A place to encourage the creativity of artistic minds of all ages. Offering Ideas, Inspiration and Instruction and sharing the work of others who inspire me!
Hope you guys are happily creating out there! I would love to hear from you and see your work, hear your ideas and questions. Please join our Heartfully Creating Facebook Group to do that. We also have a Facebook page.
Back to today's video sort of tutorial with a brief talk about composition. Composition is the overall visual appeal of our art work. The tips are valuable ones I learned in university and apply to all artistic disciplines.
Take a watch below to see my newest window decoration and learn a bit more about faux stained glass and composition.
Be inspired to create!
Subscribe! Like and Share!! (if you want of course :o) Come and join my HeArtfully Creating Group on Facebook. Here is where you can show us your original artwork, questions and thoughts here. There is a guideline page.
Hi guys! I just wanted to share A pair of faux knitted square stud earrings that I recently made for fun. After watching some photo knitting Techniques and polymer clay, I tried and tried and couldn't seem to get it to look like knitting.
After some more learning, I figured out what I was doing wrong.
So please learn from my mistake, I'm going to post a couple of video Tutorials So you can learn how to create the faux knitting look in clay.
My mistake? Make sure you twist the two strands of clay in one direction, twisting away from you and then the second set of strands, twist towards you, laying them down side by side, in alternating directions.
That way when you lay them side-by-side they will look like the knitted look you're going for. For the longest time I was stumped and didn't get it, I'm a slow learner. The key is to not give up. Once you get that part, it is a very Simple technique that looks real. We all know that knitted items are soft and squishy. So when you touch these, Of course they are not.
To Make The Pink Square Studs that I Did You Need...
💗 A set of earring studs with backs that have a flat disc to attach clay to
💗 2 complimentary colours of Polymer Clay of your own choosing
💗 Krazy Glue or a strong bonding glue OR, you can push the post base into the clay in it's unbaked state and bake it on
💗 Mica Powder for Sparkle
💗 Straight blade cutter
💗 Needle tool
What Next?
💗 Watch the video tutorials below to learn how to "knit" with clay. The smaller you roll out the strips of clay, the smaller your "knitting" stitches will be. In the videos below, are a few various sizes. MoClay's brooch stitches are about the closest to my stud square size.
Once you create a small sheet of "stitches," cut out matching squares. Mine are about 1cm x 1cm or 10mm x 10mm. I did not use a cookie cutter but if you have one, you can.
Then I laid each square onto a contrasting colour that I rolled out to the same thickness almost. Taking a straight blade, slice along all 4 side of your knitted square. Smooth it all out on the edges with your fingers.
💗Texturing: I took a needle tool and poked a texture into the back and sides of the coloured back.
💗Highlighting: Then I took a a hint of mica powder from the lid of my powder and highlighted wherever I thought best.
💗Bake face up, flat, on a piece of cardstock or paper on a ceramc tile, at the manufacturer's temperature for one hour. Yes, it says a shorter time on the package, but I have learned from other artists the clay is stronger when baked at least one hour even if it is thin. Or you can bake them on a crumpled up tissue if you want.
💗Once Cooled. I just squirted a bit of Krazy Glue on the center back and placedd the posts on. Let sit for a while.
Voila, all done!
FAUX KNITTING TUTORIAL VIDEOS
Be inspired and comment below letting me know if you have try this technique. I would love to know how it went for you.
Here is a video below that I made to hopefully inspire some polymer clay jewellery pendants. Here are a variety of methods and techniques. Hope you are even wee bit surprised!
Watch Below!
HeArtfully Creating,
Anita
Subscribe! Like and Share!! (if you want of course :o)
Hi guys! I recently shared with you, one polymer clay artist and vlogger who makes me smile. She lives in the UK and always reads her fans comments and even responds. It means a lot to us who admire and follow folks that inspire and teach us :o) Click here to see the first Share of Val, TheUnrulyHousewife on Y/T.
Today, I just wanted to share her newest tutorial and some other faves.
Be inspired.
Now Watch Valerie.....
