When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Recently, I taught a polymer clay button class at work. I not only learned a new technique that I really love, but I had a lot of fun teaching others about polymer clay. Raku is a ceramic firing technique named after a Japanese family, and the pieces can be used for tea ceremonies. There is so much information on the web, so give raku pottery a peek.

I was inspired to create this hand-held polymer clay covered mirror. I call it "Irish Eyes", in honor of my sweet Irish lass - DollieJo


Unfortunately, due to possible copyright infringements, I cannot divulge the exact technique that I taught. If you took the Clay 101: Buttons class at Joann's (#8425423), you have the student sheet for the technique. I will share the particular supplies I used

Supplies:
Sculpey III in black
FolkArt Metallic Pure Gold 660
FolkArt Metallic Emerald Green 663
FolkArt Metallic Pearl White 659
Sculpey Glaze (gloss)
Makin's Clay "sand" texture sheet from Set A 38001
Rubber Stamped brand wooden mounted stamp - 3314R Geometric Swirl Background
Darice brand 3-inch round mirror
Polymer clay basic tools (rolling machine, straight blade, baby wipes)

I created the heart in Raku style, barely covering the cut edges with a bit of gold to give it a worn gilded look. I covered the mirror in plain black clay, cutting the clay in a 3-3/4 inch circle, leaving enough clay to cover the edges and create a lip on the front. I used the texture sheet to make the clay look like a stone. I very lightly applied a bit of the pearl white paint, trying to give a mottled stone look to it. I hadn't counted on that paint getting a bit brighter during the curing process. (that's why it looks "shiny" at the point of the heart - its the pearly white paint, not a shiny spot). I baked it for 20 minutes total, on top of a round cookie cutter. Finally, applied a coat of the glaze just to the heart.

Thanks for looking!

Swap: My Favorite Actor/Singer SENT

The object of this swap was to craft an Altoid tin around our partner's favorite actor or singer. I thought this would be the perfect swap, since it only required an Altoid tin and an extra goody. My partner listed Pink (Alecia Moore), and John Mayer. I've never really heard either artist, but I at least knew of Pink.

Here are the items I sent:


A polymer clay covered tin, with TLS photo transfer

The inside of the tin, along with three 1" marble magnets

Knit wrist cuffs

Shrink plastic bracelet

Polymer clay earrings, using TLS photo transfer

Polymer clay pendant, using TLS photo transfer

I have yet to send the other part of the extra goody. It goes with the knit wrist cuffs.

Swap: Once You Pop 9 - Christmas Edition SENT

My partner's favorite Holiday color combos include red/green, blue/silver, and red/white. Her favorite Holiday motifs are woodsy, traditional, cute, snow (men,flakes), red/white (candy canes). I decided to go with woodsy and the red/white color combo.

The woodsy-country Santa can:

Polymer Clay Ornaments:

Beaded Icicles:

An advent calendar, a la Allsorts. This was a lot longer than I thought it was going to be. I also had a mishap with the ribbon between each pocket. I ran out of the original ribbon, which actually turned out to be a good thing because the new ribbon is a red and white gingham print. BTW, 9 feet of ribbon is not long enough for this project... I used almost 18 feet!

A crochet candy cane scarf, that did not want to be created in eyelash yarn so I used regular worsted weight:


I also adorned a black and silver frame with poly clay holly leaves and berries, but forgot to take a picture of it. I hope she is able to get a shot to share with me.

Swap: Once You Pop Round 8 - Halloween Edition SENT

The objective of this swap was to fill a Pringles can with homemade Halloween goodies.

I sent last week, and as far as I know, my partner got it. Here it is, in all it's Pringles glory!


The Pringles can. My partner likes Egyptian mummies, and I created this using cheesecloth, Mod Podge and those flat backed glass marbles used in planters and fish tanks. (Don't worry, they're clean!) I used two large round ones for the eyes, and an oblong oval one for the nose. Now that I think of it, it looks like I mummified Gonzo from the Muppets...

An Original Fearless Crafter Project

4 polymer clay pirate coins. My partner also likes pirates. What's a pirate without a few coins?


A polymer scarab. I got the directions from Polymer Cafe Magazine.



Barry the Bat (could be used as an ornament). Pattern



A Futurama Brain Slug, made from this pattern.


