jewish tradition

Marcia Menorah's
http://www.mars-design.co.il/HTMLs/article.aspx?C2004=889&BSP=867

Efi Warsh Menorah
http://www.flickr.com/photos/efiwarsh/2065092753/

How to make a polymer clay dreidel - Movie clip by Roni Gur
The movie is followed by hebrew wording but you can understand it just from watching :)

Millefiori Dreidel Cane by Sigal Simovich (follow the numbers on your right)
http://www.tapuz.co.il/tapuzforum/main/Viewmsg.asp?forum=1484&msgid=109557172
or the WORD version
http://img2.tapuz.co.il/forums/1_109568899.doc

Menorah's by Naama Zamir
http://www.naamaza.com/site/detail/departAlbum/albumPic.asp?depart_id=2431&category_id=14391

Have a great holiday!

Polymeri Online 27.11.06

Hannuka!!

Sculpey site Dreidel
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_DreidelEraserClay.htm

Lisa Pavelka Dreidel
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafting/article/0,1789,HGTV_3352_1528995,00.html

another Sculpey site Dreidel
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_DreidelArt.htm

Lisa Pavelka Menorah
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_Menorah.htm

Lisa Pavelka Menorah
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_occasions_december/article/0,1789,HGTV_3270_2404566,00.html
Dreidelshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/itucker/sets/72157594160152111/

Candle covered with clay
http://hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_occasions/article/0,,HGTV_3268_1393180,00.html

Sharon Amir Dreidel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharon_amir/sets/72157594164573133/

Roni Gur Dreidel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronigur/301246072/in/set-72157594370317586/

Roni Gur tutorial on making a Dreidel
http://www.tapuz.co.il/tapuzforum/main/Viewmsg.asp?forum=1484&msgid=89724974