How To Use A Lino Cutter On Polymer Clay
Five Things I Wish I'd Known When I Started Polymer Claying
Polymer Clay Bracelets Tutorial
Things I Decorate With Polymer Clay, Or Use As Molds
Time For You To Share: If you have a polymer clay artist that inspires ans teaches you, please share their work and link on HeArtfully Creating's Facebook page (click here). As well, we would love to see your work, even if it isn't in polymer clay. H.C. is a place about encouraging creativity of all kinds! Come, LIKE, Share and Subscribe!!
A Practical Polymer Clay project I completed a while ago.... more on that in the future!
As I reported previously, in this article here about the Polyurethane peeling off of my pieces. (And yes, I used the exact kind recommended by many reputable Polymer Clay Artists). I had to sand off all the Polyurethane and opted for sanding, buffing and waxing. Well, since that article, I have just read from The Blue Bottle Tree's Ginger Davis' Article, that the Renaissance Wax that came highly recommended by one of my favourite Poly Clay Sites - Isn't as protective as I believed it was. The Blue Bottle Tree says it isn't as protective to pieces with Mica powder on the surface, it may even remove it and that there are even more expensive ways to achieve the waxed effects.
Needless to say, initially, I felt confused about who to believe and what I should do. I am not dissing all the valuable lessons from those I have learned and are learning from...not at all. I am saying that it is my fault for not researching on my own, by actually doing my own tests. Always have been lazy that way...finding a teaching and then devouring all they have to say, basically parroting them without questioning anything. Learning lessons the hard way means those lessons stay with you forever. Conflicting Messages?
After countless attempts using recommended finishes, I personally recommend that if you want to seal or offer a glossy surface to your pieces, do your research. I have found conflicting articles by artists who I have learned from. It seems that some of the same methods and products when used by me, don't always works as described. Doesn't mean they were wrong. Maybe I do things differently and made a mistake?! Possible.
Regardless, I foolishly (in the beginning), just embraced, without question advice by purchasing and using specific glazes and such and covered a tonne of beads. (You know how much work that is!)
And then weeks later (sometimes even days later), when I went to use my beads or pendants, I discovered the surface to be sticky and ruined! Can't tell you how frustrating that can be. :o( Not that any of the advice I gleaned was wrong or anything. It just means I have learned that lessons need to be learned through trial and error on my own, not just following others without question.
Yes as many of you may know, there are definitely well meaning tutorials from less experienced clayers (I assume) who give advice that ends up contradicting those Polymer Artists that have great reputations, the ones I trust far more, such as some of my favourites: the Polymer Clay Tutor, Christi Friesen, Katers Acres, and now, Blue Bottle Tree and Unruly Housewife. If I hadn't learned from these guys, then I would be making even bigger mistakes. So I strongly encourage endless hands on experience and research.... Some Final Thoughts....
After too many disappointing glazing moments, I highly suggest to do your own testing on small amounts to avoid wasting your time and money. Bummer is, I bought one litre of Polyurethane and other glazes, now I will not be using them on clay! Be sure to research the terrific articles and videos by the many great poly clay artists online, but don't just assume every word of advice will work for you....test them out yourself or you'll learn the hard way like me
It has been over a year since I started working in polymer clay. Thanks to the many great polymer clay artists who share their tips, tricks and wealth of information about working in polymer clay. Cindy Lietz is one of the most knowledgable online clay tutors/artists that I watch almost daily. On that note, I want to share a hand picked selection of the You Tube videos from her channel, that I have gleaned a lot of useful information from. I hope she will inspire you, even if you aren't into polymer clay. I get inspired just watching artists create in a variety of media. HeArtfully Creating! Anita
A recent mokume gane stack I have been working from
Here is the link to Cindy Lietz's YouTube Channel-click here... Below Is A Collection of My Cindy Lietz- Polymer Clay Tutor Favourite Videos: How Long To Bake Clay
I love watching DIYs especially art making, crafty and review type ones. As a middle aged female, I too enjoy sharing what I love to do in video format as well. However, I admit, to record, edit and produce tutorials or videos of any sort, takes time. It isn't as easy as many think. That is why I was super impressed with a channel I discovered last night during my usual YT surfing. I was trying to understand what "decoden" was. Lo and behold, I began watching this video...listen to her great enthusiasm and very clear directions....
