Farewell & Happy Claying

Good evening fellow clayers. I hope this note finds you well, having fun gearing up for the holidays.

In the last few days I've received almost 100 messages, all from the same 9 people... with loving messages regarding my burning in hell, 1 wants to burn my home down with me & my family in it... & of course... everyone can't wait to invest their hard earned money to sue the old gal that has neither a pot to tinkle in or a window to throw it out of. I believe they are slightly upset... just a guess  :-)

This site was always my playground, a way to stay organized as a student. I hope it was a blessing to the handful that have joined me. We've come a long way as artists in the 3 years since we began here, it's been an awesome adventure.

I have bought a domain with unlimited storage & am in the process of downloading this blog. I am moving it on Friday & it will be my personal cloud storage space. This lil playground will be no more, so IF there is any info here that you personally will miss, be sure to grab a copy while the getting is good.

I wish you all the very best & joy filled holidays.
As always... Happy Claying  <3 

A Teacher, A Student, an EXPERT & Copyright Laws

    As I sit with an upset tummy, a heavy heart & totally mixed emotions on this topic, I come to you with a dilemma. Giggles, funniest thing is that only a handful visit this site, so I may be babbling thoughts that are lost in outer space without ever reaching a human ear. All the same, this my feeble attempt to address THE most 'touchy' subject within the Polymer Clay community... Legal 'Copyright Laws' & questions of 'moral & ethical' behavior. A Huge conversation because... what is LEGAL & what is ethical is 2 very different things.

Perhaps we should roll back a bit? Here is a comment on my site...

What, if anything, do I personally say about ArchiDee? 

Here's a link to her Page on my site... inc EVERY way to see her on the web:

 http://clayplayliz.blogspot.com/2015/10/genuine-genius-of-all-techniques-master.html

Under several paragraphs applauding her talent, you will see..
She does in person seminars teaching her Very Intriguing Techniques that will astound you. Make certain you grab a front row seat if the opportunity presents itself & be sure to check out ALL her links below.
 
Be sure to 'LIKE' & subscribe to her YouTube Channel...
https://www.youtube.com/user/archideedidiana/

 
and you can see reviews & clay related info at Archidee Plushttps://www.youtube.com/user/dianaarchidee

     

 

Awesome LOW prices on tutorials & handmade items in her shop

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

 
Review the entire page, & then hit a link to 1 of her tutorials I had posted here... http://clayplayliz.blogspot.com/2015/10/rombo-soutache-project-archidee-arte-e.html

You will note, The title is the same as on her YouTube site & her name is listed as the author.
There is Also a hot link right below the video to her 'Master Artist' page. 
I have advertised for HER & promoted HER.And, of course... a bit over a year ago she was thanking me.

So, fast forward to the other day & what was I shown?1st, a rant by ArchiDee that I have stolen her work & put my name on it, of course I didn't. That was followed immediately by this...

Seriously ??? Seriously??? OMGosh, some people will say anything, & how quickly everyone jumped onboard. Money from YouTube traffic... really???
Let's see a you tube post.

First, notice - NONE of my posts EVER had a name or title... every 1 had a numerical name, Period!

#2 - I have NEVER put a TAG on a post - EVER! That means absolutely noone sees my posts - EVER! They were there for 1 reason... to have a place online that inc a container (video player) so I can link to them. Why? Very simple - if I went to YouTube & typed in Red Polymer Fimo Flower to reference a video viewed at another time... good luck finding it again.

8/2010 Stat 
YouTube, a popular video streaming site, now streams more than three billion videos per day 

So, I know exactly where the post is, let's take a peak at what ANYONE who went to that page would see. Because I don't / won't use tags... as you can see - playlist at right is all but empty. The video is about a 'jewelry wiring technique' & look at the right... 1 polymer video (probably because it's someone I follow), a 'molding' video (because I follow them) & random silliness that probably all have a number within their tags.

