Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Lets Learn Together ~ Polymer Clay!


So I have finally been bitten by the polymer clay bug! I had been thinking about it for a looooooong looong long long time, but did nothing but think.
Then, some time in late July, I saw a post by Unicorne Beads on Facebook about a bead show they were going to be at...and one of the venues listed was only an hour away from me.

I checked it out and decided to go. It was this show called Bead & Boutique Arts Show. It was a 3-day event, and I had decided to go on the Saturday. My knees have been giving me trouble lately, and on Friday night, I was wondering whether I should drive the 1 hour, then walk around all day and drive back. Saturday morning, I was still in two minds, but finally decided to go and not think about it anymore. I looked up what classes were being offered that day, and found a polymer clay one, by Eriko Page. Not someone I had heard of, but decided to sign up in any case. 

Eriko is an excellent teacher, with 15 years of PC experience. I could not find a website for her, but here's her page on FMG.

She taught us three styles of beads, flat disc bead, cylindrical and cabochon. Here is what I made:

The top blue bead is the teacher's sample, and the little flower is from one of her canes.

So.......now I am hooked, and am wondering who wants to learn more with me?

I am thinking of weekly"lessons", with the schedule something like this:


Week 1 - Gather all the required materials
Week 2 - Learn conditioning, basic canes, skinner blends etc
Week 3 - Basic bead shapes, baking, sanding
Week 4 -  Embellishing

And so on. I have yet to think about how this will exactly go, but am definitely doing it, and would love to have some friends join me in! I have been pinning tutorials and will be checking out books, etc. And posting things that I find interesting...

So who is in?

36 comments:

  1. This sounds like so much fun. Wish I had more time to join in but should be working on getting things ready for the craft shows I have coming up in Sept.

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    1. No worries, Dolores, you can join in whenever you feel like and have some time :)

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  2. I've bought clay thinking I was going to give it a go - but never got around to trying it. I would try to learn with you!!

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    1. Yayyy Sherri! Will be awesome to have you in the group :)

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  3. Yeah!!! I KNEW you would like it. These are beautiful~ Keep up the good work :-D

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    1. Lol, yeah :) Its all your fault, Tammie, lol :)

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  4. I am so glad you had fun at the show and so glad you went. Your beads are awesome. I don't think I can join in the challenge, but would love to see the progress of all the prticipants.

    I met Eriko at Bead and Button this year and ws blown away by her work. You couldn't have had a better teacher. :)

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    1. Yeah, I totally lucked out, I had no idea who she was, and signed up at an impulse. She was the sweetest woman ever. There were just two students, and we had so much fun!

      Hope this turns out fun for everyone, and hope to get some good feedback from the spectators :)

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  5. I think that would be great! I mess around with polymer but I make very simple things, or sculpted items such as faces for pendants... I do simple beads... I would love to get more in depth!

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    1. Hi Maire, glad you are joining us! Hope you can give advice in the beginning and then we can all learn together!

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  6. Well am a little beyond learning basics, but will be lurking in the background to give you help!

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    1. Oh darling, you will be the grand master, helping us newbies out :)

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  7. I would journey with you, Kashmira! Let me know when and where!! Gina Hockett

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    1. Great! I will put up the first post and the plan soon.
      Won't be doing sign-ups as such...just writing weekly posts with what I have learned that week and what's next.

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  8. Depending on when you start and what all is involved, I'd love to play along. I'm going to be gone for a week starting next week and am getting into my busy season, but I'll keep checking back to see what you do. Thanks. Love your beads. Hope your knees get better.

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    1. Umm...I am not doing sign-ups or anything. Just a series of posts with a schedule of what's next and how to do it, so that folks who want to join can join in anytime. So hoping to see you in the group too when you get a breather :)

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  9. I am in! I have conditioned polymer clay, put it in a mold after decorating, and baked it. I need to learn how to make canes and experiment!

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    1. Great!!! I just got some books from the library and they all seem to have great lessons for marbling, skinner blends, canes. This should be fun!

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  10. I used to work with polymer a little bit, there is just not enough time! Sounds like fun, hope you get a bunch to do it with you!

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    1. Yeah! I hope so too...so much more fun with company :)

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  11. I'm in. I've been slowly purchasing supplies & need to start using them!

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    1. Sweeet!!! I have put up a schedule...which on hindsight looks too aggressive :) Lol :) Will revise it soon!

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  14. This sounds like the kick in the butt I need! What about asking Kashambi Shah? I think she is getting into polymer clay, too.

    Terri Greenawalt

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    1. Yayy! Glad you can join in! Will send a link to this post to Kaushambi too :)

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  15. Hey Kashmira! I left a comment but looks like it didn't go through. Just wanted to say this is a great idea and even if I can't join in, I'll be watching and learning from the sidelines! :-)

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    1. Thanks Cindy! Even watching will be helpful to both you and me! I bet you will have questions and suggestions about what you will see :)

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  16. I like the way you think. I've got so much on my plate right now that I won't be joining in. . .besides, the poly clay bug bit me a few years back. I have all the supplies and whatnot, but only really ever pull the stuff out when the nieces are around. I am looking forward to seeing/hearing what y'all will be up to in this project. You might get to me to pull all my stuff out after all, but I'm going to sit this one out for the time being. Best of luck!!

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    1. Thanks Hope! Would be great to have you follow along and give your suggestions/comments :)

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  17. Cool! I am all about learning more about this medium. I will follow along! Enjoy the day. Erin

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    1. Yipppeeee!! I know you are a bit advanced in this already, so will be great to have you watch over us!

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  18. The pieces you made are so pretty - just amazing. I am not sure I am ready for all of this, but would really like to learn Polymer Clay. I will watch and learn and join if/when I can (work/family permitting, etc.). You're such an inspiration - not sure if you really know that or not,.... :-)

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  19. The pieces you made are so pretty - just amazing. I am not sure I am ready for all of this, but would really like to learn Polymer Clay. I will watch and learn and join if/when I can (work/family permitting, etc.). You're such an inspiration - not sure if you really know that or not,.... :-)

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  20. You have sufficiently twisted my arm enough. I'm in. I still have to gather supplies but I have some clay I just might like to do something with one of these days so it might as well me now.

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