Member Benefits 036-3: Friends Stories

SO MUCH INSPIRATION: Cindy, I couldn’t be more glad to have found your site. You (and everyone in our clay community) have given me so much inspiration. I can’t thank you all enough. I might have given up clay myself if it weren’t for you Cindy, and all the rest of you here. God Bless You All. ~Lisa-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Inspiration

STRUGGLES AND JOYS: What a beautiful gift you have given me today. To know that even you are vulnerable to doubt and insecurity in your creative process gives me courage to push harder through those #3 and #6 moments I experience all too often. I could have written this (though not so beautifully) and I thank you for capturing in words the struggles and joys that for me, naturally go along with turning those little blocks of clay into something beautiful. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Artists

WHY POLYMER CLAY: I think it is the instant gratification that polymer clay gives me more then any other medium. Although some techniques require hours and sometimes days of effort and concentration, I love to be able to sit down and within minutes become inspired to create something new and unique. For instance, I never create a “Valentines Line” but last week I spent the evening at the clay table just playing with my little girl and the next I know I have more then 20 pieces with a distinct Valentine’s Day theme! ~Shannon-L >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer clay Beads

PURPOSE: This is a great topic. I have boxes of beads, but haven’t done very much with them. I LOVE making them, but when it comes to wires and chains, not so much. LOL I’ve made a few pairs of earring which I wear regularly and hubby even sold quite a few pieces I’d put into something (earring, bracelets, etc.). I just like getting my hands in the clay! I made a concerted effort to put together a necklace and earrings for my niece for Christmas which turned out quite well. It made me realize that the beads need a vehicle. They’re not fulfilling the joy and purpose I intended when they’re sitting in a box. ~Dawn-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Beads

POLYMER CLAY OBSESSIONS: I love Jocelyn’s quote about “capturing” things in clay – I saw Avatar in 3D the other night and I had so many moments in the film where I was thinking “Wow, look at the colours/textures there, how can I recreate that idea in polymer clay?” Sounds like the start of one of those lists, “You know you’re obsessed with polymer clay when…” ;) ~Silverleaf >>> How funny Silverleaf! I was thinking the same thing during the movie too! We are all obsessed with this stuff, aren’t we? I am constantly seeing colors and patterns that I am eager to reproduce in polymer clay. My family knows that half-glazed look in my eyes by now and just roll their eyes… “there goes Mom again!” ~Maria-C >> These two comment were originally posted here: Polymer Clay Artists

THAT LOOK IN YOUR EYES: I think that most of my inspiration comes from two areas; 1) not liking to pay for cheap plastic stuff with no real flair except for fad, and 2) everything / anything around me. I adore the fact that polymer is the medium that it is. My family groans too, when i get that look, break out the purse note pad, and start sketching and jotting away. ^.^ Poor babies. ~Denise-D >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Inspiration

GREAT ADVENTURE: Dear Cindy, I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for such a kind offer. I will certainly be taking advantage of it and plan to spend some of my holiday choosing which videos I would like! Polymer clay is like going on some great adventure and to have such a superb guide in Cindy, is a real treat. ~Susan-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry

BEADS FOR MONKS IN NEPAL: I love that idea!  I found your website when I started making polymer clay canes, to put the slices on a flat piece draped over an upside down bowl to make candle holders. Now you’ve gotten me interested in making beads. I made a beautiful badge lanyard for work. And when my best friend just spent 2 weeks in Nepal with Acupuncturists Without Borders, she took 13 necklaces I’d made from my beads. The kids, nuns and monks all loved them – it’s so much fun creating new things. It’s interesting how different every cane is, using the same technique. I’d love to see what other people are doing with your new ideas, and to share what I come up with.  And it would be a treat to get some of your beads, too. ~Betsy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway

BURSTING CREATIVITY: Hi, Elizabeth! Congrats on being in the Spotlight! Your work is wonderful to see, and I’m so glad that more can view it via here! I just love all the enthusiasm for polymer clay and the creativity bursting around here! You all should take a look at Elizabeth’s beautiful site – there is so much to inspire there. I love all the joy that I see here, and always get inspired when I read and view Elizabeth’s work, and the works of you all. I love to see what Cindy has come up with each Friday, and like the rest of you, I think she must be magic to never need any sleep, because how else could she do all she does? Thanks for this site, Cindy! Hugs to all, ~Kay-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Kaleidoscope Canes