There are a lot of youthful craft making enthusiasts who love making YT tutorials. Crafts Are Cool has such a bright, cheery and enjoyable attitude and personality, I found myself watching more than just a couple of her videos. No, I didn't need to learn how to make what she was making, I just really enjoyed the heart in her videos. I may be old enough to be her Grandmother, but I really was impressed and wanted to share her channel with anyone of any age. Refreshing and fun! Thanks Crafts Are Cool! Keep up the great work! Happy Crafting.
Heartily Creating is about encouraging and inspiring folks of all ages to create, especially young ones. I remember being young, sooooo long ago :o) So what does reusing an EOS Lip Balm container
have to do with creativity? Just so you know, that was what I asked myself as I searched out for DIY
videos on how to make a handmade lip balm to put into an EOS container. I may be an old person,
but I am an artist and I must confess that I never heard of EOS until this year. I saw it in an online shop and because I am a visual artist first and foremost, I actually tend to by things because of how they look! I saw these little round orbs and loved the unique shape and colour, one even had stripes! A Side Note: EOS Review
My review regarding the actual lip balm product? Well, sorry, my husband and I are huge lip balm users and therefore experts on the topic...maybe not experts but we have an opinion. Because I have been making my own lip balm formula for a couple of years now and loving the results, EOS, is not anywhere near as moisturizing and slick. In fact, it may look and smell great, it may even last a long time, but it is because there is too much beeswax or whatever kind of wax they use. It makes it too firm and therefore when it is applied to the lips, I have to rub it back and forth a dozen times to feel like I have enough on my lips and even then, I am left feeling unsatisfied. Better Balm Option-Personally Speaking...
My balm recipe is not really measured, based on experience and research I add about 2 parts beeswax, 3-4 parts refined virgin coconut oil, a few drops of vitamin e oil, 1 part or so of coco butter unrefined and unrefined shea butter. Like I said not really a recipe. but boy does it turn out moisturizing and slick. It isn't "waxy" like EOS and other balms can be. Oh and did I tell you the EOS peppermint balm is unusable by both of us because it burns our lips, just too strong and I like mint! EOS Container Creativity
On that note, creating anything is part of creativity, so that justifies posting this article on Heartfully creating. I am about to create some new handmade balm after we dig out and clean our full EOS balm containers (no, we haven't even used it all up - the mint - nothing used). Right below is the video I plan to use to help me figure out how to reuse the EOS container to get my DIY balm inside. That lead me to seeing the other YT videos about resuming EOS. Not for lip balm but other things I never would have thought of. See what happens when you are in creative mode?
My handmade "logo" clay stamp...first a few words about signing art work...
If you draw, paint, doodle or make art in any way shape or form, you learned early on, to sign and date your pieces. It was my Dad who showed me that. Every beautiful drawing or painting he did, had his name and the date on it.
This article is about how I was able to create a stamp that I can use to "sign" my polymer clay pieces. To watch the YouTube video with details not in this write up, click here or right below.
"You're Not Van Gogh!"
A self taught artist for the majority of my 49 years here on this earth, I was able to finally enrol in our local Lakehead University's Honours Bachelor Of Fine Arts Program. By then I was about thirty
Vincent Van Gogh Self portrait painting
years old. I hadn't been able to attend there out of high school, due to the inaccessibility of that particular program. As the years passed, one thing lead to another and eventually, a new, pretty much accessible building was made.
Yay, finally! It only made sense for me to apply. My portfolio in hand, I applied and was accepted. Part time, I was able to complete a full year of credits in about three years. Even though I was already a professional artist, I did learn a lot about composition, printmaking, painting, drawing, art history, and design.
Now, remember I mentioned how most of us learn early on to sign and date our art work? In fact, I tell every child I receive art from, to do the same. Well, here I was in a first year painting class, later in life, established already with my own style and such. After completing an assignment one day in our 4 hour studio class, I did what I always did, I signed my name neatly, in the bottom right hand corner of my abstract painting assignment. As my professor walked toward me to check out my masterpiece, my heart racing anticipation of her praise, my jaw dropped when she asked me, out loud, in front of my entire
Digital Drawing Self Portrait, by Anita Berglund
- Nope, Not Van Gogh, clearly!
class... "Is your name part of the composition?" Embarrassed, and shocked, and yet understanding her point, "No!?"
dribbled down my chin. She then proceeded to inform me (yes publicly)... "You are not VanGogh. "
With a hand to my forehead, I exclaimed, "I am not?"