There are content settings that I'm sure can be set to link to accounts or sites that generate money, but it has NOTHING to do with me. Look closely here at my site... NO Advertising - none, nada, zilch... Zero. 
I'm not generating 1 penny, for myself or anyone else. 

The internet is a glut of information... more than I can begin to keep track of. There are sites out there who trample on artists in such blatant fashion, it's frightening! I DON'T fall into that category. I can say with ABSOLUTE certainty that Pinterest has posts which are of tutorials I have paid for, hence I know at some point someone got their mitts on that tut, posted it and then shared their socks off. Although I've purchased literally 100's of tutorials over the years... I've never reposted 1. NOT because of the LAW, but because of a sense of 'Moral Obligation'.

 I'm so sick of the Fanatics bandwagon. Instead of ranting about how I should 'smoke a turd in hell'... YOU should be utilizing my truest talents - as a teacher. Have I published books on the Polymer topics, Nope. Do I travel the world teaching courses? Nope. But, I DO have what many of you are lacking... the key that takes an artist to the next level... Marketing skills & PVA knowledge. 

PVA Knowledge, Really? Marketing knowledge, Really? Take a close, really close peak.   

                                                             

Click the 'WINDOWS' tab at the top of the home page for a lot of my windows or
CLICK Here

                      

Would you like to take 3 guesses at what these windows are made of ? If you guessed Stained Glass, you missed it by a mile. It's custom tinted PVA applied to a glass surface. 1001% PVA. I know a LOT about PVA, & it changes WHAT can be done with our clay. Im now seriously considering NOT telling you about some cool things I was going to share. Liquid metal that air dries that is 100% PVA - thats what I created my lead lines from. The 'fill'.. you'ld faint IF you knew how I did that, & you could too. Hahaa, I saved my secrets for my kids, to pass them my family biz... they aren't artists & have found their own niches, so I was going to pass some of it to you guys. Hmmm, after such sweetness, how can I be rethinking that, huh?

And what of marketing? As far as I can see, the reason so many are so nervous is that they feel threatened. More artists mean less opportunity for them? Perhaps artists that 'have arrived' see all the fresh newer talent as a threat? When you combine talent with a niche' is when you have true success. Yes, I found a cool niche to put my knowledge of PVA to good use... but I also had truly ingenious marketing... or I would never have gone beyond having some really nice windows in my own home.

Last question...  while some are having a stroke over me posting some of there website material here... (yes, just reposting) what of true copyright laws. Everyone does Stroppel Canes... did every one of you get permission from Alice Stroppel before you did a Stroppel cane? We could go on & on going down that bunny trail. Of EVERY tut I've seen, perhaps 6 were genuinely original... the rest was revamping the same ol' thang. Does that mean they aren't of value? Of course not... but true copyright protection regards 'Unique Technique'. 

Copyright in art? Of course, I had to explore that closely, I actually had money to loose back in those days. Lets look at a few other windows. Do these 'artworks' look familiar at all?  Thomas Kinkade didn't invite me to burn in eternal flames. HaHaaaa, maybe perhaps because he doesn't work in polymer?!

I guess I'm a small person because I can't get beyond a hardy 'raspberry' for each of you that see fit to sharpen their teeth on me, and I prefer to bow a knee of thanx & gratitude to a TRUE artist, 1 that is pure at heart & understands the reality of art. I'm going to print her words in full  (I Don't tamper with perfection):

Diana Dailey

12 December at 04:19

Had a question on my message board this morning. This is not the first time in my life I have been ask this.
Why do I share my knowledge so readily?
Aren't I afraid of someone profiting from me or my work?
Aren't I afraid of someone copying me?
They all phrase it a little different but still the same question.
When I went to art shows I was ask wasn't I afraid of others taking my customers?
My answer is...
The universe has enough for everyone, to get you must give.
I know nothing that in some way I haven't learned from others.
Our main job should be to help others no matter how small that help may be.
There is nothing I can teach or share with others that they can't learn from someone else.
You can't steel my customers because I don't own them, if they buy from you it doesn't mean that if not for you they would have bought from me.
The universe will give me what I deserve.
I am in competition with no one except myself, to be better today than yesterday.
You can't copy my work any more than you can copy my signature.
If your works looks like mine and you learned from me then I did a good job teaching what little I know.
If you take my idea and profit from it then I am glad for you, after all I learned it from someone else in some way.
The only thing that really matters in this life is kindnesses.

