BEING DIFFERENT AND BEING YOURSELF: You didn’t think I wouldn’t chime in with my 2 cents on this topic did you Cindy? Muahahahaha! Seriously though, the way I see it is that with any “trend” or “style” somebody has to go first don’t they? Someone has to set the bar for others to aspire to. So who better than the woman who promised to “make the mistakes so we don’t have to”? And you are doing an admirable job IMHO. So why not have a dozen different styles or two? Who wants to wake up the same old person every day anyway, or stay that way all day long? I know I don’t. And you know what the nice thing about you and your website is? No matter who I am today, I can always find something to appeal to me here. Now, about that graffiti mokume gani….  XOXO ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Like Singing Opera in a Biker Jacket

POLYMER CLAY RADAR: How funny to hear that so many others get “the groans” from family members over what you can do with PC. Back when I first discovered it, I was super enthusiastic and had a list a mile long of the things I wanted to make (and learn.) I’ve always been fairly crafty, so I wanted to make everything out of polymer. My nephew wanted an overpriced, poorly-made accessory for an action figure, and I could see it would be easy to make an even better one with PC. I told his mom, “Oh, I can make that with polymer clay.” I ended up saying those words fairly often, so that it very quickly became the family joke. If a kid lost a toy, it was, “don’t worry, Auntie can make a new one with polymer clay.” Lost cell phones, can’t find your keys? You guessed it–”Don’t worry, she’ll make new ones with polymer. After I boxed it up, the jokes faded away. But now, I have a feeling they’ll be coming back. My poly radar is back up! ~Phaedrakat >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Inspiration

BIGGEST FAN: Jackie, I am so sorry for the loss of your biggest fan, Vance.  He was so right in encouraging you because you have a great talent.  Thank you, Cindy for showcasing Jackie and to show how wonderful this community is.  It’s great to know that there are those out there that will support and give encouragement to one of their own when one finds themselves in a painful situation. Keep on Claying Jackie. ~Catherine-R >> This comment was originally posted here: Inspiring Polymer Clay Tribute

COMMUNITY: Just finished my morning ritual – turn on computer, start coffee, pour coffee, sit down at computer and open blog. Sound familiar anyone? Needless to say there is always something special waiting and today was no different. Cindy, thank you for expressing what many of us feel, that this is our clay home to which we bring our creative yearnings and know they will be satisfied. Beyond that, indeed, there is something more, this sense of community, family, friendship. It would be impossible, I think, to identify all the factors that contribute. It certainly begins with your talent and generous spirit in being willing to share it with us. Maybe, too, in a world where egos dominate and there is very little genuine kindness, we, from all countries and all walks of life, as Cindy put it, have found an exception. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Beads and Jewelry Blog

GET YOUR OWN CRAYONS LOL: Wow, I work in a therapeutic nursery and I’m now eying the kiddies’ crayons like a vulture. Will pick some up tomorrow so I don’t break anyone’s heart! Thank you so much for all you do for the polymer community! ~Trudy-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Creative Techniques for Polymer Clay Inclusions

THAT ROCKS: I can hardly wait!!! We need the LOST TV version so we can time travel back and forth between tutorials. Doing my Happy Dance now. ~Anna-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Alcohol Ink Effects on Crackled Gold Leaf

TRAVELING WITH POLYMER CLAY TOOLS: Last March I went Minnesota to see my BFF and her daughter. My husband was not able to come with me so he sent me on a plane with my suitcase full of clay, jewelry findings, and tools! I was so worried I was going to “get caught” with my cutting blades, pliers, wire cutters I kept trying to “hide” them! Since they were in my suitcase and not my carry-on it was never found. My husband said if you are so worried about taking them just buy new ones while you are there. I asked him, “How am I going to bring them home?” He said “Mail them to yourself!” Yeah, right! But I did get stopped at the airport coming home because my girlfriend gave me a snowball that was a music box and they almost confiscated it! I had to put it in my carry-on and have it checked with my other luggage. I’m going to drive from now on. ~Catalina >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

