Member Benefits 046-3: Friends Stories

SWEET HUSBAND: Hi Lisa – When I read your post I thought about your pirate canes (lol) and that made me remember that I’ve not taken a picture of  my pirate cane, like my tree cane today, it’s pretty wonky too. Nobody near me really understands polymer clay like the people here. My membership is a gift from my sweet husband, that keeps me excited and curious… and being able to share our pictures with each other seems to put a bow on it so to speak. ~Tantesherry >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Community

MORE THAN JUST CLAY: Peggy, I love your idea. I’m new here, and I see names over and over but it took me awhile to make my first post. I guess I felt like I was maybe intruding? You all seem to have such an awesome relationship! Phaedrakat really made me feel at home and invited me to “come in”, so to speak. That gave me the courage to start posting. You all give each other so much encouragement and support, not only in claying, but in life. You said it, Peggy. “We have it all here. All the talent, dedication and so much compassion not just for our art but for each other. It just doesn’t get any better than this.” I look forward to (trying) to keep up with the posts, to learn all I can about clay but to learn about you all, too. My hubby probably wonders what’s going on- all of a sudden I’m running off to the computer every chance I get, where before I wouldn’t touch it for days! He keeps calling for me, to ask where I am and what I’m doing! LOL!! Anyway, now that I’ve rambled on I’ll get to the point. By doing this hopefully we won’t just be names on the screen anymore. Of course with my memory (you know, fibro-fog), I better bookmark the page so I can keep seeing who’s who! :) And gentle hugs to you, Peggy! (I love the story of your “Uuuuuuggggggss”. I was wondering where that came from!)  —  I’m Tanya M Leach- 49- Adamstown, PA, USA. Married for 19 yrs, have a son, a daughter, 2 step-sons and a grandson, 2 dogs and a grand-dog. :) I’m a Christian and a loving wife and mother, daughter and the big sister of a mentally challenged woman. I’ve been making jewelry for awhile now, and just recently discovered PC. And this website. I’m hooked! ~Tanya-L >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Cane Tutorials

HELPFUL COMMUNITY: Breathtaking!!!! Those beads from that cane are just beautiful … I love being able to get help so fast and from so many people Thanks everyone for all the great ideas. ~Helen-S >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials

STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF: Cindy – I love your Interrupted Broadcast message!!! Fun! — Rob – I’ve been told that I am my own worst critic so I know where you are coming from. From the pictures here, I’d say you need to stop doubting and keep those beads a-coming! And I so love the fact that you and your wife do this together. That makes for a very special relationship. People laugh at me when I tell them my favorite tools are my drill press and flatbed sander. Both were gifts from my husband who also taught me how to use them. He has since passed away, but I treasure the memories of the work we did together. ~Arlene-H >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Beads

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: Sorry Melinda, but I’ve got to say it FABULOUS!!!! I wish I was half as brave as you to try all the new techniques. It takes me a long time to work up to trying one, never mind all of them. Great job. And now you have inspired me to get my hands in the clay instead of just looking at all the wonderful things Cindy shows us. Thanks for sharing! ~Maureen-G >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Wire Work and Polymer Clay Beads

WORD OF MOUTH: Excellent idea, Peggy. I just posted some of my clay pieces to an online one-stroke painting group that I belong to. There were several responses from people who wanted to learn how to work with clay – so I told them all about Cindy, her blog, and her videos. ~Linda-K >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials

GUILDS: What a good-lookin’ group of clayers!  I’m so envious of those of you who have a local guild. You’ve inspired me to seek out others in El Paso, TX to determine if anyone is interested in getting one started. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Guilds

GOING TO GIVE IT A TRY: Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate that we can all share info here. I’m going to give your suggestions a try this weekend. ~Carol-C >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Tutorials

BIG WORDS: Aha!! I love this. Ever since I saw the cloud and raindrop earrings I’ve wondered how to do this, but I must admit I was flummoxed (confused, perplexed, flustered). LOL Thank you so much, again! ~Dawn-B >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Cute Little Hollow Puffy Beads

BOILED EGGS, LIVER, SULFER, SILVER, AGING: Hi all. Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I know we did. Yay summer! Anyhoo, I hope everyone can use this little tip. But I can’t claim mad scientist rights to it. I saw it posted on another blog some time ago, just can’t remember now which one it was, and have been using it since then on the rare occasions I have real silver to work with. I love that it’s green too, and no more stinky fumes from Liver of Sulfur. When you have breathing issues like I do with COPD, fumes are the enemy. Even perfume can cause me grief. So this is a definite winner in my book, and I’m just glad I could share it. ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Jewelry Making