What a beautiful, eloquent & generous soul Diana has.

Diana, if you see this post, please know...

When I grow up I want to be just like you!

In closing... I Won't quit posting , because I won't quit growing & learning. You may smile at this irony, this site has been here for years & had only a hand full of followers, because I don't promote it... it's for Me. But since all the buzz, ugly as it has been, the site following has increased 25%. I imagine if you chew on me for another month or 2, it will be 'standing room only' for many more students. 

For those content to be students & Not sharpening your teeth on me...

Happy Claying!

Mandalas, Etch N Pearl Magic & Syndee Holt - Secret Tools Series: Pt 6

Who doesn't love the magic of a Mandala?

Although we all have our favorite tools & techniques, one of the tools at the Top of my favorites list is the Etch N Pearl 3 piece set brought to us by Sculpey products. They are so versatile & can create the look of Master Art pieces even by novice polymer clay artists. So, what are some of the easy Awesome ways we can play with these lovely ditties? Let's take a closer peak.

Place a center-piece pearl to finish your design

Fill a created space with different sized pearls for a cool dimensional look

Add circles & lines for surface design - quick & easy

Use the smooth sides to clean up rough edges

Create wonderful unique frames for your cabochons

Set includes 3 different sized hole makers 

Easily create home-made texture sheets

Create fun pearl dangles & the holes they peak out from

Turn a simple skinner blend into beautiful jewelry & scarf pins

Create Steampunk, Sea Urchins & Tentacles 

Use the needle tool ends for petite filigree surface work 

Perfect tool for adding findings

Create Polka Dot sheets + Ornate Endcaps

Detailed surface carving decoration

How EASY is it to master these 3 marvels? Here are some great tips & tricks from 

Master Artist Syndee Holt that will have you creating like a pro in no time!

10 Tricks for Etch-N-Pearls

1: Use the widest setting on your Clay Conditioning Machine to make a nice fat pearl.

2: Make your pearls on a smooth ceramic tile so that the pearls will stick to the tile and not in the tool. Then just peel up the remaining sheet of clay to expose your pearls.

3:  Dip the Etch n’ Pearl in water every couple of pearls – again so that they stick to the tile and not the tool. A small bottle cap works great.

Etch n’ Pearls are a great way to add color accents, create frames, cover seams.  They are also easy to get carried away with, like I did with the cutter bracelets.

4:  An empty clay wrapper with a little Sculpey Bake n’ Bond in it, a toothpick and you can securely attach your pearls  (** Note from Liz in Vegas,,, get out your white glue  :-)

5: Use the pokey end of the tool to not only press a hole in the pearl for more texture, but to help secure it to the clay surface below. See how it changes the whole look of the pearl?

6:  Try using other tools to create a texture.  For instance the rubber chisel end of the medium ball tool in the Sculpey Essential Tool Kit or the Style and Details kit makes a great phillips head screw look.  These are great for covering seams in clay like on these faux leather bracelets.
7: The pokey end of the tool makes a great scrap cleaner around the edge of the pearl.

8: Make the large pearl, use the medium ball tool to make a dent in it and add a small pearl of a different color to make a elegant decoration.

9:  Use the pearls to create a bezel for a cabochon. 

10:  Use thinner layers of clay to create polka dots that can be used alone or layered.  I prefer to make the thinner layers on paper so that the clay sticks in the tool until I lightly press it into place.  If the clay sticks to the paper, put the tool back over it and swipe the tool towards you to scoop up the polka dot.