STUDIO SPACE: I’m sitting here grinning as I read Dora’s comment about turning the dining room into a studio. The story of where I live and why is way to long to go into, but let’s just say it started out as a 36×16 greenhouse. When my husband died, I sold the motorhome and moved in. After a couple of years… [for full story, click link below]. I still don’t have my work space set up exactly as I want it since I’ve added polymer clay as my primary art form instead of the painting that I had done for years. It’s a gradual process but I’ve picked up some great ideas from Catalina and I love the idea of the magnets on the jar lids. My brother builds metal buildings so guess what he’s going to get to make for me this weekend???? Thanks to all of you for the ideas and inspiration! ~Arlene-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Studio Design Ideas

SUCCESS STORIES: Rob your beads are beautiful and Susan I love your Etsy store. Cindy you just bring out the best in all of us. ~Peggy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

ACROSS THE POND: Awesome (an overused word, but sometimes its the best word to describe the situation) is what it is to meet you ladies from “across the pond”. Love the pendant and the color of all those beads. How nice to meet like people. Good luck at the NEC. Please keep us up to date with what happens there and hopefully polymer clay will come alive and you will have more products to choose from locally. The best to all of you, claying, playing etc. ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: UK Polymer Clay

FEELS LIKE HOME: Yes I like the variety of different ways to do different canes. The more we try different ones the better we get. I hope! Poor Cindy seems we are going to keep you at it for ages to come. Whatever you come up with is fine by me, I’ll  be watching. It is nice too to know others out there are doing the same thing. Makes it all feel very homey, somewhere to go to discuss it all, and see all the variations, and the Cindy inspired pieces. Love. ~Elizabeth-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Cane Projects

LOOKING FOR MEN: Very cool Cindy! I don’t have any men in my family that would wear jewelry. They won’t even wear watches! But I know many ladies who would love to wear this also!! Maybe I’ll just have to start looking for men elsewhere!! Lol ~Maureen-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Men’s Jewelry Bracelet

INDIVIDUAL CREATIVITY: My friend recently did some using Fimo in translucent blue with gold leaf underneath. By the time the sheet was finished the gold was just in tiny flecks through the blue, looked a little like glints of sunlight off a swimming pool or something. Almost exactly the same technique, but her beads looked completely different from mine – I love how if you give the same instructions to a bunch of people they’ll all come up with something unique. ~Silverleaf >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Bead Making

FAMILY OPINIONS: Well, my goodness! We’ve really had a ‘family’ discussion here. Does each person in a family have exactly the same thoughts, ideas and tastes? Absolutely not! It is wonderful that we can each express ourselves honestly here on Cindy’s blog. I personally am thankful that not everyone agrees – that’s what leads to creativity – thinking on our own. Whatever names are given to techniques, it is the technique that Cindy is teaching us. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind at all becoming a Cindy clone – well, not totally – I’m too independent for that – but she is so talented and I wish I had half her expertise! ~Carolyn-F >> This comment was originally posted here: Purple Leopard Print Cane

BE PART OF THE FUN: I love the idea of knowing how to do different kinds of leaves. I could make fall leaves as “welcome beads” for my next year’s class. I am so happy about all the coming tutorials. I decluttered my living space and found my firewire, so now I can upload pictures of my beads! They are not great, but I want to be part of the fun. ~Jill-V >> This comment was originally posted here: Ivy Leaf Charm

DILEMMA: Do I tell folks that my beautiful turquoise is clay or just say thank you? LOL!! (I wonder what it would look like on the up-coming metal bezels?). Cindy, I loved seeing myself quoted. And I still feel the same, especially after seeing the “Catalina turquoise” above. ~Koolbraider >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise

MAKING NEW BEAD FRIENDS: Thank you all for a warm welcome! I was surfing the net trying to find out how to use the clay roller I bought 3 years ago! Cindy’s site came up and I spent 2 hours reading and viewing the video previews, she offers a few freebies so I signed up to receive them. I was hooked! I am from Eastern North Carolina, USA. 20 minutes from the ocean, 4 hours from the mountains and 4 hours from the piedmount depending which direction you go! I am so looking forward to learning how to make beautiful beads and making new friends as well! ~Laurie-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Your Own Jewelry Headpins

BIG BEAR HUGS: I feel that everyday here at your Polymer Clay Tutor site, I get closer to my claying friends. Starting to remember names and faces… man wouldn’t it be nice if we all lived closer? So that we could give each other big bear hugs. ~Brenda-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Book Beads