QUOTED: I shouldn’t admit this (it makes me a huge dork,) but I felt quite pleased when I saw I had been “quoted” at the top of the page. My first time! I know, I know. REALLY big dork… Like, I need a life, huh? hehe ~Phaedrakat >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Easy Kaleidoscope Canes

JOYS & SORROWS: Jackie, I’m sorry for your loss. Your work is amazing and the love you put into it clearly shines through. Thank you for sharing your work and love with us. I find in this post and its comments the true essence of community — the sharing of joys and sorrows. I am so proud to be a part of it. Thanks, Cindy, for posting! And Jackie, I hope to hear more from you soon. Blessed Be. ~Phoenix-F >> This comment was originally posted at this link: In Loving Memory Polymer Clay

SUMMER SUN NOT SO GOOD FOR CLAY: I liked the Pina Colada suggestion too. I wonder if that is why Cindy made that lovely martini olive spear. I do my “clayin” in a spare bedroom but our house does have a room in the front that has lots of windows on three sides and I had been thinking about making my clay space. We refer to this room as the “Sun Room” for lack of a better name, unfortunately this room is rarely used because it faces West and is really, really hot in the summer. A great place for plants but not for clay. ~Anna-S >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Summer Polymer Clay Tips

WONDERFUL FAMILY: You guys are terrific … all of you have helped answer so many questions on wire work. I love polymer but until just recently have bought all my chains or used stringing wire to make jewelry. I am very interested in doing more wire work. … Cindy you are building a wonderful family here. I love and appreciate each and everyone of you for all your comments. Thanks so much. ~Peggy-B >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Jewelry Projects

STAYING CONNECTED: Living in Tucson during the hot summer requires having indoor hobbies. To beat the heat I would normally clay away and practice and perfect my skills, but this summer we’ll be traveling to CA with our motorhome and won’t have the time to clay. I will have my lap top with me and will check in everyday to your blog and look forward to “playing clay” when I return in October. ~Jeanne-C >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Summer Time Activities

EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY KIDS: Wonderful, wonderful! First, wonderful that the situation for Fisher was identified and Fisher is on a wonderful path education wise. And how wonderful that his Mom is very resourceful and solved the gift exchange problem. This gives many of us something to think about in our own families. Children unhappy in school and end up falling by the wayside when they could be an exceptional student and give something great to our society. Thanks for sharing this story with us, Cindy and that picture of the charms is very motivational. ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Kids Backpack Charms

MEETING IN PERSON: What a small world! Just think, not too long ago this would be just a dream. My grandmother is 95 and when she was born no cars were invented, no airplanes, no good way to travel except by train. Now, all we have to do to visit with friends and share information is to “log on!” But, to meet in person would be the icing on the cake!’ ~Catalina >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Friends

FRIENDLY INSPIRATION: I also agree that is a wonderful idea. Just another example of your caring and sharing on your site. I think its also another way to give those of us that  need little extra nudge sometimes. I have a hard time getting through the holidays, when it would get especially hard I would sit and read all the inspirational things that my new friends on here have said and it always helped. So this a New Year and New Beginning for me. So Yes I am in. ~Jackie-N >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Community

SECRET COMPARTMENTS: Cindy, I love your altered book!  What a clever, clever idea to use an old gardening tome, and the secret compartment in the back is pure genius.  My DGS would love something similar, although I don’t think that my crafting skills are up to your level.  Would you share with us how you made the nifty secret compartment in the back?  I’ve never altered a book (long family history of “books are precious, NEVER do anything to them!” that isn’t current anymore) and have no idea where to start. Thanks very much. p.s.  Adored the newt’s eyes. Brilliant! ~Sue-W >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Polymer Clay Props

CLAYING IN MEMORY OF GRANDMA: I have very fond memories of visiting my grandmother and doing crafts with her. She was one of those “artista” scattered types that always had unfinished projects all over the house (something I unfortunately inherited from her, I might add). Additionally, she spoke 6 languages fluently, wrote plays and was a nurse in WW1 and a simultaneous translator in WW2. I always had a great time with her – baking, doing projects with yarn, paper, etc. I am positive she would have loved polymer clay and wish she had lived to see it in all of its infinite glory. I clay in her loving memory. ~Maria-C >> This comment was originally posted at this link: Continuing Education Craft Classes

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Winter Blue ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Acorn >> Polymer Clay Tutorials VIDEO: Combing Technique for Making Marbled Polymer Sheets