Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Rounding Up Sunday

by

  • Don’t forget! Take the survey on Polymer Clay Daily (if it’s still up by the time this posts) Speak up about how you think polymer clay should go with the manufacturers
  • The Etsy Russian Team has a giveaway for a pretty ring made with a polymer clay ranunculus
  • Iris has a video on her Polymeri Online about how she makes mezuzah (the technique would be the same for a generic metal bezel). Stop in and have a look!
  • Alice and Julie traded fabulous work – I have to say these two artists make some of the best face canes going but in completely different styles.

Comments

  1. I love to try and work with diff. things and create what ever comes to me. Depending on how I’m feeling and love to expand into diff. areas, I have always wanted to get into polymer clay…..

  3. Cynthia, clay is great fun to try and I highly recommend giving it a shot ! I haven’t regretted trying it out 15 years ago!

    Alice, it’s my pleasure! Thanks for making beautiful work AND posting it so I can “gossip” about it!

Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: Air-Dry Clay Making Handbook

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is Air-Dry Clay Making Handbook by Jacalyn K. Myron, and this is another one of those crossover craft books that could easily live in more than one corner of CraftGossip.

It is not strictly a jewelry making book, but the cover does mention jewelry projects, and air-dry clay is a lovely material for making lightweight pendants, charms, ring dishes, earrings, beads, and little decorative pieces. So I’m letting it sneak into the Jewelry Making series because, honestly, half the fun of handmade jewelry is experimenting with materials that were not necessarily “jewelry supplies” to begin with.

Air-dry clay is especially appealing for beginners because you do not need an oven, kiln, torch, or specialist setup. You can shape it, texture it, let it dry, sand it, paint it, seal it, and turn it into something sweet and useful. It is very approachable, which makes it a nice option for crafters who want to try clay jewelry without jumping straight into polymer clay baking or resin mixing.

This book looks like a practical beginner guide covering air-dry clay techniques, tools, tips, and projects, including jewelry, home décor, animals, figurines, and small sculptures. I like that mix because it gives makers room to play. You might start with a simple ring dish or pendant and then wander off into little bowls, ornaments, charms, or handmade gifts.

For jewelry makers, I’d see this as a gentle introduction to clay-based accessories. Think handmade pendants, textured earrings, little clay charms, or small dishes for storing rings and earrings. It would also pair nicely with our Jewelry Making projects and the more clay-focused ideas here.

My Shellie-style take? Air-Dry Clay Making Handbook looks like a calm, beginner-friendly craft book for anyone who wants to try clay without too much fuss. It may lean more general craft than pure jewelry, but there is enough jewelry potential here to make it useful for makers who enjoy handmade accessories, gift projects, and pretty little things made by hand.

You can find the book here: Air-Dry Clay Making Handbook.