DAILY HIJINKS: What more can I add? I ditto everything that’s already been said. I love being a part of Cindy and Doug’s extended family and to keep up with the daily hijinks of the group. Any time I’ve had troubles, Cindy and all were able to answer my questions right away. I also feel I have grown as an “artist” and my friends and family see a definite change in my work. All this for less than the price of 2-3 lattes? What a deal!!! ~Maria-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Leopard Cane Tutorial Video

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Steel Blue ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Sand Dunes> Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Color Tinted Polymer Clay Image Transfer Technique

SO MUCH INSPIRATION: Cindy, I couldn’t be more glad to have found your site. You (and everyone in our clay community) have given me so much inspiration. I can’t thank you all enough. I might have given up clay myself if it weren’t for you Cindy, and all the rest of you here. God Bless You All. ~Lisa-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Inspiration

STRUGGLES AND JOYS: What a beautiful gift you have given me today. To know that even you are vulnerable to doubt and insecurity in your creative process gives me courage to push harder through those #3 and #6 moments I experience all too often. I could have written this (though not so beautifully) and I thank you for capturing in words the struggles and joys that for me, naturally go along with turning those little blocks of clay into something beautiful. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Artists

WHY POLYMER CLAY: I think it is the instant gratification that polymer clay gives me more then any other medium. Although some techniques require hours and sometimes days of effort and concentration, I love to be able to sit down and within minutes become inspired to create something new and unique. For instance, I never create a “Valentines Line” but last week I spent the evening at the clay table just playing with my little girl and the next I know I have more then 20 pieces with a distinct Valentine’s Day theme! ~Shannon-L >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer clay Beads

PURPOSE: This is a great topic. I have boxes of beads, but haven’t done very much with them. I LOVE making them, but when it comes to wires and chains, not so much. LOL I’ve made a few pairs of earring which I wear regularly and hubby even sold quite a few pieces I’d put into something (earring, bracelets, etc.). I just like getting my hands in the clay! I made a concerted effort to put together a necklace and earrings for my niece for Christmas which turned out quite well. It made me realize that the beads need a vehicle. They’re not fulfilling the joy and purpose I intended when they’re sitting in a box. ~Dawn-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Beads

POLYMER CLAY OBSESSIONS: I love Jocelyn’s quote about “capturing” things in clay – I saw Avatar in 3D the other night and I had so many moments in the film where I was thinking “Wow, look at the colours/textures there, how can I recreate that idea in polymer clay?” Sounds like the start of one of those lists, “You know you’re obsessed with polymer clay when…” ;) ~Silverleaf >>> How funny Silverleaf! I was thinking the same thing during the movie too! We are all obsessed with this stuff, aren’t we? I am constantly seeing colors and patterns that I am eager to reproduce in polymer clay. My family knows that half-glazed look in my eyes by now and just roll their eyes… “there goes Mom again!” ~Maria-C >> These two comment were originally posted here: Polymer Clay Artists

THAT LOOK IN YOUR EYES: I think that most of my inspiration comes from two areas; 1) not liking to pay for cheap plastic stuff with no real flair except for fad, and 2) everything / anything around me. I adore the fact that polymer is the medium that it is. My family groans too, when i get that look, break out the purse note pad, and start sketching and jotting away. ^.^ Poor babies. ~Denise-D >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Inspiration

GREAT ADVENTURE: Dear Cindy, I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for such a kind offer. I will certainly be taking advantage of it and plan to spend some of my holiday choosing which videos I would like! Polymer clay is like going on some great adventure and to have such a superb guide in Cindy, is a real treat. ~Susan-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry

BEADS FOR MONKS IN NEPAL: I love that idea!  I found your website when I started making polymer clay canes, to put the slices on a flat piece draped over an upside down bowl to make candle holders. Now you’ve gotten me interested in making beads. I made a beautiful badge lanyard for work. And when my best friend just spent 2 weeks in Nepal with Acupuncturists Without Borders, she took 13 necklaces I’d made from my beads. The kids, nuns and monks all loved them – it’s so much fun creating new things. It’s interesting how different every cane is, using the same technique. I’d love to see what other people are doing with your new ideas, and to share what I come up with.  And it would be a treat to get some of your beads, too. ~Betsy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway

