I’ve seen people making polymer clay gears but never actually using them functionally. Mainly they are for steam punk projects and are decorative. But I couldn’t see why polymer clay gears wouldn’t work as real gears to make things move, so I gave it a go! I’ve mentioned that I took an online course with Puppets in Prague and I really enjoyed it and so I took their advanced course this year. As part of that we had to...

Puffin brooches! As you may have noticed, I love puffins! I always like to have some puffins with me, and I’ve collected some lovely brooches from other artists. Making my Easter puffin made me realise I could make my own brooches – it was the first time I’d made a flat puffin, as previously I had only made 3d sculpted puffins. I used the puffin eye and beak canes I’ve made to use with my puffin sculptures, which is why...

I’ve been really busy this year with lots of exciting things.  I will write a post soon to let you know more about what I have been up to but first I would like to show you my latest polymer creations…. These are Faux Marquetry Brooches made from polymer of course. I will be teaching how to make these at the 3 day polymer clay workshop Polycreativa in Rome next spring. I taught at the same event earlier this year and had a fantastic...

A fellow polymer clay artist was asking about glue for brooch backs the other day and it got me thinking. What happens to the superglue I use when the piece goes in the oven?  My normal procedure for adding a brooch back is to superglue it in place then cover it in a decorative layer of polymer clay and cure the piece again. Here’s a sample back   I use the super glue to hold it in place whilst I am working and I know the polymer...

I’ve just realised I never did show you my Breath of Gold Brooch! There is a step by step tutorial of how to make your own published in the Wind Edition of ‘From Polymer to Art’ published in March 2013. I was recovering from Synergy when it was released which is how I forgot to show you! I have some beginners workshop in Bristol, UK this  month and a more advanced ‘little ball of flowers’ pendant workshop which...

Owls are still very fashionable it seems, which is cool cause I love them! I have just added an owl brooch and an owl keyring/charm to my owl repertoire. Here they are Owl Brooch Back of owl brooch Owl keyring   Owl collection – brooch, keyring and earrings The earrings are my earrings for this week in the pair of earrings a week challenge. So owls can now be little ornaments, pendants, keyrings, charms, brooches and earrings – what...