Today’s video is all about the best part of making creative things: experimentation and play.
Sometimes we get so caught up in following tutorials, or making things look like something else we’ve seen, that we don’t take the time to just be creative, explore new possibilities, and find our own voice.
When you do sit down to this kind of creative play it’s good to just have your focus on a few simple things. This is what I show you in today’s video. I’m just making simple textured beads, but I’m playing with relatively new texture sheets. The only other thing I’m focusing on are surface effects.
As you’ll see when you watch the video, the discoveries and revelations come from experimenting and having fun with the process.
For me, and I suspect for a lot of other artists, this is the best way to come up with techniques and processes that are uniquely my own, (or at least ones that I didn’t copy from someone else.)
By using just a quarter block, or 1/2 ounce of clay you be able to make 10 to 11 beads. Even though I made around 30 beads I found it still wasn’t enough to fully explore all the possibilities. So be sure to make plenty.
Don’t focus on making a finished product. But when you’re all done I’m sure you will be able to pull out enough pieces to make a bracelet or necklace. Don’t be surprised if they aren’t the ones you originally expected to use!
Tools and Materials:
- Polymer clay
- Pasta machine or acrylic roller
- Shape cutter, any size, just for cutting consistently size beads
- Texture sheets
- Armor all
- Doll needle
- Mica powders
- Pan pastels
- Gilders paste
- Golden’s acrylic paint, Interference Blue
- Golden’s acrylic paint, Iridescent Stainless Steel
- Golden’s acrylic paint, Interference Gold
- Burnt Umber acrylic paint
Enjoy the video and happy creating!
Watch the Textured Bead Tutorial and Surface Effect Experiments-Polymer Clay at video YouTube.
Wow, it’s amazing to see how you’ve developed creatively over the years. I guess experimenting works! 😀
Aww, thanks!
HI Sandy – I LOVE all your videos! You are truly gifted and so pleasant to listen to as you describe your process and ideas. I wonder if you have tried rolling clay beads in microbeads before baking. I saw one crafter’s video on this, but I’m just not sure they would stay on. Any thoughts?? Thanks again for your great tutorials.
Barb
Hi Barbara, Thank you for the nice comments, I’m so glad you enjoy my videos. It’s funny you should mention microbeads, as I bought some a little while ago with the hope of revisiting that technique.
Back in 2015 I covered a couple of my dragons in microbeads. All I remember is that it was kind of a pain. But it’s definitely something I’d like to explore further. 🙂
Thanks again for the kind words.
Happy creating!
Sandy, I am a polymer clay virgin and you have helped and inspired me. You are a great instructor, love the way you teach that you should make your clay craft your own. Keep those tutorials coming. Thank you so much
Hi Beverly,
I am so glad to know that I have helped and inspired you! Thank you for your very kind encouragement. I definitely will keep the tutorials coming, as much as I am able. 🙂
Happy creating!
Sandy