BURSTING CREATIVITY: Hi, Elizabeth! Congrats on being in the Spotlight! Your work is wonderful to see, and I’m so glad that more can view it via here! I just love all the enthusiasm for polymer clay and the creativity bursting around here! You all should take a look at Elizabeth’s beautiful site – there is so much to inspire there. I love all the joy that I see here, and always get inspired when I read and view Elizabeth’s work, and the works of you all. I love to see what Cindy has come up with each Friday, and like the rest of you, I think she must be magic to never need any sleep, because how else could she do all she does? Thanks for this site, Cindy! Hugs to all, ~Kay-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Kaleidoscope Canes

WARMS MY HEART: Just hoping everything is okay Cindy. It’s 9:30 in the morning and there’s no post yet. I’m so used to seeing the new post by the time 8:00am rolls around! Just want to let you know someone is thinking about you and hoping everything is okay with you and your family. You are missed! ~Maureen-G >>> Well since I am usually a late riser I did not realize you were late and I still enjoyed you with my coffee. However it warmed my heart to know that others noticed and took a real concern just as I can imagine that it warmed yours. ~Melinda-H >>> Smiling at how lovely everyone is on this blog – so concerned about each other. I just came online and saw that your post was up later than usual. Love the Raku with the copper btw! ~Aims >> These three comment was originally posted here: Wire Work and Polymer Clay Beads

POLYMER LUNCH BREAK: Dear Cindy, thank you so much for the feature! That is true, that any time I see your video at work on my lunch break, I want to leave work and run home to my clay table :)))) Dear all, thank you thank you thank you so much for all the sweet comments you left for me! I really appreciate that, you inspire me for making more stuff :)) ~Zuleykha-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Faux Pebbles

FREE WIRE: I found a source for free wire!!  I was at a friends house and an electrician was rewiring their house (well, two rooms). He left behind all kinds of “scraps” of wires he had cut off for this or that.  He was going to put them in the trash!  No No No, I said!  I scooped them up, took them home and stripped the insulation off them and have a variety of thicknesses of lovely copper wire!  So, I suggest those that want the wire but hate the cost, make friends with the local electrician and offer to “clean up his jobs” and benefit from all that free wire! ~Brenda-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Copper Wire Jewelry

PEAR PAIRS: Thanks everyone. This was a fun project, and my family was thrilled with the pear earrings. We are so lucky to have such a talented tutor as Cindy so that we can shine. ~Loretta-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Pear Earrings

MEMORIES OF COLLEGE: Ahhhh, Coleus! Coleus was the plant of choice to decorate a dorm room when I was in college, years and years ago, I never see one without thinking of the little rooms and fun times! ~Sarah-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Colors

MISS YOU: Hello to all… Merry Christmas (late) and Happy New Year to you and your family Cindy. I have been terrible towards the end of this year. I have not made any time for Cindy or her videos. I moved the end of October and just finally unpacked the very last box. I have a whole craft room to myself now with a door and everything. (I still have a 9 year old who likes to sneek in and search for items to use for his matchbox cars and army guys). Anyway… for the start of the new year my goal is to watch your videos every Friday and actually make what you teach. I have done quite a bit in the past and was doing really well. But then…life got in the way. I miss you! I promise, I will be a good girl the new year and will not miss a thing. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to all the excitement you will bring in the new year. ~KlayKisses >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutorials

PETROGLYPHS: WOW, this fits in with what I have been concentrating on recently, faux Bone and  Ivory with tribal designs or scrimshaw whaling ships. Our Pacific Northwest, like the American Southwest, is so rich in Petroglyphs and tribal art which is adaptable to our polymer clay art. Other parts of the world like the Lascaux Caves in France also offer the same opportunity  for some ingenious designs. I am always patiently waiting for the Friday AM videos so keep up the great work Cindy. A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your family and all the wonderfully helpful people on here. Hugz to all! ~Lawrence-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tribal Designs

SNOWING IN FLORIDA: Peggy is a wonderful person. She sent me her remnant Buffalo snow (and living in Florida, I was definitely having trouble finding any – LOL) – what a kind person she is to share with so many of us! I can’t wait for the weekend so I can give this my first try (OPALS – I’m going to cover the world with OPALS!!!!). ~Charline-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Faux Opals

BLOG HOPPING: Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for visiting my blog. Seeing a comment from you made my jaw hit the floor. It was like having a celebrity stop by, lol. ~Polly-D >> This comment was originally posted here: Calla Lily Beads

