Adjustable necklaces and bracelets? How?

With all the talk about beautiful cords I thought that I would show you how one customer fastens her buna cord by making small sliders out of matching clay. Gail Garbe says:"I found the concept on Carol Simmons' blog - she was experimenting with nylon cording and I've just adapted it for buna and glue. You make 2 small rectangles, wide enough so that you can drill one hole (the diameter of your cord) all the way through and beside that a second hole partially through. I like to make them using the same cane as my pendant. After putting the pendant on your cord, feed a bead onto each end and then glue the opposite cord end into the half hole. Voila!" Thanks for sharing your photo Gail.

If you don't feel like making them from clay you can use the brass ones in the same fashion. There are 2 sizes available.

We'd love to see what method you use to fasten your buna, SoftGlass or any other type of cords!! If you feel like sharing send me your images! Email them here with "share" in the subject line.

Slide through End Caps  Non tarnish brass

End Caps that slide to adjust your necklace to exactly your preferred length. Inner diameter is 2mm. Length is 7mm. Package of 4 end caps

HYBR2307  $2.79 CAD

Pasta Machines back in stock!

All of the pasta machines offered at Shades of Clay are now back in stock.

There are 3 different past machines to choose from and 2 different motors as well!

Now is the perfect time to order so that you'll be ready when the heat of summer is gone. Before you know it the kids will be back in school and hopefully that will mean more free time for you and your clay!

The Makins motors are in stock too and I've been promised that the  Marcato Pastadrive Motors are on their way from Italy! (look for them to be back in stock before September.)

Makin's Professional Ultimate Clay Machine
This clay machine features sturdy stainless steel construction, extra wide 7" non-stick rollers and nine thickness settings.  Handle and table clamp are included. Please note that this machine is designed for clay and not for food use.   Motor available below

Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine 
High quality pasta machine easily produces polymer clay sheets of varying thicknesses; also serves to condition clay and to blend colors for certain effects. This pasta machine is a deluxe model; Italian made; 9 thickness settings; 150mm opening; 2 removable cutters for easy portability. Accepts the pasta drive motor



Marcato Atlas 180 Pasta Machine
Item #GIV208R
Similar to the Atlas 150 (immediately above) but with a wider 180mm opening. Also accepts the Pastadrive motor (sold separately).

Create your very own "Add-A-Bead" style bracelets!

Hello.  I hope that everyone is enjoying the beautiful week end.
Shades of Clay has some great new products to offer. I'm excited about these new bracelets. Everyone has seen something similar for sale in jewelry stores but now you can create your own story by making your own beads with "cores" and adding them to one of 2 styles of beautiful bracelets. First, there is the snake chain. It is 8.5" long, closes with a fine lobster clasp and has an extender attached. And last but not least, the twist end bangle. Just unscrew the ball end to add your customized beads! Just image putting all of  your "faux" recipes to good use or what if you used up some of those small leftover cane bits? Maybe translucent clay beads with inclusions...or what about beads that have been colored with Piñata inks or...... I'm sure that you'll have many of your own ideas too.

Click here for more info. (you'll need to scroll down the page)

Instead-A-Glove skin sheild

This is what Helen Breil is saying about a new product now carried by Shades of Clay.

"Here's a unique product I tried recently that I think many of you might be interested in. Wendy at "Shades of Clay" was kind enough to give me a sample of "Instead-a-Glove". My fingers are always in all kinds of paints, pastes and powders and this cream-type product creates a skin shield that helps protect your hands and makes washing up so much easier. It even helps with gooey liquid clay clean up. Good for gardening and other things as well. I use it on a regular basis now. Take a look it's the last item on the page."

Instead of a Glove skin shield
Easy rinse away protection. Rinse off epoxy, silicone, grease, oil, paint, fibreglass, inks, superglue, PVC adhesives, dirt, grime, magic marker and oil based clay. 100% biodegradable. .5oz
HYIAG105   $3.99 CAD

New 8" Acrylic rollers

Shades of Clay is now offering its own brand of acrylic rollers. These rollers are 8" long with a 1"diameter to fit comfortably in your hands.

Great for conditioning and rolling clay as the surface is non-stick. Wipe clean with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.

Sold un-packaged and sourced from within Ontario  means that they can be offered  at a great price! Just $7.99!

Cookie cutters from the kitchen store????

Who would have thought it!!! Well Helen Breil did of course.

Do you sometimes wonder what project to start next? If you haven't seen Helen Breil's beautiful book on CD it's a great place to start for inspiration. Helen's photo's are impeccable!
 Because of her and her book, seamless cookie cutters couldn't be kept on the shelves. Shades of Clay now has every shape that she uses in stock! Her CD's are available too!

Cord from Italy. Beautiful!!

Just in...all the way from Italy! I've topped up the supply of the richly colored 2mm cord often referred to as "Buna". 
These cords drape beautifully. Whether you use them a single strand at a time, or you combine multiple strands for a more dramatic effect you can create a show stopper! 
There are so many different color choices. Some are almost translucent. You have to feel these to see how soft they are. It might be too hot to "clay" but it's not too hot to create the base for your focal pieces! 
To see them click here