[Deco Clay] "A Peony for Your Thoughts"

Welcome back!

Tell me what you think:  Does this look like a peony or a wilted rose?

Oh well... this was my first attempt in making one with the help of YukikoMiyai's instructions.

Obviously, I need more practice and lots of clay.

What's keeping you busy?

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Clay] "Disc-o Fever"

Welcome back!

I have "Disc-o Fever' and it's all because of this DVD:  

"Mixed Media Polymer Clay Beads by Rona Sarvas Weltman."

I loved the way she conducted the presentation - the instructions were simple, concise and full of information.  The techniques she taught were simple enough for a beginner and the not-so-beginner (that's me) polymer clay artist.

The focal pendant that I sent my Bead soup blog partner was made of 2 discs that were placed together to form one complete disc.  There were various textures and techniques used in the pendant.

There are designs going on in my mind that I hope would be transformed into reality.

See you soon!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Bead Soup] Cooking some Bead Soup

Welcome back!

It's a wonderful, sunny Saturday where I am.  My partner in the bead soup blog party, Sonya, sent me this beautiful assortment of ingredients.

I adore the metal leaf that she made and the clasp and enameled beads are awesome.  

There are ideas cooking in my mind so come back in August for the reveal.

Happy weekend!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Gift] "Bottlecapped Words"

Welcome back, friends!

I love incorporating swirls in my designs so here's some more of them.

These keychains were made for my friend SEC who is going to bring 4 teenage high school ladies out of town to expose them to College life.  SEC wants them to know that they have a bright

future and what better verse to assure them but this:

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

See you soon!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[HPCG] Bottles of Hope

Hello friends!  Welcome back.

Have you heard of "Bottles of Hope?"

 The Bottles of Hope is a project that was started in 1999 by Diane Gregoire, a cancer survivor and polymer clay artist.  She used her skill and talent as an artist to create art that would cheep up the lives of cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy, as a symbol of hope

The Houston Polymer Clay Guild, of which I am a recent member, regularly share these bottles.  

This is my first bottle of hope.

The process in making this project was fun - I thought of the person who will be receiving this, that she would find hope and be reassured that everything will be ok.

Stay tuned for more.

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Gift] For Shon

A dear friend of mine is having a grand celebration this weekend: 

 her and her husband's birthday and their wedding anniversary - such a lovely couple.

May God bless you as you continue to enjoy your journey together.

I gave her a leather bracelet with a focal piece that I modified by adding color using PC.

The handmade card was made using Cuttlebug embossing folders, Hero Arts cupcake stamps and 

Stampendous Birthday sentiment.

Have fun!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Bead Soup] What's Cooking?

Hello friends!

It's time for another Bead Soup Blog Party over at Ms. Lori Anderson's BLOG.  There were over 400 participants and I'm thrilled to be part of the third reveal on August 25.  

This is my second BSBP and I have a new partner / friend. She is Sonya Stille of Dreamin' of Beads / SAS Jewelry.  Sonya makes beautiful beaded necklaces such as this piece with a focal made from

 polymer clay.  I love how she made the intricate beaded design using peyote stitch.  

How I wish I had the patience required in making such beautiful pieces of art in jewelry.  

Head over to Sonya's BLOG to see more of her designs.

Here's Sonya's Bead Soup ingredients ready to be mailed.  

Gave her one of my paper quilled flowers and a polymer clay heart.

The party required us to give a focal piece and a clasp.  I made the focal using polymer clay using a combination of stamping and mica techniques.  Her soup also included coordinating beads

 (stones, crystals and glass beads) and metal findings.

I am eager to see what she will cook with these.

See you soon!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Cards] Twice Embossed Card

I wanted to take my mind off from working with clay and decided to make  card.

There were a couple of Sizzix folders on my table and this particular one was given to me last Christmas.

It had a floral motif - perfect for my mom in Manila who I miss so much.  I used my Tombow ABT markers and finally embossed it with clear powder.

I love the different embossed textures of the card.

Hope to get into the groove of making special handmade cards again.

Happy crafting!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Tejae Floyde] "Shepherd's Heart""

Let me share with you my latest encased heart as taught by Ms. Tejae Floyde.  Learn how to do it HERE.

This piece was colored with shades of green, blue and yellow to signify peace and calm.  
I also used glitter paint in blue to highlight the wavy pattern as in a flowing stream of water.

The heart is inscribed with the phrase:  "He is my Shepherd" and "Psalm 23" 
which is one of my favorite Psalm. 
 I made a base with a sheep (or what is supposed to be one) - haha.  

"Shepherd's Heart"

PSALM 23

1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3  He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

4  Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oi; my cup overflows.

6  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Blessings of peace from me to you, my friend.

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Mini craft room] Catching up...

Oh my, it's July!

I spent this weekend organizing my stuff and arranging my new, temporary craft corner.  It's been crazy moving from another State but it's all good.  I still have a lot of bins filled with beads and findings somewhere down there but for now, I'm happy to have everything most of the things that I need at hand. 

I love that there's a lot of natural light.

Next on my list of things to do was to do an inventory of my materials and tools. 

Guess ho many polymer clays are in this photo - a lot!   

I love the different colors even if I tend to use more black and white than anything else.

Lastly, I found this Amaco Tri Bead roller that I bought back in July 2011 but decided to try it out.

It was weird that the pieces didn't fit and slide as smooth as I thought it would.  I followed the directions to the letter and even watched several  videos on how to use it but it was just too tight to roll against each other.  

I'm wondering if this is just a factory defect or if I have to just slide or sand it down to make it fit and slide easily.... calling Amaco.. HELP!

I have a lot of projects lined up.

For now, I am just glad that I was able to blog again.

Have a wonderful week, friends!

♥  Michelle  ♥