Member Benefits 018-4: Friends Stories

WONDERFUL CLAY ARTISTS: Cindy, you are awesome, thanks for the quick response. I am really looking forward to enjoying your course and I don’t feel that you are self-serving. You are so giving with all your knowledge. You see, I have been reading lots of your blogs and love all the comments of others. What a wonderful group of clay artists interacting and sharing experiences. I hope to be able to share in the future. Thanks again. ‘Till later… ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Storing Polymer Clay

MOTOR ON: You’re funny, Cindy. Not have a motor. Hahahahah! I think polymer clay crafting is for the individual to make their own and I love how you always, consistently consider both sides to relevant topics. As someone who always looks for ways to make new projects possible without a high cost, I agree, the motor is not “necessary”. As someone who has worked with a roller, upgraded to a pasta machine and now uses a motorized pasta machine (a gift from my Matsuka), I LOVE it and schedule my motoring around the needs of my family. I also use an ipod to drown out the noise. Again, not necessary but completely adored. :) ~Shannon-L >> This comment was originally posted here: Pasta Machine Motor

INSPIRED BY NATURE: What a beautiful tree!! In a way it reminds me of the river birch tree in our back yard with its peeling bark. I love the way you incorporate your love of nature into your art work….. very inspiring.. you are a true artist. ~Bonnie-J >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Color Recipes

NEW INSPIRATION: So good to meet you “in person,” Cindy! Through your voice I feel like I know you but with this video you’ve become a person as well as a teacher. May I say (as someone who gave everybody fimo pieces for Christmas in the 80’s), you’ve inspired me to a whole new art form. I’m not really a bead maker, but your videos have encouraged me towards really creative uses of polymer clay. I’ve now got my pasta machine (what a difference!), my Johnson’s Klear (yes, it’s here and it does work) and a whole new approach to earrings, rings and tealight holders. (Still struggling with that Dremel, though!). Keep up the great work! ~Lore-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Artist

BLESSINGS: Thanks so much Cindy for sharing your knowledge; you’re a wonderful teacher and a really sharing warm, person. You get people like that lady who I think are really envious’ of what you do. I’ve really experienced that too last week in fact. It can get really cruel out there sometimes.  Bless her Cindy and you will receive blessings. ~Cheryl-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Beads & Beading & Polymer Clay

LEARNING EVERY DAY: Wow … Thank you soooo much guys for all your kind words. Makes me wanna hug each and every one of you. I love Art and I am learning more everyday from each and every one of you too — Cindy I can’t thank you enough for everything u been teaching us. And thanks for your suggestion about the [Rose Bead] cane I will definitely try that:) ~Tania-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Rose Pendant

SAVING TIME: I love it. I work on my clay after the kids go to bed at night, so this will help me cut my blending times down especially when I am experimenting. Plus I have a hungry pasta machine, so I will be able to keep most of my clay for me and less for my p.m.  Thank You!!! ~Barbs >> This comment was originally posted here: Lietz Teardrop Method Polymer Clay Color Blends

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: This is darling! My brother absolutely loves spiders, I see a project coming on! *grin* …and I always have a little spider placed on my Christmas tree, no matter how small or large the tree is, been doing it since I was a child, I have even carried around the same little homemade spider for many years now, though the poor little dear has become quite fragile. Maybe this year I will retire him with one of these little beauties *smile* ~SusanAnn-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Spider Jewelry

POLYMER CLAY PROFILE: I am SO excited to find you! Thanks for adding me to your faves, I’ve done the same. Clay has been next on my experiment list for weeks now – in fact, I’ve been researching books. I think I’ll wait, though, until I’ve had a chance to peruse your lovely site. I, too, am a middle-aged with 2 kids, married 20 years to my best friend and soul mate for life. (love your profile:) Thanks again! ~Patti-E >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Trumpet Flower Beads

MEN: Bravo Cindy! How often does it seem like polymer clay is more for us girls making jewelry and knicknacks. I like the fact that men can be included in receiving gifts from the polymer world too! Of course, I would love a clock like this in my home too. :) ~Maria-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Faux Turquoise Polymer Clay

