Shades of Clay Newsletter -Discount coupon code

Shades of Clay sent out a newsletter yesterday and then we realized that not everyone receives it. That means that you're missing out on the 10% off coupon code.

If you are interested in subscribing and reading the newsletter. All you have to do is click on this link to take you to Shades of Clay.

Once there, click on the word "e-letter" in the little blue box at the top of the page. 
Once you subscribe, you'll receive the link to view the newsletter online and get the code!
The coupon offer does have an expiry date.

"Almond Bezels and More" the new CaBezel Mold

"Almond Bezels and More". Does the name sound familiar to you? The newest CaBezel mold was designed to be used alongside "Almond Cabs and More" from Best Flexible Molds.
Penni Jo and I started communicating  a few months ago about the possibility of me creating a bezel mold to "frame" her cabochons.  I am happy to say that it is now available.
I find the Best Flexible molds  really easy to use and the shape of the cabochons were shouting out for matching bezels (OK, maybe that was just in my head).
The frame thickness (on the bezels) is approximately 2mm wide.  If you want the look of a wider bezel or a textured one, that's easy to do.
Once your baked bezel comes out of the oven and has cooled, place it on top of a textured sheet of clay (some liquid clay will help the raw clay bond with the baked)  then,  use a cookie cutter or better yet, cut a free-hand shape with a blade and re-bake.  
Now create your cabochon. The sky really is the limit here. Try translucent clay with a drop of ink to gently color it or create a faux stone look.
Once you have de-molded the clay from the Best Flexible "Almond Cabs and More" mold,  place it in the center and gently push  into the bezel to fill it in perfectly. Bake. If you have used mica powders or anything else that needs a protective coating PYMII is a great solution.

You can find both of the molds on this page.  If you purchase both of them together you will save 10%

Horizontal Pin Converters

Horizontal Pin Converters

Have you ever had a favorite brooch/pin that you wish could double as a pendant but didn't know how to do it? This may be your answer. It is called the horizontal pin converter.
Just slip it onto an existing pin/brooch and voila!  You can now hang it on a chain or cord.  The opening on the horizontal pin converter is over sized so thick cord and even large clasps on a necklace will fit through.
If you are creating a new piece of jewelry now and you want to make it so it can be both a pendant and a pin/brooch you can see how I did it here.

The placement of the pinback is important as it always is when you want your pendant to hang properly. Always place this in the upper third portion of the back, otherwise, your pendant will flop forward because of the weight.
As you can see in the photos, my pinbacks (1 1/4") were a lot wider than the horizontal pin converter. That's OK but it will slide around.  I fixed this by slipping a piece of 2.5mm SoftGlass onto the pin.  The pin converter now sits snugly in one place.
Another choice would be to use smaller pinbacks (last photo).  These pinbacks are 3/4" and a perfect width.
if you sell your work at craft fairs why not offer some of the pin converters for sale to your customers? They will most likely see added value in being able to wear the piece that they are purchasing in more  than one way!
The pendant was made using the brand new "Almond Bezels and More" CaBezel mold that was designed to perfectly match Best Flexible PJ001 Almond Cabs and More!  A match made in heaven :)

Here is a sneak peek at the new "Almond Bezels and More" CaBezel mold.