Food Miniatures In Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a versatile medium.  I can be shaped and blended into different forms and colors. And just to show you that the clay artists of the Polymer Clay Smoosher's guild on Art Fire have a sense of humor here a few items made from polymer clay that, truly, look good enough to eat!

Pictured below is an amazing watermelon cane from Art Makers World.  From the striped rind to the tiny black seeds, it is truly representative of one of summer's favorite fruit.

Watermelon Polymer Clay Cane by Art Makers World

These happy little Candy Corn Earrings look so realistic, I want to pop them into my mouth.  It's a good thing they come with ear wires attached, otherwise someone might mistakenly eat them!


Candy Corn Earrings by Blue Morning Expressions

This ribbon Candy Ornament by KaelMijoy  looks just like the real thing.  Everyone will think you've hung real ribbon candy on your tree.

Ribbon Candy Christmas Ornament by KaelMijoy

This salad ring by Mystical Me Designs cracks me up.  It is so realistic, yet funny in its absurdity.  The lettuce, tomatoes and hard boiled egg are incredibly detailed and look so real.


Handcrafted Polymer Clay Salad ring by Mystical Me Designs

This little grey mouse is adorable and his slice of birthday cake looks yummy, right down to what looks like a strawberry on top.


Little Grey Mouse With Birthday Cake by Quernus Crafts

All in all, polymer clay is perfect for working up miniature food items.  It's easy to shape and sturdy enough once cured.

The Attack Of the Fingerless Gloves

They seem to be everywhere on line, yet I very rarely see anyone wearing them  I, myself, love knitting them.  I found instructions on knitting gloves and mittens using two circular needles and I haven't stopped knitting since.

The two circular needle method takes quite a bit of getting used to.  The way I describe it is, it is like trying to knit with an octopus.  You have four needle points and because I'm lazy and always leave the weaving in of the yarn ends till the end, I have all the assorted yarn ends hanging down, as well.  Sometimes it gets very confusing and more than once, I've had to rip out all my work and start all over because I couldn't figure out where I was.

I'm finally starting to master the technique and I'm getting better at it.  Here's a couple of examples of pieces knitted using two circular needles.

Fingerless Gloves with Mitten Tops

Black and Orange Fingerless Gloves

Hand Knitted Fingerless Gloves

And I really love this purple hat!
Purple Knitted Lacy Hat with Flower

If you are a knitter, I urge you to try this technique, if you haven't already.

Beads In Polymer Clay

Polymer Clay lends itself well to bead making.  From large and elaborate focal beads to the tiniest of beads, if you can envision it, you can create it from polymer clay.  the polymer clay artists from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire have mastered the art of bead making to the max.
Here are a few examples I found while perusing the Guild's list of artists.
Hope you find them as beautiful and breathtaking as I do.


Polymer Clay and Gemstone Necklace by Dragonfly Serenade

Pandora Style Jack-O-Lantern Beads by Just Jewelry by Joan

Pink Polymer Clay Tube Beads by Prescence 

Mystical Green and Purple Star Pendant by Drunkenmimes 

Green Translucent Web Beads by Art Maker's World

Pink Floweer Pillow Beads by Blue Morning Expressions

Sculpture In Polymer Clay

Polymer clay lends itself well to sculpting a variety of items.  I've never sculpted anything out of clay that needs a kiln to fire it, so I'm not sure how different that would be.  But I do know that for smaller items, like those below, polymer clay is a wonderful medium.

Polymer clay comes in a number of colors and can be easily mixed to get just the right shade.  It can also be fired in a oven over and over again so that you may add different elements to your sculpture.  It can be painted with acrylic paints, tinted with shiny mica powders, and antiqued to give it an aged look.  Then it can be wet sanded and buffed or coated with an acrylic sealer like Future floor wax to give it a nice shiny finish.

The artists below have obviously mastered the art of sculpting with polymer clay.  I've including there Art Fire shop link so that you may see other items by these talented people.
HarrisonHollowDesigns
Roly Poly Santa Ornament by Harrison Hollow Designs

QuernusCrafts
Teacher's Pet by Quernus Crafts

Kimi's Jewelry From The Heart
Bear With Blue Roses Necklace by Kimi's Jewelry From The Heart

Fantasy Clay
SteamPunk Dragon Pendant by Fantasy Clay

Art Vision
Sculptured Bird Necklace by Art Visions

Creative Critters
Ooak Lighted Pixie Oak Tree House by Creative Critters

Amazing Designs
Cymbidium Orchid Refrigerator Magnet by Amazing Designs

Amy Crawley
Grey Tabby Cat Ornament by Amy Crawley

Let's Welcome Autumn

After the horrendous summer, with scorching heat, debilitating drought, and hurricanes, I think almost everyone is ready for Autumn.

To me, Autumn conjures up visions of cool, crisp days, apple picking, the scent and sight of vibrantly colored leaves, and of course, Halloween!

I've searched through the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire and found some amazing pieces that depict the essence of the Fall season.

This Golden Fall Leaf Necklace by Strange Whimsy 
evokes the golden colors of Autumn.

The Orange Clouds Cuff Bracelet by Valerie's Stuff
reminds me of the mountains in Fall.

Happy Jacko Halloween Tea Candle Holder by Harrison Hollow Designs
is perfect for my favorite holiday!

Fall Leaves Votive Candle Holder by KKSPolymerClyArt
is a gorgeous way to bright the glow of soft candlelight to your environment.

This Autumn Copper Necklace and Bracelet Set by Flower Child's Artsy Jewelry
is both dramatic and beautiful with it's vibrant copper and black coloring.

I could go on and on but I think I've chosen a good representation of what these amazing artists at the Smoosher's Guild can produce.