Tag: polymer

AJE Component of the Month – Rebekah Payne

This month, it was Rebekah’s turn (Tree Wings Studio) to provide the Component of the Month!  I was excited about this because I almost immediately knew what I wanted to use with the bead I received. 

 I chose this olive green one with white and copper dots!  Look at the texture on the side of the bead – I really nee to know how she did this – it looks like stretched taffy! 

 I had purchased these chunky pearls at a bead show here in Pittsburgh a few months back, and I was so glad I did!  They go perfectly with the bead Rebekah sent me!  I also used two copper lantern beads I had left from a Bead Soup a while ago. 

 I did NOT, however, have the perfect clasp to go with it, and while I want to make one, I decided to look on etsy and see if I could purchase one.

I found this great toggle clasp from hummingbirdsupply on etsy and this it goes perfectly, with the dots on the clasp.  The only thing that might not work is if it’s too antiqued, which I can change, of course, or just go ahead and antique my copper beads.  Can’t wait to get it and finish this bracelet – it’s a keeper!

Please check out all the other participants in this month’s Component of the Month Challenge!


Guest Designers:
Ann – Bead Love
Melissa – Bead
Recipes
AJE Team:
Karen – Starry Road
Studio
Kristen – My Bead
Journey
Susan – Sue Beads
Rebekah – Tree Wings Studio
Caroline – BlueberriBeads

ABS Ornament Blog Hop!

Heather Powers of the Art Bead Scene hosts an Ornament Blog Hop every year!  I try to participate, and though it’s last minute (story I’ll tell you about another day) here I am! 

I made an owl based on a tutorial from Heather at Humblebeads.  I have dabbled in polymer and taken two classes with Christine Damm (who is the most generous person and enthusiastic teacher) but never made a 3-D item (aside from a heart that I really liked that sold!).  So it was time!

I made the polymer owl and painted it.  I tried to crackle it, and wasn’t thrilled, so I baked it again to heat set the paint.  Big mistake.  Or so I thought.  After I took it out of the oven, it was gummy.  But I let it sit for a while, and it got less gummy.  So when it was not gummy anymore, I sealed it with Renaissance Wax.  And then it got gummy again.  But just for a little bit.  And now it’s not.  I don’t know if it will last, but at least I finished it, right?  I used three felted beads I bought from someone who packages them in cute little glass test tube vials, but can’t remember who!  And finally finished it with a handmade, copper wire ornament hanger.  I may embellish it, I think it need some blue beads!

So there you have my ornament for this year.  I think I really like it.  I’m trying to make another owl and I burned it.  Ugh.  I’ll try again tomorrow, it’s already 1:30 and I have too many irons in the fire right now!

Here’s a recipe for Cinnamon Ornaments – the one you see below is ours!  You may have made these with your children when they were young – I think they are so cute!  You can replace some of the cinnamon with other spices, too, like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, etc.

Cinnamon Ornament

3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.1 ounces) McCormick Ground Cinnamon

Mix applesauce with cinnamon in a small bowl to form a stiff dough.  Using about 1/4 of the dough, roll a ball to 1/4 inch thickness between 2 sheet of plastic wrap.  Peel off top sheet, and use cookie cutter to cut dough.  Make a hole in the top of the ornament with a drinking straw.  Place ornaments on a baking sheet and bake for 2 1/2 hours at 200 degrees; place on a rack to cool.  OR carefully lay ornaments on a flat rack to dry at room temp. for 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.  Insert ribbon through holes to hang.  This recipe from McCormick.