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Welcome to The Artful Crafter Digest - February 2012
February 02, 2012
Hi,

[If you're having trouble reading this newsletter or if links don't work, click here to read online.

While the weather is still cold in the Northern Hemisphere, there are some cheery holidays coming up this month to lift us out of the winter doldrums.

We have Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Leap Day – an extra day for crafting. Yay!

I’ve set a couple of goals for myself this year. Have you?

How do you want to grow artistically in 2012? Will you be trying some new techniques or mastering some you already have practiced? And how about the craft products you create; where will they go? Will you be sharing some of your talent with others?

"If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." ~Lawrence J. Peter

And while you’re heading toward your goal(s), don’t forget to have fun along the way ;-)

Eileen

AmericanGreetings.com Free Trial!

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CALENDAR TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR CRAFTING

  • Valentine’s Day - February 14
  • Mardi Gras - February 21
  • Leap Day - February 29 - Yes that’s right, this is a leap year!
  • St. Patrick’s Day - March 17
  • 1st Day of Spring - March 20

NEW ARTICLES ON THE ARTFUL CRAFTER

CROCHET

100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet

BEADING

Beading Supplies Warehouse

DECOUPAGE and DECALS

New Decoupage
New Decoupage: Transforming Your Home With Paper, Glue, and Scissors

MIXED MEDIA

KIDS’ CRAFTS

CRAFTERS HELPING CRAFTERS

INSPIRATION

READER LETTER: Making Polymer Clay Millefiore Canes

Hi!

First, let me tell you that your website is wonderful and you are very helpful to all crafters around the world, mainly those like me that live in areas where elements like polymer clay are not easy to find.

The reason I am contacting you is because I want to ask you if these homemade polymer clays you are sharing with us are good for making jewelry like you would with store bought polymer clay?

I live in Argentina, and I am amazed with all the jewelry making techniques and ideas that are out there to make with polymer clay such as Fimo or Sculpey. Here they are very expensive and hard to find and I was wondering if the same effect is achieved with these homemade clays.

All tips and honest information is very helpful!

Thanks Melisa

Polymer Clay Gingerbread HouseHi Melisa,

I understand your predicament completely! I’ve lived in Mexico for several years and some craft products just can’t be found locally; or as you say, if I can find them, they cost much more than they would in the U.S.

I’ve made polymer clay with most of the Clay Recipes on The Artful Crafter. We keep receiving new variations (like the latest one from Eva Stosic) and I can’t try them all – much as I would love to.

Truthfully, the ones I’ve used are not quite as good as the commercial clays you mentioned; but they’re pretty darn good for something you can cook up at home!

Homemade polymer clays tend to shrink a bit more (by weight) than commercial ones. Consequently larger pieces may develop cracks as they dry. Cracks are easily fixed by filling with thick PVA glue. Jewelry beads and pendants, being small, are perhaps the best use for homemade polymer clay.

Polymer Clay Snow PeopleI made the Polymer Clay Snow People above with homemade polymer clay. The figurine is about 3 x 3 x 2 and did require some patching.

Here are a couple of articles to help you out.

Cheers,

Eileen

The Artful Crafter - Helping Crafters to Be
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