Inka-Gold metallic paints

If you are at all familiar with my work than you already know that I do a lot of faux silver finishing for my jewelry.  I love metallics and mostly achieve this look by applying Eberhard Faber  pulver to black clay.

(Sometimes I use Pearlex powders ) However there is a drawback to using the powders because you have to decide on your desired metallic before you bake. Otherwise the powder won't adhere properly. Then of course you need to apply some kind of protective finish   (Future floor polish or Flecto Varathane) Since silver is my fav, this method isn't always a problem, and typically, at any given time i will have several baked bezels to choose from on my work table. Some are black some are gold or copper but most are silver. Lately

 though, I seem to be coming up with some new ideas for bracelets or necklaces where several of the same metallic finish are required as opposed to ideas for pendants where just 1 bezel will do.  This means stopping my idea in it's tracks to make more bezels!!

Now though, with these paints from Viva Decor i can get around that because this paint can be applied after the baking.

With my latest project I needed figure out a way to cover up the unfinished sides because all of these pendants were cut free hand and not going to be set into Bezels!!  What no bezels!??? (of course i couldn't completely disregard them. They are just used more decoratively this time)

These paints are actually quite dry and can be applied using your finger, a paint brush or even a make-up sponge. The image (below) with the green edge shows how just one application of paint almost perfectly covers up an edge that is actually half white and half black.  Once dry the paint can be polished with a soft cloth to produce a nice sheen.  I'm not sure how permanent the paint is because since I was applying liquid clay to the top I put it on the sides as well.

I'll need to experiment more to find out. I love these paints and I've already placed another order for More yummy colours.  I would suggest buying the trial sizes.  They'll last for a while and you can order more that way!  The paints are available here at Poly Clay Play.  This was my first time ordering from Trish and I was extremely happy with the experience. Trish will go our of her way to make sure that you are happy with your order (thanks Trish) I can't wait to get my new colours. I've already come up with another way to use these fabulous paints and I'm planning to  write up a PDF tutorial for it.  (don't hold your breath though, it may be a while)

Still playing with Rocky Path tutorial

Well here are 2 more examples of what I've used the tutorial for.  And I have another 10 or so ready to be strung.  I find that the finishing is the part that can be so time consuming. Trying to decide if the pendant needs a chain or a cord or maybe some  beads.  In my perfect world I would just get it to the point where i had the pendants finished with some suggestions on the direction the end product should go and then i would hand it over to someone that could finish them for me!! Someone with the knowledge and skill with wire and beads and string!!  Anyone want to volunteer?

"Rocky Path" A wonderful tutorial

I recently purchased my first online tutorial. I usually consider myself to be  quite selective when it comes to learning new techniques with clay but it wasn't the first time that this tutorial  by Christi Uliczny had tempted me.  I first saw it mentioned on Polymer Clay Daily and although I have played with the alcohol ink and leaf combo before my results remained flat compared to what I saw in Christi's work..  Easily distracted I left the page and forgot all about it until PCD mentioned how  Tricia Dewey had used that very same tutorial and manipulated it to come up with some pretty spectacular beads of her own.

This above  image is one that first caught my eye for the "Rocky Path" tutorial.  It is a great tutorial. Short and to the point and in it there were a few secrets revealed for getting some wonderful results.  Well worth the $7.00 dollars that I paid.
This story has a bit of a twist to it. Shortly after I had received the tut in my inbox I received a "thank you for purchasing" note from Christi. Here's the twist, in her email she also mentioned that she had just ordered one of my CaBezel molds!  It's a small world out there.  I'll be watching to see what she does with them!

Here are a few things that I've done with the tut so far.  I've been having so much fun with it that I've made several things.  The problem is that i just keep coming up with new combinations and I can never seem to actually finish any!  My creative muse just loves this technique!  My goal is to finish the pieces and list them on ETSY!
This one features a shape from "3 Fab Focals" I was after an ancient type of look here.

                                      For this one the 2 shapes are from "Lemon-Egg"

I am trying desperately to get away from making everything look like "silver".  I\m not sure why I am so drawn to it.  Let's see if i ever actually finish the pieces shown below! (the large one in the centre uses Christi's technique.)

The new issue of Poymer Clay is now available

If you are looking for something new to do with your CaBezels you'll find a tutorial inside the new issue of PolymerCAFE. I show how to add a textured frame beyond the bezel.

You've seen these before on my blog but they are another example of the technique.

Photo taken by Dean Archer

My two newest designs are finally here !!!

My two newest designs are finally here and available at Shades Of Clay.

The first new mold is called 3 Fab Focals. Pretty self explanatory I think.  These shapes look great on their own as a focal point or combine them with smaller beads as well.  If you are in to bead embroidery these cabochons would be a great jumping off point for you. (sighhhh, i wish I knew how to do that.)

I gave this bezel a bit of texture and then applied some silver pulver.

The other mold is called Frame It!
It was designed for creating tile bracelets just like Get To The Point!  I knew that once  I came up with a good design for a bracelet all I had to do was repeat it several times in a perfectly straight row. This means that the mold only has to be used twice to produced enough tiles (cabochons and bezels) to make a bracelet and because each tile is placed so close together it means less cutting too, therefore saving time and effort!

I used it here as a focal point in one of my grommet- bead collars.

These earrings were made without the bezel. So smooth and shiny.

I haven't had a chance to make a tile bracelet yet so this is as close as it gets for now. You can picture how a whole bracelet might look.  I do have lots of ideas. One of  my ideas is to use these frames to record some memories from our recent vacation in the Mayan Riviera.  I have a sister out in B.C. who loves to get my jewelry (does she have a choice??) so maybe I could choose a great scenic shot and turn it into a pendant for her. Or maybe transfer a picture of one her dogs onto the cab. She's crazy about her dogs!

I have also been thinking that this would be a great way to do a swap at a guild meeting or retreat. Let's say the workshop is on caning.  We know that everyone will use different colours and the results will be magical. A swap is often done. So why not have everyone make a specified number of Frame It! CaBezels and swap the finished product.  I know that i would love a bracelet or necklace where I could display other artist's work. 

This mold might also be a great way to display all of those favourite techniques that we learn over time.  How many workshops have you attended to learn something new?  How many of those techniques have you actually displayed in a finished piece?  (I'm guilty too)  I may just go and bake myself a series of Frame It! bezels. That way when I learn my next new technique or make my next cane I can immediately make a cabochon for one of my baked bezels and when I have enough different techniques gathered I'll turn them into a bracelet!!!

Frame It

Here is a preview of the next CJM to be released soon.  It's called Frame It and it works along the same lines as Get To The Point! does. It should be available soon at Shadesofclay. I'll tell you more when it about it when it is.

Yummy! A different take on the CJM's

I just love seeing what others are doing with the CJM's! This pic was sent to me by Sylvia Rollins and I just love her interpretation of the cabezels. She has just started her own blog too.
You can take a look here.