This dragon is just learning to fly and decided to take a rest on a barrette in my craft room. He is concentrating very hard on his take off but is not really sure if he wants to.
He is inspired by Christi Friesen and her wonderful works. I am enjoying creating these little guys and plan on making more of them. And of course, allowing the dragons to invite the friends that they make during their travels.
I have been working on making sets of beads out of polymer clay. I am trying to make them the same size so that I can do matching jewelry with them. To make both of these sets I used scarps from my barrettes. I rolled the scrapes into logs and then cut pieces the same size. Then using the same technique that I make swirly lentils with I swirled the beads and then squared them.
These I made the holes straight across the middle on the beads like you usually find on beads.
These green ones have holes corner to corner, so that the beads hang in a diamond shape. I really want to find accent beads that bring out the cream tints.
I have heard that a lot of the machines that they sell at craft stores for polymer clay are cheaply made and break easily. I will admit that I do own one of those same machines but I use it for travel. (Like to guild meetings and the like). I bought it on sale and use my employee discount as well. (I work at a local A.C.Moore).
I have an Atlas that my husband bought me years ago. I have never had any problems with it.
My husband got it a specialty food store. I have also seen them at the higher end cooking stores, like William and Sonoma. I rarely have seen them at thrift stores but every now and then I find them there. I also know that you can find them at garage sales.
Another place to look is on e-bay. Although you have to becareful with shipping costs. You can get lucky though.
I recently have not been doing a lot of creating. With being away from my craft room while on vacation and spending time cleaning for upcoming guests to visit, I just haven’t taken or found the time to do so. (BIG SIGH).
I really need to spend some time in the craft room and see what comes of my playing. I have so many ideas that I want to try but not a lot of motivation to.
It is like writer’s block! You stare at that blank piece of paper knowing that the first words are the hardest. Once you get the pen to the paper it seems to flow form there.
I have found myself staring at the blocks of clay but I am not even picking them up! I really need to. I know that once I do, I will spend more hours creating then cleaning. Personally that sounds like more fun!
Well, I think that I am going to be branching out on my barrettes. I have many ideas that are not done with polymer clay.
While on vacation, I found a book on paper jewelry. It has some great ideas for all kinds of jewelry, including some barrettes and hair slides. I will be trying some out and of course testing them for durability. I may try to find something that will seal the paper and protect it from water damage.
I have found a number of tins that I will be playing with as well. I even found an old book on tin crafts. I have gotten lots of ideas and hints from that one.
I am going to be polishing sea shells and seeing what I can create with them. I gathered more when I was in Washington.
I have more sea glass and have ordered some sea pottery to work into some barrettes. I will working on my wire wrapping skills.