Faux Agate

Agate is a hard stone,within the range of 7-9 on the Mohs scale. Agates are found in all colors of the
rainbow.  Agate is a type of chalcedony.  It's formed from layers of quartz. That is how it has varicolored bands.  It occurs usually as veins or nodules. There are a variety of unusual banded and scenic markings.
Tiny quartz crystals from within the stone thus adding to the beauty of the stone. These crystals are called drusy.  Thes drusys are often cut from the agate as used as cabochons or a stone itself.
There are a variety of agates; moss agate, plume agate, eye agate, lacy agate, banded agate, brecciated agate, botswana agate, fire agate, crazy lace agate, moss agate, rainbow aggate, picture agate,tree agate and many more. Agate is found all over the world; Asia, Africa, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Nepal, Mexico and USA.

Polymer clay is so versatile and has the ability to be made to look like real stones too.  These are faux agates made from polymer clay faux agate beads I have yet to use them in a design.  I think i will be using some copper findings; it will highlight the stone.

To read more about agates http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agate

Some beautiful pictures of agates http://www.agatenodule.com/index.htm

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Faux Dichroic

I made this pendant with the faux dichroic glass technique.  It was so much fun.  I have done actual fused dichroic glass and it's beautiful but with this I could eliminate cutting glass, grinding it and using the hot kiln! Polymer clay is so amazing!!! I used a stamp for the design and Judikins fluxe enameling resin. I think I would have got a more domed effect using Ultra dome. I used a cord and made it an adjustable necklace. If you'd like to learn about this technique check it out here faux dichroic glass

 

Blue morpho butterfly cane pendant

Just got back from NY.  We had a really fabulous trip.  This pendant was made with some left over cane from the blue morpho butterfly cane tutorial. Here's the link to the tutorial for you to check out. blue morpho butterfly cane

I think I should have gone a bit longer with the skinner blend , got it a bit more blended. quick tear drop skinner blend

However, I quite like how it turned out.  The pearly blues and green has quite a pretty lustre.  I baked sanded and buffed it and then used Judikin's Fluxe Enameling Resin. It's in powder form and easy to use but can be a bit messy.  I only have a small bottle of Ultra Dome Resin so I used the Judikins resin

Art Pendant

This pendant is actually made from left over clay.  I had some black clay and wanted to try out the face push molds. I had some left over bits of the colored textured clay that I used for a pendant which is at the moment in a competition.  I cut the left overs in a kind of tapered shape and curled it around the face. All the joinings are visible and I couldn't smmoth it over because it would take away the design so I used a tool to push in circles along the seams and I liked the effect; kind of decorative.  I sanded it a bit and buffed and varnished it. They don't have these face molds anymore, I heard the company has discontinued some of the face molds; they had some nice ones.

 

Blend and Switch technique

This is the latest technique I've tried.  I made two long oval shapes for earrings and I really liked the shape Cindy showed us so I tried a pair of earrings with that shape too and a pendant.  It's just baked and not sanded or finished in any way.  I quite enjoyed doing it .  I loved the rainbow blend and this time I got the skinner blend right! The bold shimmery colors and huge shapes remind me of the 60's,with its bright and neon colors and go-go flowers. I'm going to wait till I receive my micro mesh pads to sand; my arms are too sore and since I'm doing physio, I don't want to aggravate it. In the meantime if you'd like to take a sneak peek at this technique video check this out blend and switch technique

polymer clay

I finally got down to some claying today. Finished with theory lessons and exams.  Practicals still to go this week then I'm done for the summer.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing two weeks, NY and some more claying.  I did a huge Natasha bead and a pendant and matching earrings using the new technique we learned this week 'Blend and Switch'.  Check out this technique at blend and switch technique
 I still have to sand it but I'm waiting for my micromesh pads to arrive.

Beaded jewels

I've finally done it! Yay!!!  Thank you Brenda for spending so much time trying to help me sort it out.  My link to the 'Beaded Jewels' page is on the right of my Polymer blog page. Do check it out.