WARMS MY HEART: Just hoping everything is okay Cindy. It’s 9:30 in the morning and there’s no post yet. I’m so used to seeing the new post by the time 8:00am rolls around! Just want to let you know someone is thinking about you and hoping everything is okay with you and your family. You are missed! ~Maureen-G >>> Well since I am usually a late riser I did not realize you were late and I still enjoyed you with my coffee. However it warmed my heart to know that others noticed and took a real concern just as I can imagine that it warmed yours. ~Melinda-H >>> Smiling at how lovely everyone is on this blog – so concerned about each other. I just came online and saw that your post was up later than usual. Love the Raku with the copper btw! ~Aims >> These three comment was originally posted here: Wire Work and Polymer Clay Beads

POLYMER LUNCH BREAK: Dear Cindy, thank you so much for the feature! That is true, that any time I see your video at work on my lunch break, I want to leave work and run home to my clay table :)))) Dear all, thank you thank you thank you so much for all the sweet comments you left for me! I really appreciate that, you inspire me for making more stuff :)) ~Zuleykha-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Faux Pebbles

FREE WIRE: I found a source for free wire!!  I was at a friends house and an electrician was rewiring their house (well, two rooms). He left behind all kinds of “scraps” of wires he had cut off for this or that.  He was going to put them in the trash!  No No No, I said!  I scooped them up, took them home and stripped the insulation off them and have a variety of thicknesses of lovely copper wire!  So, I suggest those that want the wire but hate the cost, make friends with the local electrician and offer to “clean up his jobs” and benefit from all that free wire! ~Brenda-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Copper Wire Jewelry

PEAR PAIRS: Thanks everyone. This was a fun project, and my family was thrilled with the pear earrings. We are so lucky to have such a talented tutor as Cindy so that we can shine. ~Loretta-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Pear Earrings

MEMORIES OF COLLEGE: Ahhhh, Coleus! Coleus was the plant of choice to decorate a dorm room when I was in college, years and years ago, I never see one without thinking of the little rooms and fun times! ~Sarah-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Colors

MISS YOU: Hello to all… Merry Christmas (late) and Happy New Year to you and your family Cindy. I have been terrible towards the end of this year. I have not made any time for Cindy or her videos. I moved the end of October and just finally unpacked the very last box. I have a whole craft room to myself now with a door and everything. (I still have a 9 year old who likes to sneek in and search for items to use for his matchbox cars and army guys). Anyway… for the start of the new year my goal is to watch your videos every Friday and actually make what you teach. I have done quite a bit in the past and was doing really well. But then…life got in the way. I miss you! I promise, I will be a good girl the new year and will not miss a thing. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to all the excitement you will bring in the new year. ~KlayKisses >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutorials

PETROGLYPHS: WOW, this fits in with what I have been concentrating on recently, faux Bone and  Ivory with tribal designs or scrimshaw whaling ships. Our Pacific Northwest, like the American Southwest, is so rich in Petroglyphs and tribal art which is adaptable to our polymer clay art. Other parts of the world like the Lascaux Caves in France also offer the same opportunity  for some ingenious designs. I am always patiently waiting for the Friday AM videos so keep up the great work Cindy. A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your family and all the wonderfully helpful people on here. Hugz to all! ~Lawrence-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tribal Designs

SNOWING IN FLORIDA: Peggy is a wonderful person. She sent me her remnant Buffalo snow (and living in Florida, I was definitely having trouble finding any – LOL) – what a kind person she is to share with so many of us! I can’t wait for the weekend so I can give this my first try (OPALS – I’m going to cover the world with OPALS!!!!). ~Charline-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Faux Opals

BLOG HOPPING: Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for visiting my blog. Seeing a comment from you made my jaw hit the floor. It was like having a celebrity stop by, lol. ~Polly-D >> This comment was originally posted here: Calla Lily Beads

259 YEARS OLD: Just how excited are we all, thinking of Cindy’s “fopals” on Friday? There’s more than a whiff of pc fever in the air! Thanks for the advance notice you give on upcoming tutes, that’s such a help, Cindy, in getting our ducks in a row. Dare I say, Friday is my birthday (I think I’m about 259 now) so it will be a very special prezzie for that. Already thinking of lots of projects – pendant, mend my opal ring… what fabulous fun! XX ~Mary-U >> This comment was originally posted here: Faux Opal Bake and Bond Technique

ENERGY SHOT: Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments and support, couldn’t do this without you and your ideas and Cindy and all the great things she does. It’s a real energy shot. ~Bonnie-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Golf Stroke Counters

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Desert Palm ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Peach Rose > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Making Simple Wire Leaf Charms Using Balled Head Pins