Polymer Clay podcast and TV

Take a guided tour through Ilysa's studio, featuring her new glass-topped office table from Office Depot. Who knew an office table would be the perfect alternative for working with polymer clay? And this one was a steal, price-wise, at only $99. So keep your eyes open for new ways to work with clay- we do! Also check out some of the ways she stores her stuff.

In this video, Kira talks about the texture makers and a few things you could do with them.

This week we talk about life, current events, and using the Studio by Sculpey texture sheets to make a cool project- which you'll see next week on polymer clay tv.

Check out our examples of how to show off your business with a nice card holder- and see the whole project at www.polymerclayclassroom.com.

What could be a better introduction to your work, than whipping out a beautiful card case covered with your style of polymer clay art? Next week you'll see Ilysa's version. I should do one too, I'll show you whenever I get to that! Also, coming up is the Orlando Clay Fandango in March. Be sure to stop by their website to see what's new. We'd like to thank them for sponsoring our trip- last year, and this year coming up. It is so great to be able to visit the show and film the artists and share it with the greater community! Speaking of sponsors, we needed to make the business decision this year to skip the Winter CHA show due to lack of personal funds to make the trip. We were contacted by several companies asking us if we would like to film at their booths- which is a great offer, however, first we need to get there. So this year we'll be working on ways to fund upcoming travel opportunities. You can help, just go to the Support our show page and see what you can do to contribute. Thanks everyone, and enjoy!

Why not make Hearts for Heroes this Valentine's Day? A special heartfelt gift for an active USA soldier at war- protecting our country. For more information, watch the video and visit heartsforheroes.com.

This week, enjoy an interview with Jeanette, aka ClayHappy.etsy.com. Ilysa and Kira met her when Ilysa went looking for a butterfly cane, and Kira ordered a Panda pendant for her sister. The quality of Jeanette's work is incredible- the backs of her pendants look like porcelain, and the fronts look like glass. She tells us how to achieve this finish, and will teach you if you convo her.

Using only polymer clay, clay tools, and an inexpensive mirror from the craft shop, you can make a gorgeous and fun mirror! Transfer designs on the back are very popular too!

Ilysa and I talk about how, once again, polymer clay can do almost anything! Pocket mirrors are a great small item that you can do so much with. Ilysa will show you next week how she made hers, using colored pigment powders graciously sent to us by Jacquard to add to our collection! Think about the little blank canvas presented by the pocket mirror- steampunk, caning, mosaic, image transfer...anything goes. Just be sure to embed the mirror securely so it doesn't break or fall out.

It's easy and fun to cover paper mache with polymer clay and mixed media art designs. See the full project at www.polymerclayclassroom.com.

We discuss how we covered the paper mache torsos you will see next week on PCTV, Covering a sink with polymer clay tiles, the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy is 2 years old tomorrow, and the monthly challenge is now open for entries and voting from Guild members as well as the general public. So be sure to visit www.pcagoe.com to see details for how to enter and vote to win prizes!

Check out all the stuff we fit into these French Blue Totes by Creative Options! We packed for our filming trip and the piles of supplies just keep coming. I’m not sure if it’s interesting, or comical! You decide… Definately a great bag for people who teach or travel with their polymer clay crafts.

Today we discuss how fun it is to make your own garland that looks like cookies or candies, but will last a lot longer than the real thing! And we give a shout-out to our Holiday Gift Guide winners, plus we discuss the French Blue craft totes we got from Creative Options. You won't believe what we fit into these amazing bags. We both brought them to our last filming session, filled with the supplies we would need to film 6 projects! Including pasta machines, tools, clay, and everything else we use. It's amazing. We love these bags and highly recommend them for anyone who travels with any type of craft. I have put yarn and needles in mine for crocheting, and am considering giving one to my sister who knits, too. Be sure to come back next week to see the video. And, making faux candy garlands will be available as a video project at www.polymerclayclassroom.com.

This week, watch what we've done with waterbased Glimmer Mists by www.mytatteredangels.com. Because they are waterbased, they create a puddled or droplet affect on the clay. They do not mix into the clay like a dye, and they must be sealed. But watch out- some of the darkest colors, like Red Velvet, don't take well to sealing- they might smear. But the lighter colors didn't smear and look great! Use on cured or uncured clay, just be sure to let it dry before touching the clay. Enjoy!

Check out how easy it is to add color, depth and sparkle to your polymer clay art. Use embossing powder to create raised, stamped effects on clay that is already cured, or mix it into your clay to color the clay and create faux stone effects. There are hundreds of colors of powders available from many different sources, and they can all be used. UTEE can even be used as a glaze for polymer clay. Have fun and experiment!