I haven't written for a couple of days.  Have been teaching - music exams. Theory exams today and tomorrow and practicals next week.
I've also been working on adding another page; I've kind of set it up but I think I've not got it quite right.  Trying all sorts of ways and I'm so frustrated!

Shocking Pink! - sold

Shocking Pink!  This necklace was made using the faux smooth raku beads and the faux deep crackle effect beads.  I thought it would be nice to combine them and I added the deep pink glass cubed shaped beads to set off the color in the tube beads.  The crackle tube beads have pale pinks. shocking pinks, and mauves and blues.  I decided to give this necklace a chunky look.  I used black steel wire and did messy wrap loops. i really love how the colors look together. To check out this technique of wire wrapping http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-tutorial-jewelry-wire-wraps-loops-links-video/6861/

Faux Raku technique beads

The 'Raku' technique has its origins in Japan.  The word 'Raku' meands 'enjoyment' or 'pleasure'. Raku pottery ware was produced expressively for the elablorate Japanes tea ceremony.  The clay is first shaped and then fired in a kiln for a longer time at a higher temperature. The first firing is called a 'bisque firing'.  It is then glazed and fired a second time at a lower temperature.  It develops a porous look.  The special low fire glaze gives it thos brilliant colors so special to Raku. Raku is a process of taking the pottery while still glowing, red hot and placing them in combustible materials like dried leafs, wood, sawdust, etc.  A carbonization process or reduction process begins when the red hot pot ignites the combustible material. It is then covered so a really smoky atmosphere is created.  Any unglazed part of the pot absorbs the smoke and turns black.  Due to the extreme temperature change, a cooling down occurs causing 'crazing' or 'cracking' on the glazed surfaces of the pot.  Because of the intense heat, the pot is covered with soot. The next step is cleaning. The pot has to be thoroughly scrubbed.  the result is a stunning, beautiful work of art which has an earthy, rustic quality.  Raku is used today not only in making pottery - bowls, plates, decorative art pieces, vases but has found its way into jewelry as beautiful, brilliant beads and pendants.
Polymer clay with its extreme versatility can be made to look like glass, porcelain, bone, ivory, wood, leather, semi precious stones and with different techniques various textures and effects can be obtained.
The first photo are beads made with the faux smooth raku technique.  I used polymer clay and alcohol inks and mica powders on textured beads. To see this video go to http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-tutorial-faux-raku-pt1-smooth-surface-techniqe/4694/
The second photo are some tube beads made with the faux deep crackle raku techniquehttp://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-tutorial-faux-raku-pt2-deep-crackle-technique/4788/

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closeups of the faux bone beads

Closeup pictures of the faux bone beads taught by Cindy Lietz faux bone technique


The first photo are the spacer beads, the second picture is of the drum beads and the last one are pipe beads.

Faux bone beads

Some faux bone beads I made following Cindy Lietz's tutorial on faux bone technique. The long beads are pipe beads and the larger round ones are drum beads. I used the drum beads in a necklace I designed for a competition. The little ones are spacer beads. The beads are sanded really well and then antiqued to give it that really aged , antique look and they feel warm and satiny smooth to the touch. If you would like to learn this technique visit
http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-tutorial-faux-bone-faux-ivory-technique-video/7197/

Keepsake flower petal bead earrings

Another pair of earrings with round shaped beads made for the teacher too.

flower petal inclusion earrings

I made these earrings for my daughter to match the pendant. I used copper findings and a burgundy colored pearl to set off the colors in the beads. The beads are hand rolled as I wanted it to have a really natural look.

Flower Petal Inclusion Pendant

This pendant was made with polymer clay and dried rose petals from the bouquet of yellow/orange roses my daughter Stephanie received from her teacher. The copper swirl and coil add a flowing line to the pendant and sets of the colors.
To see this technique taught by Cindy Lietz, polymer clay artist and tutor go to http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/flower-petal-bead-keepsake-jewelry/81/