The bottom of Brain Slug. It's a hair accessory!!


A knit scarf, made of Lion Brand Incredible yarn.


I was so very tempted to keep this last piece for myself (but I didn't)! Drum roll, please! My personal favorite piece of this swap:

A polymer covered altoid tin!!

An Original Fearless Crafter Project

I covered the tin with polymer clay, black on top and red on the bottom. Then a jolly roger skull and crossbones. I used the new Sculpey Studio Bake & Bond to adhere glitter for the eyes since I didn't have any gems small enough. I used the gems I did have to create the eye sockets. Then put a thin coat of the Bake & Bond and very carefully added the glitter. As you can see, not all the glitter made it in the eye sockets.

Crafty Lesson Learned:
If you're going to use glitter with Bake & Bond, make sure you bake it right away!! My jolly roger skull has a slight case of red eye because I let it sit for a day before baking.

For the inside, I used a leftover piece of black fleece scarf to line the bottom and sides. For the lid, I cut a piece of plain white paper to fit. I then printed a pirate map from a graphic I found online. I found a section of the map that I liked, and cut it to fit the lid. I then ripped pieces off, and used a black stamp pad (I didn't have brown) to make the edges look burned. I even tore a little hole and inked the edge of that as well. I added a printed compass and the letter N, as well as the phrase "A pirate's life for me"

Swap: Cat Lovers Swap 4 SENT

This one was a bit of a challenge - my partner does not have any furbabies!! But she does have a ton of cat themed items at her house.


Cat Paw Tshirt Front:


















Tshirt Back:



















Baby Blue amigurumi cat:




















Cat Paw Polymer Clay Mirror: (I am not happy with the way this turned out, so I am going to redo it and send it to her. Along with the few store bought items I forgot to send the first time!)




















Cat Keychain:

Swap: I <3 Tea/Coffee/Cocoa Swap Round 4 SENT

I love coffee. And tea. And cocoa. And crafting.

Did I mention I love coffee?

I had to make 2 medium items and 3 small items. Ready for some killer beverage goodness?

Killer Coffee T-shirt



















An Original Fearless Crafter Project


Pacman Coasters

















Jazzy Java Jacket





















Crocheted Skull Trivet


















Polymer Clay Photo Holder







































An Original Fearless Crafter Project

Recipe Booklet and 1/2 lb of german chocolate cake flavored coffee

Polymer Clay Eyes *Tutorial*

I wanted to make these for a swap, but could not find flat backed plastic doll eyes that looked like the ones pictured. So I decided to make my own eyes. I did not take any pics when I made the first sets of eyes, so I will just have to make more!!

Sculpey Colors used:
01 - white
042 - black
1628 - string bean

*** Safety First!!! ***

It is not recommended to put uncured polymer clay on furniture.
If you use any type of food-related item such as a plastic chopping mat or pasta machine, you can NEVER EVER use it for food again!
Be sure to follow the directions for baking polymer clay!

*** End Safety Note ***

Let's Craft!!!

Start with a piece of white clay that will make a 1/2" ball. With a blade, cut the ball in half. Be careful not to squish the halves. Eyes are round, remember? This is the only part that I actually measured because I wanted to make sure that the eyes would fit the silverware I used.

Next, use green for the iris. All I did was to flatten a bit of clay and used my template to cut a few 3/8" circles. Carefully smooth them onto the white half-balls, but don't completely cover the white.

Use a very small bit of black for the pupils. Basically, use a small ball about half the size of a popcorn kernel. Flatten it. Smooth it onto the green.

Bake at recommended temperature and time (275 degrees for 15 minutes per 1/4" thickness). Since my oven is older and a bit touchy, I baked mine at 250 for about 17 minutes.

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Since I made my eyes, I have taken over the toaster oven for my clay baking. It is now nice enough that I can work outside.

Swap: Gothic Swap SENT

My swap partner is a spooky kind of girl, who loves all kinds of spooky!

Crocheted Wrist Warmers (Little Miss Sassy Hands pattern)












I found a few cool projects on Ladies Home Journal. Who would have thought that Gothy goodness could be found there??

Photo Album

















An Original Fearless Crafter Project

Table Settings




















Glasses
















An Original Fearless Crafter Project


Vampire bobby pin



















An Original Fearless Crafter Project