RECOGNITION: What a fun idea!  When I see the numbers I envision making a plaque for the entry way with our house numbers, or how nice it would be to make an awards plaque for a volunteer using the numbers to represent the years of service, you could do this for a wedding anniversary with a picture or birth announcement. So many possibilities, so little time! :) ~Jeanne-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Scrapbook Embellishments

FEELING PROUD: Ken, I have the opposite problem. I have been very artistic in every media since I was 3.  So, everyone assumes that if it was handmade, I made it. I would love to buy other peoples art work and enjoy their views on the world around them but, it would confuse my family and friends. “Did YOU make that?” Is what I would hear and I would have to confess, “No, but isn’t it amazing?” Most would then lose interest or feel uncomfortable. Or say, “YOU could do THAT and why don’t you try it…” I would feel guilty because I did not make it. (crazy, huh?) And I don’t want to replicate others ideas. I know what it feels like to have others “steal” your work. I don’t feel it is a “honor” to have other take your work and pass it on as theirs. (As I was told by a teacher when my work was taken by another student.) So, take pride in what YOU make! Be honored to have such talent to brighten our world. And take the credit for your talents! :) ~Catalina >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Artists

WHY MAKE BEADS: Hey Cindy, great question. I started making polymer clay beads and continue to, because I always found myself looking at a piece of jewelry and saying “I could do that”. Especially if it was an art piece that I felt I couldn’t afford. I can afford polymer clay and just love the feeling I get when someone exclaims “You made that??” It’s a great feeling.  So for me projects that are one of a kind, for me to wear are what I am looking for. Thanks. ~Susan-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Clay Beads

QUILTS & BEADS – A PERFACT MATCH: Thanks for your comment on my quilting blog, and for leading me to your site. I am totally amazed and inspired by your work! ~Elizabeth-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Cane Inspiration

WILL NEVER GET BORED: I feel that way too, Sherry, when I see certain artists’ work… One of our guild members put a couple of Jon’s pieces up on our Bring n’ Brag table for all of us to enjoy – which we did, immensely. I also feel that way when I see K. Dustin’s purses. In fact, I feel that way when I see any piece of art that grabs my heart and touches my soul, no matter the medium. I love polymer clay because it’s the first art medium I haven’t grown bored with because there are just too, too many things you can do with it. Don’t hang your head, Denise… I think it’s nice that you work in both! ~Mary-V >> This comment was originally posted here: Fimo Polymer Clay

BROUGHT HER PASTA MACHINE ON A CRUISE: Dear Cindy, Let me preface this story by thanking you for your commitment to those of us who are passionate about polymer clay. I feel that I have been given a gift with this site and that already my skills have improved significantly with availability of the videos, recipes, blogs etc. I had an experience this past week that I would like to share. My husband and I went on a cruise that included several days at sea. Thinking that this would be a perfect opportunity to practice new pc skills I packed accordingly. Yes, I even took my pasta machine (which resulted in confiscation of the suitcase it was in until I could satisfy the ship’s security team that it was perfectly reasonable to bring a pasta machine on a cruise). You can imagine that conversation. Fortunately, I had stopped short of toting my oven although I had seriously considered it. Imagine that conversation! Anyway, part of my plan was to make a bunch of faux pebble beads but lo and behold, I forgot to pack my grater. The solution? My newly purchased “pedi-egg” (no I hadn’t yet used it on my feet). The grater intended for removing callouses is super sharp and so grates the clay easily and the container part holds the shavings without mess. An added bonus is that replacement graters can be purchased as necessary. One recommendation to those who may try this would be to empty the shavings from the container frequently. If it gets too full the clay gets pressed together and lumps. Anyway, I’m certain that I am not the first to think of this but it proved to be the answer to my dilemna. Cindy, again my thanks for sharing your skills and experience. Sincerely. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Instructions