259 YEARS OLD: Just how excited are we all, thinking of Cindy’s “fopals” on Friday? There’s more than a whiff of pc fever in the air! Thanks for the advance notice you give on upcoming tutes, that’s such a help, Cindy, in getting our ducks in a row. Dare I say, Friday is my birthday (I think I’m about 259 now) so it will be a very special prezzie for that. Already thinking of lots of projects – pendant, mend my opal ring… what fabulous fun! XX ~Mary-U >> This comment was originally posted here: Faux Opal Bake and Bond Technique

ENERGY SHOT: Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments and support, couldn’t do this without you and your ideas and Cindy and all the great things she does. It’s a real energy shot. ~Bonnie-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Golf Stroke Counters

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Desert Palm ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Peach Rose > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Making Simple Wire Leaf Charms Using Balled Head Pins

SPECIAL CLAY FAMILY: Ifama – Thank you for sharing with all of us. Your items are beautiful. You have shown and reminded us how wonderful Cindy is at teaching us all how we can take her videos and put our own personal touch on them. We can take and make something all our own thanks to Cindy. Cindy – I think we are the ones who are blessed to of found you. Thank you for everything I have learned and continue to learn. I have each and everyone of your videos from beginners on. I still continue to go back and watch all of them over and over learning even more each time. You do not have to be a beginner to get much needed information from the Beginner Polymer Clay Course. Even some parts that I had read about in books before, watching it on video helped me to understand it better. I also want to thank you for all the questions you have answered for me. You make me feel like no question is a silly question. Also thank you to all of the other members who have helped with my questions and concerns.  I feel like Cindy has made us all a part of a special little clay family where we can help each other. So I am sending all a special THANK YOU! Keep Claying. ~Peggy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutorials

JEWELRY SELLING SUCCESS STORY: I am hoping to add a bead section to my Etsy shop, I have added a couple canes so far! I also just got my Google base up and running. Have a success story too! My designs are now being sold at TWO stores in my town, a gift shop and a beauty salon! Also, a couple of businesses have requested business cards to hand out! One of them is the person to call in my area for clothing alterations (she is really busy right now with formal dresses for high school dances) and the other owns the banquet hall where I’m having my wedding! Hopefully I’ll get some custom wedding jewelry orders there! Thanks for all your help Cindy, I do believe you played a big part in my success! ~Carrie-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Etsy Selling

CARING ENOUGH: I’ve had the clay breakdown around the holes of some of my beads and the problem always was that they were not cured enough. Sometimes I bake things twice just to be sure. Thank you Bette for your questions and sharing your problem and thank you Cindy for caring enough to answer. ~Melinda-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Bracelet Project

BLOOPERS: Hello Cindy. Boy do I look forward to Fridays now thanks to you. I can’t wait to see what you will post next. And I’m never disappointed! This week is no exception. Another finger dancin video I must say. Cause you know the minute I see your e-mail in the inbox my fingers start itchin for some clay. And I luuurv your purple heart shaped bead! I’d join the army if they gave me one of those! The Fimo army that is. Only extruder guns here, lol. Do you ever make a bad video? Probably not right? No chance of maybe a hidden blooper reel or two? Just askin, hee hee hee. XOXO ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Pattern Backgrounds

EVERYTHING CLAY: LOL! Just had to rebirth this thread! Seems like, thanks to Cindy’s inspiration, just about everything I touch these days is made of polymer clay. Over the last few years I’ve redone my bathroom fixtures (poly clay cleans with a steamer beautifully), all my kitchen drawer pulls and door knobs, every pull cord imaginable, the light switches, the electrical outlets, the fridge door handle, made every magnet type available, gone on to cover clips and magnetic clips (clipboard style), pushpins, wall art holders, display stands, whew…..and more.  As long as food, ollie ollie in free! Something satisfying about covering your inside front door knob with clay and still having it work, lol. ~Jocelyn-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Tools for Polymer Clay

THANKSGIVING: What a wonderful example of planning ahead, being present in the moment, and finding the positives in life!  Our U.S. Thanksgiving Day is day after tomorrow. Finding this site, really learning about and creating with polymer, and getting to know you, Cindy, are all definitely on my thankful list! ~Marsha-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Craft Fairs Selling Jewelry