BONUS:  The sheet of clay with the polka dots can be run through the clay conditioning machine to make ovals too! Here are some great examples of how you can use the Etch n’ Pearl tool in my recent creative map

 

Some other great links to Sculpey projects using Etch n’ Pearls include Amy Koranek’s bracelet where she used the pearls to hold the hardware         

http://www.sculpey.com/project/sculpey-souffle-spumoni-swirl-bracelet/

Final Syndee Holt Photo:

Mandala Landscapes - Easy No Fail Perfection

What is it about Mandalas that seems to call to so many of us? The flow of perfect symmetry? The way the colors intertwine, so different & yet perfectly fitted like notes that compose that tune that touches us deep within? Maybe it's that they follow All the rules... & yet seem to break the rules at the same time? 

Maybe it's as simple as... they are just so freakin cool?

I LOVE Mandala Landscape art the same way I Love Natasha's, & adore doing them both for the same reason. Very simply, you really can't screw them up. Once you have a palette that works, the landscapes write themselves! Over the next week or 2 (best laid optimistic plans) I will begin posting my books - TONS of books. They will include boodles of Mandalas, Landscapes & Zentangle art. I'll be sharing the step by steps on how I create the different landscapes. Meanwhile, you can add a set of Etch N Pearl tools to your repertory for under $15.00 & begin having fun mastering the little dynamos.

For today, be well & Happy Claying!

    

Save a Bundle on Clay - Secret Tools Series: Pt 5

I Adore Polymer Clay.What a fantastic versatile medium. IF we can dream it, polymer clay can make it reality! But, it sure can be a costly. I'm always looking for ways to increase my skill & productivity while cutting costs.

So, How do I Save a Bundle creating Masterpieces? 

Here's my Secret Weapon #5

Card

I use Premo as my clay of choice for all my caning & primary color work & translucents, but Sculpey Original is THE weapon you must keep on hand (& in large supply)! It is essential because ...

# 1 - It costs a fraction of what the other higher quality clays cost

Higher quality should of course, be defined. Original Sculpey is extremely strong when compared to Premo, very similar. But, because it is a softer clay it is Horrid (useless) for caning. But because Sculpey White (Original Sculpey) IS very strong & can be yours for under $4.00 a pound (depending on the quantity you purchase) it should be explored. It has a LOT of uses beyond caning & for many techniques is a much better clay.  

# 2 - It is essential to create the type of landscape works you see above

The 'Landscape Techniques' you see above are so easy to do & so beautiful completed... & they can't be done without Sculpey Original. This is true for several reasons. Landscape pieces are created by putting a medium thick layer of Softer quality clay & then placing your 'cutouts' on top of that. Soft is essential so your top artwork layer adheres firmly without any distortion. And, if you do large pieces as I do, or you can only play in your clay for short periods of time, you are going to need a clay that doesn't have to be reworked after the initial condition & rolling. You can do a bit here & there without starting over every time you return.

# 3 - It can be used for bead cores & other areas you would use 'mud'

I think many of us have assumed that our wasted clay, those horrible color blends - & even worse, MUD, serves no purpose other than bead cores or a pendant back that won't be seen. We've all mixed that ugly 'muddy brown' or bland gray that seems to have no other use. Now you can put that 'inexpensive clay' where you may have used your mud before & I'll be showing you truly wonderful & easy techniques to show off that mud in it's best light! Did you know mud could be this beautiful?

Click HERE for PDF of All the Slideshow Photos Above

# 4 - It makes petite filigree, embroidery & other surface techniques a breeze

Having a 'soft clay' base to build your surface techniques on makes strong & secure adhesion easy without investing extra money in liquid clay additives. It colors easily with chalks, paints & other colorants when you need a deeper colored base. And, I mix it with Premo quite often for petite surface work when I need a clay that's a bit more pliable & easier to work.

