Polymer Clay Journey: Using The Stunning Nail Art Chrome Chameleon Mirror Powders

Hello everyone! Hope you're having a very creative day. This has been something I have wanted to share for along time. I was so excited to discover These powders on Ebay.ca, that I ended up ordering a little here and there - meant it took a while for them all to arrive. In fact, when I get crazy about a newly discovered art making medium like that, I ended up with doubles and extras. Which is fine, because a lot of them were more sample sizes anyway. And trust me, This powders And flakes Are just so stunning, You kind of want all that you can get - In every color that is.

Once again, The nail art world, Impacts the polymer clay world. As many polymer clay artists will tell you, worlds definitely collide when it comes to polymer clay surface techniques. If you saw my actual fingernails, Oh wait you can when you watch my videos, You will see Just how awful my fingernails are. So clearly I don't buy nail art "Stuff" For My actual nails.

These powders are called  mirror chrome powders, as well I've heard the term Chameleon used as well. The names may vary depending on who is selling them. As you will see in the video below, I have three of the same color, but each of them are a different "Powder." In fact one is an amazing Flake version, Another is a coarser grind called glitter powder (Reminds me of ultrafine glitter), And the other is the chrome powder (Reminds me of mica powder.) Now I do not think that These are mica powder based, If you know anything more about it please let me know. Because of the flake options, I think it might be synthetically made. Doesn't matter, There stunningly gorgeous.

Why So gorgeous? 
Because depending on how the light hits the surface, You actually have two colors in one. I did the best that I can, to show that in the video below. It's tricky trying to capture the amazing Effects With my camera, But I think you get the idea.

Watch now 
See Just How Stunning Chrome Powders Are On Polymer Clay

Here are a few links to get you started if you want to try them out:
Transparent Chamelon Flakes
Transparent Chamelon Powders
The White chrome Powders
Chamelon mirror  powders
Chrome Or Chameleon flakes
Chrome Holographic powders

HeArtfully Creating,
Anita

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Finally Friday! Polymer Clay Journey: Bead Making

Yay it is finally Friday! That may mean a lot to some of you, To others like myself, We work at home studio - We're creating Knows no holidays. That's because we love what we do. When you love what you do, It is at work. Not saying it isn't Actual physical work, In fact, Many artists work very hard at what they do. What I am trying to say, Is that no matter how much energy and effort goes in to creating, It sure doesn't feel like 'work' as the world knows it.

Recently I was working on some cane construction, After mixing a variety of colors using Primo translucent clay, along with bits of coloured solid clay. As often happens, As I sliced off the ends of the canes, I started smooshing up the scraps. And voila, as always, A delightful, colourful surprise. In fact I often like the colourful surprises produced from smashing up clay bits So much, thatI find myself making "purposeful," scrap clay just to turn into beads or something.

Click here to see how I tweaked my Amaco Bead baking rack, thanks to the Polymer Clay Tutor's idea.

Watch the video below 
if you want to dive right into How I made cylinder beads using scraps of polymer clay.

Bead Making Hints & Tips
#1 Bringing Out The Best:
Accent your beads or pendants by selecting a specific colour out out your surprise mixture.

#2 Can't Stand Up?:
I know many clay artists say t "stand up and look down to find the center of a bead before poking." If you can't stand up, like I can't, to look above, while poking a hole in your beads- just do your best to look above and down. Poke a little and hold up the bead to double check where you are.
Begin centering the piercing pin and gently twist it half way down. Then turn it around, eyeball the center again and begin to twist gently. Pick up the bead as you carefully maneuver the pin through, trying to make it travel gently through to the other side- if you go

Some of my very first cane  beads

slowly and carefully, you will feel it slide into the channel already made. Then out, it will come.

#3 Drills Or Needles? Raw Or Cured?
Many clay artists prefer drilling holes into beads and such after curing in the oven. One reason, because they don't know where exactly where the hole should be. I get that. But I have tried to do it after and for myself, it is much more difficult to try to hand turn a hand drill into any bead with thickness.
That being said, I have concluded that for me and anyone with hand pain, strength issues- poking holes and planning prior to curing is best. And if you want a larger hole after, it is easier to use that hand drill after a thin hole is already baked in.