Just kidding, I was too humiliated and confused to be such a smart aleck. I bit my tongue. I wanted to ask her how on earth were we to sign our paintings? She never taught us anything about that, and I never asked even after that day because I assumed it was what all artists, of all ages do!
Hmmm....I admit, I had been proudly and boldly writing my name on my pieces, my whole life. It was what I saw when I looked at other artist's work, Dad's included and rightly so. Perhaps over the years I was getting a tad bolder, wanting my name to pop out. After all, how else would anyone know it was an Anita Harris original? (Since 2001, Anita Berglund original)
Lesson Learned
Needless to say, from that day forward, understanding fully, that I am not Vincent Van Gogh, I sign
My Dad, by Anita Berglund -
see, look to the right, discreet right?
every painting as discreetly as I can. It doesn't pop out, you have to look for it. A part of me wishes I wouldn't have changed this but, she was correct. I got it, my signature did add to the entire look and threw off the composition. In fact, a recognizable element, such as a name or word, has more visual weight to it and through off the balance compositionally speaking. Silly me, thought that all viewers expect a signature and automatically know that it is not to be considered part of the overall composition.
But, when you pay hundreds of dollars for a university class, it makes sense to glean all the useful, life changing information you can, otherwise what would be the point? I still don't understand some of the students I meet who pay thousands to a post secondary institution, yet, they seem to care less about actually learning and retaining, what they paid for - BY CHOICE, to learn! Hmmm....oops, bunny trail...
Discreet, can you find my name?
My professor would be proud, I hope!
On that note, I still sign my work, but I make sure it is blended in better, or at least not popping out in neon lights. My husband Craig, signs his on the side edge of the stretched canvas, I always want him to at least sign the front, but he won't.
Now, on the subject of "signing" your creations, be they two or three dimensional. I want to share what I have discovered about how to personalize work done in polymer or other clays for that matter.
Three Dimensional Signatures
Since 2008, when I added jewelry making to my portfolio, signing my work is not possible. Other than packaging your pieces with your logo and signature on the card, it is pretty difficult to sign or mark your pieces. I don't want to be scratching or engraving small earrings or necklaces.
Since 2014, when I began my polymer clay journey, I discovered that it is possible to imprint your pieces with a signature or logo of sorts. I learned this from watching one of my favourite polymer clay You Tube artists, Cindy Lietz, click this video click here to see where I got the idea, or click this link to see her article about the company that makes and sells these nifty stamps.
Frugality Births Invention
Of course with me, I always like to try to be frugal and try to figure out how I can make something
myself, if possible. So her video inspired me and voila, here is my first attempt at a couple of three dimensional stamps made from polymer clay, to stamp into my clay.
Above is my short video to show you, if you are interested in what I did. I didn't actually film the "making it" process, but if you are interested, I am more than happy to make a video or tutorial with more details. Let me know below.
Hope you learn something useful.
What Do You Think? Have you had any issues or experiences regarding signing your art work? I would love to read about them in the comments below. If you have any questions, special requests, or thoughts and feedback, also, I would love to hear from you. Just write it all down below and if you are interested, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking the button to the right. If you are interested in checking out my other creative projects and connecting in other ways and such.... Subscribe to our Anita and Craig Berglund YouTube Channel (where all of these videos and others are uploaded) Follow A Bergie Creation on Twitter the how-to's if you are interested. Follow A Bergie Creation On Pinterest Check Out A Bergie Creation Handmade Jewelry Shop on Etsy Join A Bergie Creation Facebook page.... TUMBLR DEVIANTART
My other Blogs you can Subscribe to A Bergie Creation Blog Walking Way Overrated ( Find out why here) Sure Hope GAZETTE
Still loving working with polymer clay. In the beginning, I was following what the poly clay artists taught in their videos and tutorials. Lots to learn and now put into practice.
One of the lessons I faithfully followed initially was...
#1 Polyform's PREMO and Souffle (all made by polyform) clay is the strongest and best for artistic purposes, like jewelry making.