# 5 - Place your thin canes on sheet of Sculpey Original to make canes go farther.

Placing our cane slices solely on top of sheets of our higher priced clay can really add up price wise & most of the time is unnecessary. Of course, there will be times that it makes more sense to build your sheets on the 'firmer' clays, but you will find many times a Sculpey Original White base is just as good at a fraction of the cost. And it is soft enough, you can add, for example, a pretty good amount of chalk as a colorant & still have a fairly pliable base. 

#6 - IF you work in larger piece work... Sculpey Original is a must!

I do larger piece work, & the process is simple, quick & affordable if you follow this simple procedure...Coat your piece with your white glue as a base to work off of. Cover you entire work surface with an even thickness coat of Sculpey Original, either white OR after tinting. Then cover with your sheets, canes, etc. IF you have an 'add' that is very fragile & you don't want to risk 'altering' or damaging it - simply place another coat of white glue between the layers. 

I'm going to be posting just a few more articles on this 'Must Have Tools Series' & then will be starting a section on 'Unique Techniques' like the Landscapes shown above where I'll walk you step by step through the entire process. I wanted to finish with tools 1st so I don't have to stop in the middle of a technique to explain the logic of steps like this. Granted, many clayers are blessed to be sitting pretty on a nice nest of bucks... they can enjoy the luxury of claying without a 2nd thought to the 'investment' side of our passion. But, for those like myself that have to make the hard choices, say... buy clay or pay all those pesky bills - there ARE ways to cut corners without sacrificing the quality of our work.  This 1 is a Win Win!

On a Final Note

Many artists ask about the 'best' places to buy their clays & materials. I can only speak for myself & my location. Also bare in mind, quantity will greatly affect your prices. As with just about everything you buy, the more you buy the cheaper it is. I built my initial stock up & now only buy in bulk. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States, but buy predominantly online for the savings.

1: MunroCrafts.com   

• Orders $50.00 to $100.00 discount is 25% off retail prices
• Order over $100.00 discount is 40% off retail prices
• Order over $200.00 discount is 50% off retail prices.

$200.00 is a lot, but you are actually Only spending $100.00 + shipping. Plus they sell ALL accessories you may need, so it adds up quick. They do quick shipping & their clays are fresh. Make certain the items you are purchasing are qualifying purchases.

2: PolymerClaySuperstore.com  

They run fantastic sales, including small quantities of clay & accessories. They also offer 'flat rate' shipping deals so whether you are buying a little or a lot, you'll get a great deal on shipping. They also offer a few products MunroCrafts doesn't carry. For example, they carry a 3.75 lb of Original Sculpey White, that may be perfect for your needs. As an awesome extra perk, they have a 'Rewards' program, so Every purchase, even sale priced items earn credits for FREE certificates. 

Accumulate Rewards Points and use them to earn Gift Certificates to be used on anything in the store!

• -- First create an account by clicking the My Account link at the top of the page.
• -- Then make purchases to accumulate points, one point for each dollar you spend.
• -- When you log into your account, scroll down to the Rewards section and click "Redeem."
• -- You'll be able to redeem 250 points for a $10 Gift Certificate, 500 points for a $25 Gift Certificate, or 1000 points for a $50 Gift Certificate. 

I click the items desired to put in my 'shopping cart', but Don't hit pay... instead I finalize by phone. IF you complete order online, be Certain to type 'Flat Rate' Shipping' in the comments box.

3: Michael's Hobby & Craft Store 
I guess they offer mail order, but I've never used that. They offer a coupon online that you can print any time for 40% off 1 item, so if you are making a larger purchase single item... that's great savings. They also have several sales a year where they offer 2 oz clays for .99 cents. That's $8.00 for a pound of clay - sweet! I try to keep a little 'Michaels nest egg' set back for just these occasions.

I did try EBay & Amazon for clay purchases in the past. I found that neither was an 'earth moving' great deal & both times the clay were old & very hard. Beware IF you decide to go that route.

