I began work on the Enchanted Challenge well over two years ago. Like many crafters, I purchased the book Enchanted Adornments more for the inspiration of beautiful projects that I did to actually duplicate the projects. I found that the techniques discussed took a...
I finished the next pendant in the Enchanted Challenge. I followed the instructions as if they were guidelines. The metal clay portion of this – the bail and frame were built ahead of time. Instead of excising designs into the polymer clay I used a stamp to press in...
I began prepping for this project a while back. In March I made a bunch of polymer clay molds for some of the upcoming projects. This was one of them. I did something kind of stupid, I used “whatever” as the circle bases when I created the original. So when it came...
This is the second part of a two-part original from The Pithy Art Blog post back in 2013. Part one: My Clay Is Too Hard can be read here Last month I explored options for what to do with stale dried up clay. This week I am looking at how to deal with the opposite...
This post was originally posted as part one of a two-part conditioning your clay post from the original Pithy Art Blog back in 2013. Well it happens, polymer clay gets old and goes stale. When this happens it TAKES FOREVER to condition it, and frankly, there are time...
I am doing some prep work so that I can move forward with the Enchanted Challenge. Its time to break out the metal clay, but before that happens, I need to know what I’m doing, and that means some advanced prep work. I went through the metal clay projects and found...
Tutorial originally posted in February of 2013 I used to make my kids special little things to Valentine’s Day. They got lost or broken, and as they got older their tastes changed, and that’s okay. A few years ago tiny robots seemed to be their thing, so I made these...
Throw-back Thursday. This post originally appeared on the first Pithy Art Blog back in 2008. For anyone new to polymer clay, this is still pertinent information. Griege Or, what is that color anyway? It’s more grey than brown, and more brown than grey. It may lean a...
This hollow formed heart with encased resin treasures took multiple steps. The projects are more complex now, so you have to plan ahead. You can’t get them done in one sitting. And since resin and I are having relationship issues, I really need to work ahead on the...
Now this piece was a challenge. The technique is easy enough: inscribe design into clay, bake, back-fill, and polish. But I don’t have the power tools that most polymer clay artists have who do polish. (You see I typically do sculptural work, so I don’t have to...
This month’s challenge piece is a magical Ojime Owl. Ojime beads originated in Japan as a carved detailed bead to accompany Netsuke carvings so that the small items could be hung from the belts of a Kimono. The accompanying journal entry in the book talks about hills...
This originally appeared on my old Pithy Art Blog in August of 2014. I felt thematic, as I will be sharing the owl project from Enchanted Ornaments later in the month. This makes a cute little easy owl. You need: Clay: 3 colors for the body, white and black or blue...
Antonia’s Pendant I'm still sticking with the polymer clay projects the first few months. Simply because I have them done, and I am still working on some of the more complex pieces. To be honest I have already started the process on some of the more intensive pieces....
The Studded Stone Bracelet from Enchanted Adornments so far has been one of the easier projects. While it is a fantastic bracelet, it’s hard for me to wear on a daily basis or at work, I work at a computer. BUT I do love big charm filled bracelets. And while it looks...
Did you know that you should throw away your make-up every three to six months depending on how gooey it is and if it goes on or near your eyes? By gooey I mean liquid, creamy type make-ups. I’ve known this for years, but I can honestly say I never really did it. I...