WEEKLY VIDEOS ON THE GO: Being retired, each day seems like a vacation to me although I seem to be busier now than when I had a day job. I rarely take my Rolling Studio (wheeled 20″ carry-on I use for guild meetings and workshops with clay, pasta machine, cutters, molds, stamps, inks and acrylic work surface) on my trips to the Gulf Islands. I do always take my laptop so I can read your blog and get my weekly videos. ~Lawrence-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

GRANDMA’S PORCELAIN ROSES: OHHHHHHH!!!!! You’ve been batting a thosuand recently. WOW! Again I can’t wait until Friday. I watch these videos initially during lunch at work. I could see these being made larger into sculptures like capodimonte and even other flowers. My grandmother had a porcelain set of items in her bedroom when I was a child that had the flowers on them, as time went on things got broken and trashed, there is only one piece left, a little vase, and even that has a portion of one of the roses broken off where it fell over. ~Ken-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Sculpted Rose Beads

BEADS THAT MAKE A STATEMENT: I just started beading a couple of months ago – but I knew immediately that I wasn’t happy with what I was making and it was because it just wasn’t me. I wanted beads that ‘said something’ and it was obvious that they weren’t available. Flipping through a beading magazine one day I came across a bracelet that a mother and daughter team had made out of mokume gane. It impressed me enough to make me stop and take a closer look. I knew right then and there that I needed to be making my own beads so that I could make my own statement. ~Aims >> This comment was originally posted here: Beads for Jewelry Making

LIGHTBULB MOMENT: Love this!!  My own daughter is a bookworm. She’s in her late 30’s now and has been a reader all her life. I didn’t think to make her one of these when I saw the lesson but seeing yours has made a lightbulb go off in my head. Thanks! It is such a great idea with her name in beads. I am really getting into PC now with all the ideas I am seeing come to life. I love it!! Great job Arlene! ~Maureen-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Hammered Copper Wire Hookmark

SO AWESOME: Hi Dora, just wanted to say you’ve inspired me to make some more k’scope canes since yours are so awesome! Mine aren’t perfect but I like them anyway. :) Time to practice I think! ~Silverleaf >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Cane Designs

SELLING YOUR JEWELRY AT WORK: I work at a law firm with over 100 “support staff” — most of whom love jewelry. I’ve sold quite a bit just by wearing something new and different. Plus some people just can’t find the right color of earrings to match their new outfit and know that I can pretty much match anything (grin). Those 30 plus years of mixing colors as a decorative painter are paying off! The same rules apply to mixing colors in clay. For instance today I have on a spring green sweater and I’ve made a cover for my id badge reel (have to have it to get around in the secured building) that has that spring green in it along with some purple, black and white. I made this one a couple of weeks ago and have already sold three that are similar designs since. Plus earrings and a bracelet for one customer. Christmas is always a good selling opportunity here at work and I keep a few things with me so that if somebody needs a last minute gift, they can come to me. I have always done — even back in the painting days — some sort of a dated Christmas ornament and those sell very well at the office too. Which reminds me, I need to start think about a design for this year. ~Arlene-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Jupiter Beads

IDEA SHARING: Hi Cindy: I love the back and forth sharing of ideas and suggestions on your site – it really adds to my toolbox of information. I too would like to know how to make these headpins in more detail. I find the idea of playing with fire very appealing (one of the things about me that scares my husband). I also love the look of the ball headpins and find them very difficult to find. I’m game for whatever you want to teach us. ~Carol-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry Projects

CAMARADERIE: I have been here for quite a while now, and have not been disappointed yet Cindy. So anything you want to do, just makes being here better and better for me. I love every minute of it I can get. Even when Im very busy I try to peek in every day. Just to take a breath and suck in some of the atmosphere of creativity and comraderie here. Hopefully one day I will be able to participate more when I have my own work space done. Until then you all keep me stoked and ready to go the second I am able! Couldn’t face a week without a Friday tute and color recipes either. So don’t ever stop!  XOXO ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Flower Cane Tutorials

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Rain ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Autumn Green > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Linking Polymer Clay Beads Together Using Wire Wraps and Loops