Time to trot here.
Happy Claying... and Saving!

EZ Clay Conditioning, Finally - Secret Tools Series: Pt 4

What a cute opening photo, & I Promise he actually plays a role in my latest clay conditioning discovery. But, before I give you the 3 ULTIMATE clay conditioning tricks, let's take a quick peak at what you DON'T have to do ever again, shall we?

DON'T sit on your clay - Life's to short

DON'T stick your clay in your bra or pants waistline

DON'T add mineral oil to your clay in the name of conditioning

DON'T walk on the packages OR hit unopened packages with a mallet

(Although the mallet is still Awesome for OLD age hardened clay)

Definitely NEVER EVER put in a food processor that you'll spend hours cleaning

Those are at least a few of the silly, time consuming tricks I tried in those early years. We clayers have come a long way - WooHoo!  In this article I will give you the 3 EZ conditioning tools, based on cost. 

Tool #1 = FREE

An astounding price & a tool you already have - your pasta / clay machine. Simply cut your clay into strips & feed those strips into your clay / pasta machine. It will be workable in a few passes. Start on your thickest setting & decrease it as it begins to relax by 1 click. I have a Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine which I understand has sturdier construction than many of the machines designed specifically for 'Clay'. I cut my bars into sections approximately 1/4" thick. Now, it's the only type of clay machine I've used so you should definitely try thinner slices until you know what your polymer clay machine is comfortable with, ok? 

Tool #2 = Very Inexpensive ($10 - $25)

I had my heat gun out sealing a baked piece with UTEE embossing powder & just for giggles, hit some nearby unconditioned clay for a few seconds. Hence, tool #2 was born! You can use your blade to cut a 2 oz bar in half, & then cut a 't' into each half - creating 8 separate pieces. 

  

Give the pile a little 'bump' to knock them away from each other & open the spaces between them & then hit them with your Heat Gun for 6-8 seconds, easy cheesy done. You will be ready to work comfortably by hand in no time flat! I leave my heat gun standing on end out of a mason jar to keep it handy because the little wire stand isn't sturdy. IF you don't have a 'heat gun', they really are inexpensive & most will last for years. Extra added perk - embossing on polymer clay Rocks! Here is the 1 I always used...

Darice Embossing Multi-Purpose Heat Tool - $11.43 + FREE Shipping

Behold, tragedy ensues & I must devise a New Way
Tragedy, in this case, refers to Mickey...
AKA "the Terrorist'

How I can adore something so rotten defies logic, but I do! So... when his terrorist activities hinder my clay play time, I adjust. In this particular case, he developed a strange passion for chewing through my heat gun wires. I haven't got the slightest idea what that's about, but after he ate through my 5th heat gun in a matter of  2 months - it was time to try a new thing. I didn't want my sweet innocent baby fried (yes - I live in a world of denial  :-)  & I was sick of buying heat guns, So, I treated myself to...

Tool #3 - Never Knead

What an awesome dandy tool this beauty is! I'm a bit slow to invest in the slightly higher priced tools (ok, we can say it, I'm Cheap!) My NeverKnead is the BEST clay investment I've ever made, what an awesome tool... & also a toy because it has made conditioning my clay fun. I do 6 pound canes & slabs & simply conditioning my clay was an all day chore before. Now I breeze right through it.

Deb, the creator of NeverKnead, also provided me with a gorgeous 'Lime Green' NeverKnead that is cheery & bright & color coordinates with my workspace perfectly!

   

IF your Budget allows, you'll NEVER be sorry for buying a NeverKnead... 

they are Awesome!!!

We don't know what tomorrow holds, but at the time of this writing, IF you are at

NeverKnead.com 

& spend a bit of time looking around, 

there will be a pop-up offering a 20% discount - WOW!!!

I suggest you act quickly, that's an Amazing deal!

With that said, I'm off & running.

Hugs & Happy Claying from Liz & Micky in Las Vegas