#4 To Sand Or Not To Sand?
Well, again this is done a  lot by many clay artists. To sand and buff to a beautiful shine is rewarding for sure. But with limited hand strength, I can not achieve the same degree of shine as others do. So if you are like me or don't want to worry about all that - don't give up or be discouraged. My life is about improvisation - figuring out how to do what you want but in a different way than others, accomplishing the same or similar end result.

Smooth, smooth, smooth. The smoother your raw clay pieces are,

My Amaco Bead Baking Rack  with Sugru

the less sanding you'd have to do after. Or you just glaze it after if you want. You definitely want your pieces to be as professional as you can. 

Stir, stir, stir! I learned the hard way. If you do use polyurethane water based or even oil MINwax -is good, stir to the bottom or the glaze will be sticky and even peel off. Be gentle, bubbles are icky.


Question for you today is?
Do you like to?
A) Avoid sanding and buffing at all cost?
B) Keep your beads Au Naturelle?
C) Prefer to glaze to a glossy gloss?
D) Or Do you use a matte glaze?
E) Or does it totally depend on each bead making method? 

HeArtfully Creating,
Anita
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My first home Made Bead glazing rack

Polymer Clay Journey: Sgraffito Time - Scratch And See

Yesterday, I shared a new post with video about metal leafing, click here to see. And I said I was making a post with video tutorial about ways to incorporate metal leafing into or onto polymer clay.

Below is the video. It is meant to offer some ideas and inspire you to give metal leaf a try while using polymer clay.

Childhood Art Making Memory...
Sgraffito is one of the techniques I will be talking about. It is about scratching an image into the surface, revealing what is underneath. In fact, it was my dear Dad who first taught me scratch art (that is what we called it back then,). I suggest trying this method. We would cover a sheet of paper with a variety of colours using crayons. Then, using a heavy black oil pastel or a crayon that can coat the colours well. Then taking a metal scratching tool, like an eyeglass screw driver, start removing the black layer. That will reveal the colour underneath. I would just make lines and designs or you can draw an objective image. Watch the video below to learn what Objective and non-objective art is.

Watch the Video Below

Question for you today is?
What do you prefer?
A) Do you like drawing?
B) Do you like sculpting in polymer clay?
C) Do you like painting?
D) Are you still trying to find what art making method you prefer? 

HeArtfully Creating,
Anita

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Polymer Clay Journey: Go! Leafs Go!

Hi guys! Hope you are having a warm winter, Especially if you win where it is actually winter in the northern parts of this world- That's Where we live! Yup, It has been about -30°C With the windchill. What is a wind chill you  ask? First you have an actual temperature on the thermometer, And then the wind comes up. Depending where that wind Is coming from, Like the north, It can make the air feel colder than the actual temperature. Hence the Windchill factor. Regardless, It's kind of cold Up here.

Today I wanted to introduce something that may or may not be new to you. It is called metal leaf. I have made an introduction video that you can watch below And then my next video Will be a polymer clay application for Metal leaf. Yes I am sharing it Because it is really cool to use it on polymer clay, Or in a polymer clay.

Watch Below

One of the artists who have inspired me the most When it comes to using metal clay or gold leaf, Is one of my favorites, The great, The fun, The imaginative Artist,  Christi Friesen! In fact the technique that I will show in the next video (I will post it within the week), Was inspired by her Sgraffito bead.

The metal leafing Technique has been around for 5000 years or so. I am not an expert on the history, All I know is it is really cool to use it with Polymer clay. It is also used in Cake decorating And other sweet Delights. However, I do not recommend eating your Metal leaf, no matter how good it might look. I am assuming there are edible types.
But we're here to talk about Artistic applications That are not edible!

I have purchased mine on eBay.ca. I find a lot of supplies that way, At a fairly low cost. I just search what I'm looking for, click on free shipping, and the "Buy Now" feature. It usually comes from Asia somewhere, So it can take a while to arrive. But I find it is worth waiting for. So if you're looking for metal leaf, Just search for Gold leaf and you will find what I did. As well look for nail art supplies,  and nail art powders - If you're looking for more polymer clay tools and enhancers.

I hope you're inspired to try Using this item. Just remember to not Use it in a windy area! In fact be careful not even to sneeze Where the package is open. You will find out more when you watch the video above.

Please don't forget to join the  HeArtfully Creating group on Facebook. There are you can share what you're working on, Ask questions, And just playing talk about anything creative. It is not limited to polymer clay only. I'm a visual artist, So the Topics are endless.

HeArtfully Creating,
Anita

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