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Polymer Clay Rose - Part 3

Here are the finished roses. I think you can add to them with glitter or special finishes. This necklace was made by inserting a head pin and looping each end of the head pin. Add a chain and that's it.

I made this necklace by inserting a head pin. I looped the top for the chain. I added 2 - 6mm crystal Swarovski Crystals to the other end. Then I curled the head pin up to finish it off.

This is a very simple bracelet. I attached a toggle with crimp beads. Strung on faux pearls and the rose.

This bracelet was made with memory wire. Curl the end and add beads - I used clear E beads and used the rose as my focal bead. Curl the other end of the memory wire and your all done.

Simple and pretty. I put a bead on the head pin and added the rose. I made a loop at the top of the head pin ( I have some head pins with loops and some without ) and just curled the other end up. I added a thin white ribbon and tied with a bow.

A purple rose? Why not? I inserted a head pin through the rose and added a purple bead to each side. Then I made a loop at each end of the head pin. I attached a chain in each loop and added a toggle.

So, that's it! I would love to know what you think.

If you make a clay rose, please send me some pictures.

Polymer Clay Rose - Part 2

This is where I left off on my rose making venture.

The rose is still unbaked and I used a head pin to make the hole.

I decided where I wanted the hole to be. I wanted the rose to be in the best direction for the finished product. There isn't a right or wrong, it's just personal preference. Then I just inserted the head pin. I removed the pin before baking.

This is a reference picture to show the actual size of the roses.

I used Sculpey for these roses. I baked them according to the directions but they discolored. It didn't seem to matter in the end.

Once baked, I sanded the backs of the roses to make them flat and smooth.

Then I painted the roses using regular acrylic craft paint and a well loved paint brush. It took several coats to get the effect I wanted. Plus, I kept finding spots in the crevices where I had missed.

Once I was satisfied with the color, I let them dry completely. Then I sprayed them with a clear coat to protect them and make them shiny.

I know there are polymer clay artists that are cringing right now - lol. I am sure there are paints and clear coats that are made for polymer clay. However, I just used what I already had.

Polymer Clay Rose Tutorial Part 1

I have never made anything with polymer clay but decided it was time to try. I wanted to hand sculpt roses to use as necklace pendants. I think they would also look great on boxes, picture frames, etc. So...this is my first clay project.

I kneaded the clay until it was soft and easy to work with. Then I rolled a chunk of it into a ball.

I rolled the ball into a long rope.

I tore 7 sections off of the rope. I don't think they have to be the exact same size.

I rolled the 7 sections into little balls.

Then I just used my fingers to flatten each ball.


You need the rose center to start. I just rolled one of the sections around itself.



Then I started adding the petals. I added each new petal in the gap where the last petal ended.


Keep adding the petals.

And adding.



Each time I added a petal, I curled the top a little to the back of the petal.

It's starting to look like a rose :)

Almost done.

And here it is. A little clay rose.

In order to get rid of the excess clay under the rose, I just rolled it between my fingers. It will get long and thin.

I rolled it as thin as i wanted and then sliced it off with a craft knife.

And this is the completed rose. You can stick a tooth pick or wire through the rose to make a hole for jewelry making. Make sure you make the hole before baking.

It was so much fun, I had to make more. Each one will be completely different.

You can either paint the rose after baking or you can just buy the clay in a rose color.

What do you think?

I know I need a lot more practice but I think they turned out pretty good for a newbie.

Extremely talented artist on Etsy

This is such an awesome Etsy shop...I just had to share it with you!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5041208

Cynthia's Nature Pics

Here they are. A few of the thousands she has taken.

My Daughter The Photographer

Cindy has been practicing with her new camera. She took some beautiful floral pictures. I think they are awesome!!! What do you think?

New Etsy Shop

I have been working on paper items - journals, altered books and altered clipboards. I was going to list these items in my jewelry shop - http://www.baremoose.etsy.com/ but I think a seperate shop will be better. So...I will be setting up a new shop soon. Let's hope it will do better than the first one!! LOL!!!

Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Blog

I have read time and time again that Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and Blog (like this one) will help promote your Etsy shop. So...I now do all of the above but when does the benefit kick in??? I am sure I am doing something wrong because I do not seem to be getting any promotional value out of these venues. However, I do seem to be spending too much time doing them.

Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/baremoose.
I have to admit I do love my new Myspace page. I search for fellow Etsians and send them friend requests. Every once in a while someone requests to be my friend. It is great to see all the new items my friends have added to the Etsy shops. But...no promotion value that I can see.

Twitter - http://twitter.com/BareMoose.
Okay, I admit, this confuses me!!! I am following people that I do not know. I am being followed by people I don't know. I have a few fellow Etsian followers and followees and maybe it would be more fun if there were more Etsians. But...again, how is this promoting??

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1781055110&ref=name.
What can I say? This is sooooo boring. No promoting that I can see.

Blog - You are here.
I am very surprised you are here. If you look at my followers you will see I have 0, zilch, nada followers. Who is here for me to promote to??? The problem with blogging is you have to be a talented writer. You have to write things people actually want to read. Why would anyone want to read this?

That's it - my point of view on M, F, T and B.