Assuming that was true, I didn't try anything else. After all, what did I know as a newbie. Since my hands are weak though, I did notice that some of the colours (turns out some may have been on the shelf too long and firmed up) were pretty tough to condition, squeezing and manipulating the clay until it is pliable and all the polymer and such is well mixed, ready to use. Not wanting to depend on the pasta machine or clay conditioning machine, I want to use my hands as much as possible.
Curious, eventually, I purchased some Sculpey 3 and Fimo Effect and Fimo Soft. After all, Sculptey 3 is used by our dear young friend Luke, who first introduced me to polymer clay. He is a faithful Sculpey 3 user and has made hundreds of adorable characters that are pretty durable. Check his pieces out below.
Well, I learned that SCULPEY 3 is so soft, it requires no effort, a dream, but, it is too weak for thinner pieces. Not to mention, I love that Sculpey 3 and all of the FIMO lines offer a lot more colours that I love. But strength is important in my pieces. First meet Luke and see the sampling of his hundreds of characters, all made by him. He has been making these guys for about five years or more now!
LUKE'S polymer clay creations. The fellow I first learned about Poly Clay from.
LUKE'S polymer clay creations. The fellow I first learned about Poly Clay from.
LUKE'S polymer clay creations. The fellow I first learned about Poly Clay from.
LUKE'S polymer clay creations. The fellow I first learned about Poly Clay from.
Combining Clays Works for Me
Wanting to work with a soft clay and more colour options, I began mixing my main clay brands, PREMO with Sculpey 3 and Fimo. Does it work? Well, here I am to share my experiment, so, yes! Of course clay strength depends on what your purpose or use is. In Luke's case, Sculpey 3 is soft, easy to use and because his pieces aren't thin and delicate, they stay strong. Because most of my pieces are to be worn as jewelry, I make sure if I am to combine clay brands, I make sure Premo or Souffle is at least fifty percent of the content. And then based on advice I obtained from my research, bake the clay at the highest temperature. For example Premo is baked at 275 degrees fahrenheit and FIMO 265 degrees, if I combine the two, I bake or cure it at the 275 temperature. Nothing burns and so far all cures well. It is up to you, but I like to just turn off the oven and let it cool down on it's own.
I must say, FIMO seems to be pretty solid as well when baked. It is all an ongoing trial and error, learning experience. I like learning by watching tutorials and by testing it out myself.
Lesson Learned
Mixing brands of clays can work. My biggest lesson lately has been, take the advice from the expert poly clay artists, but as you develop your skill, try new things. You aren't limited by anyone. If you are curious what would happen if you mix this or do that, then try it. If you are really young, make sure you always have an adult to supervise the oven use, as well as making sure you do not work with sharp blades. There are alternative ways to cut your clay if you have wee fingers.
Since we've been talking about polymer clay lately. I just saw this great blog called the Blue Bottle Tree. I highly suggest subscribing, there are a lot of useful tips and tricks. The newest post is called "Make a Polymer Clay Starter Kit." Worth checking out. Just click on this. I am going to start a list of links to the right, that has the many useful polymer clay tutorials and blogs where I learned how to use Poly Clay (and will continue to learn.)
Hi guys. I just wanted to say that I would never have been able to learn about polymer clay, how to use it and received the inspiration to create with it, without the many great YouTube tutorials by a lot of learned Polymer clay artists. Below, I am going to list the ones I can remember, I know there are so many, I can't remember them all. If you are wanting to know about polymer clay, I will teach you what I have learned in under six months, but I strongly suggest viewing the videos that these artists have made just for people like us!
I have had an online jewelry shop since 2008 and have recently added my newest love, polymer clay designs. The video below just has a sampling of what is in A Bergie Creation on Etsy. If you want to see more, feel free to check out the shop (click here).
Now for the video (click here if it doesn't work)
This is just a sampling of what I have been working on. If you'd like to see more feel free to visit my shop at www.ABergieCreation.etsy.com
For Polymer clay projects not in my shop check out HeArtfullycreating.blogspot.com, my creativity blog.
Subscribe below and/or click "Like" and share to others!
THANK YOU to the many YouTube Polymer Clay tutorials that made my polymer education possible. Couldn't have done it without you all. I am still learning and watching your videos. Keep up the great work! I highly recommend these channels just to enjoy or especially if you are learning like I am.
