The new Pantone colours (as seen by Carolyn at 2goodclaymates)

I landed on the 2goodclaymates blog today and was intrigued by Carolyn's musings on the new Pantone colours. 
The colours are wonderful and Carolyn gives examples and even some recipes for mixing certain colours. 
She definitely has an eye for colours. 
If you scroll down  she mentions how many of us (me included!!) have our favourite colours and how we sometimes keep using the same ones over and over (yep, that's me too!) Can you say green and turquoise"  Those are the colours that I'm addicted to.  Throw in some metallic (usually silver but lately copper is a fav too) and you pretty well have my colour scheme summed up!

I admire how Carolyn can use so many different colour schemes in her work.
I don't normally make New Years resolutions but this year I have secretly vowed to try to get out of my colour rut. (it was a secret 'til now

I now have Carolyn's Colour Clay System tutorial. It looks pretty epic. I've printed it out (it's over 50 pages) She covers a lot of ground in this tut.  I can't wait to dive in.

Here is some of what's included in her tutorial.
* how to mix clay color recipes and organize them with your own color library system
* how to mix up new colors by making your own Custom Color Wheel Charts
* how to make a Six-Step Color Blend
* a fun technique for testing color combinations I call my Mini-Mokume
* how to make some beads from your mokume

 To learn more go here.

 

Simple little reminders

I just love getting these simple little reminders in my in-box. It can help to ground me and put me in my place! I hope that it can touch someone else in a simple way too.

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne Creator of The Secret and The Power  From The Secret Daily Teachings Today, be grateful. Be grateful for your favorite music, for movies that make you feel good, for your phone that connects you with people, for your computer, and for the electricity that lights up your life. Be grateful for air travel that flies you everywhere. Be grateful for the roads and traffic lights that keep the traffic in order. Be grateful to those who built our bridges. Be grateful for your pet, for your child, for your loved ones, for your eyes that enable you to read this. Be grateful for your imagination. Be grateful that you can think. Be grateful that you can speak. Be grateful that you can laugh and smile. Be grateful that you can breathe. Be grateful that you are alive! Be grateful that you are You! Be grateful that there are two words that can change your life. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! May the joy be with you, Rhonda Byrne The Secret... bringing joy to billions Like Us on Facebook  |  Watch Us on YouTube Visit thesecret.tv  |  Store  |  Contact Us

The new All-In-One CaBezel molds are here and available

Another great tool to add to your arsenal. They are still made from the translucent photopolymer that allows you to see through to your clay for perfect design placement. It’s a definite advantage over rubber.

The concept is similar, but they are a bit different too! For those of you that are familiar with the original CaBezels, you’ll know that one side of the mold is for forming the Cabochon and right next to that is what is used to form the matching Bezel.
With the new All-In-Ones, the cabochon mold is centered inside the bezel mold! This allows for both to be created at the exact same time. Of course that also means that both LOOK exactly alike but it is so easy to change either the cab or the bezel.  I like to add a thin cab made of different clay on top of the one that is already there.  These molds are great for photo transfers too. You no longer have to try to shape a transfer to a curve!

Another thing that sets them apart from the originals is the large bezel.  These were designed this way for those of you that like to create things large, and also so that you could cut the bezel to whatever shape you want.  Leave it large and square if you’re into making tiles (mosaic), book covers, belt buckles, purse closures or large pendants. OR cut them down to the a size that suits. You can add texture to them too.

The 3 shapes that are now available are the  circle , the heart and the square (with rounded corners).

I’ll be recording some “how to” videos to show you how I’ve used them so far.

This collage shows the simple progression:

I sheeted some scrap clay on the thickest setting.

I added some silver guilder's paste.

When it was dry I placed the clay on a piece of paper and then used the new All-In-One mold on top.

Then I added some texture to the bezel with a needle too.

Then I started to shape the bezel.

I could have just rounded off 2 sides but i chose to round off all 4 sides with my bendable tissue blade.

I could have made the bezel round by using a cookie cutter. I instead just used the cookie cutters to impress a few lines. (bake it)

Then i added some alcohol inks to the cabochon. When dry, i added a layer of liquid clay and baked it again.

Then I added some blue alchohol ink around the outside.

That was easy!!!!!

I used a fine spritz of water as a release when needed.
Clean up can be made with mild detergent and water or rubbing alcohol.  But remember, no products containing ammonia please.     

The new CaBezel molds have arrived!!!!!

I'm so excited that the new molds have arrived from the manufacturer,  They are bigger and better than ever! The concept is new.....no longer is the cabochon mold beside the bezel mold.  It's right inside the bezel! That's why I've named them All-In-One.
Confused??? No need to be.
Have a peek at this video (my debut, ughhh!) It explains the concept.  I'll follow up with some other vids on how you can use the new All-In-Ones soon!!!!

7 Great Ways to Teach Yourself Polymer Clay (A nifty little e-book)

Cynthia Tinapple from Polymer Clay Daily has put together this wonderful little e-book full of polymer clay tutorials. (my buna cord ring tut even made it in there on page 6) Click here to see more and to share it with others too.

This tutorial comes from Parole de pate

I created this quick slideshow a few years ago.  It's an easy way to make Christmas ornaments, gifts tags or brooches.  Frosty uses the "Organic" CaBezel mold and "Santa" uses the oval from the "Geometrics" set. I'm sure someone could easily adapt this method to make a reindeer or two!!!! Click here to view the slideshow. (you may have to click on the "back" arrow to get to the beginning. You should be able to adjust the speed) 
There MUST be a better way to embed it but for the life of me, I just can't figure it out on the 2 hours of sleep that i managed to get last night!

Day 319: Self-help Advice from a 2 year old

Day 319: Self-help Advice from a 2 year old

I was spoon-fed this link from another blog that i follow. It goes great with a cup of coffee. It sure made me laugh out loud this morning.  Enjoy!!