CATCHY NAMES: I never heard of it called that. It’s catchy and sometimes I think the catchier the name, the more interested people will be in it. Bookmark after all is kinda boring… now a book thong… more interesting and great marketing idea. Thanks for sharing that. I think I will start calling them book thongs from now on. Thanks for sharing! ~Lupe-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Beaded Book Thongs

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS: Hi Cindy, for Christmas I made both of my 21 and 23 year old daughters each a mobile. All of the pieces were made out of polymer clay… treble clef and music notes, and stars for Sarah, cool flowers, peace signs, and yin yang signs for Kaylah. For the stars on Sarah’s mobile, I stencil on designs like you described, using Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments. I guess great minds think alike!!! The mobiles turned out great… I was proud, and my girls were so happy with them!!! Hugs to you. ~Cindy-E >> This comment was originally posted here: How To Stencil On Polymer Clay

REASONS WHY: Hi Cindy, I think the main reason why I wanted to make polymer clay beads, is because I wanted my jewelry pieces to truly be one of a kind. Plus, I love the idea of taking a lump of clay and making something that doesn’t look anything like the original product it came from. Polymer clay is challenging for me also. It’s like a new art form to try and master. I’m certainly not there by any means, but I enjoy the journey. ~Kim-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Reasons For Making Polymer Clay Beads

SOMEHOW CONNECTED: Last Sunday the local PC group had our monthly meeting and guess what we did… made molds of buttons and earrings… LOL.  It is so funny how many of your blogs are just what I have been experimenting or thinking about. Maybe we knew each other in a different life or were twins separated at birth… no don’t think so because I am a couple years older. If you are into the TV show LOST, it may be a time travel thing. ~Anna-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Molds

TIME HAS NO MEANING: Thanks again folks, really appreciate the positive thoughts. Jocelyn – Do you know I haven’t timed myself – I get totally lost when I’m claying, time has no meaning. I intend to make sheets and wrap stuff like glass votives, vases and boxes. I would love to see some of your guys works of art! Big hint! ~Polyanya >> This comment was originally posted here: Kaleidoscope Canes

HUSBANDS: Rob, the modified planet beads are my favorite, the others are beautiful too. Thanks so much for sharing and the best to you and your wife. It is wonderful to find that there are husband and wife teams out there in the poly craft world. My husband is supportive but I wish he would join me. Maybe after his eye surgery I can entice him though I think I may have to move my craft table to the baseball diamond or the football grid. At least the den and the craft room are adjoining. Hope to see more of your work. ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Rock Tumbler

A RENAISSANCE WEDDING: I have only been claying about a year. Mostly I have made beads but I sure used a lot of clay in getting ready for my daughter’s wedding. She has a renaissance theme so I used clay for broaches, cloak clasp cover, place setting name tags and for the making a Celtic ring around the candle holder centerpieces. It was a lot of fun and I saved a ton of money doing these myself not to mention, got to make them very customized. Thanks polymer clay and Cindy. You have both helped me so much. ~Laurel-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Clay Beads

SPOTLIGHT: I am so thrilled and honored to be featured here on Cindy’s Spotlight. I have been out of town and didn’t find out until this morning. Thank you all for your wonderful and kind comments. ~Mollie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Keepsake Jewelry

SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY: Gotta agree with everyone, your beads are lovely. The colors and patterns on the beads are quite striking. These would look great with the autumn colored clothes in the stores now. Thank-you for the inspiration. Cindy, thanks too for all the wonderful, detailed tutorials. Just signed up recently, and I’m hooked. The blogs are a great source of feedback as well, a really nice group where everyone is so supportive. So glad I found this site! ~DJ >> This comment was originally posted here: Lentil Bead Instructions

SO PROUD: Congratulations Josie!!!  May you clay for a long long time. Cindy and the bloggers are so giving. I learn so much from all of them. I can’t wait to wake up and see what Cindy has sent us. Then, throughout the day, I check who all has written back. I’m so proud of you. ~Linda-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Butterfly

MADE MY MONTH: WOW, thanks to EVERYBODY for the awesome comments and a special thanks to Cindy for inviting me to participate. I am sorry I am just now getting here to see all the awesome comments. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Definitely made my entire month. :-)  Giant Hugs to everybody. ~Kriss-J >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Techniques

HEAPS OF VALUE: Hi Elizabeth S. Just love what you have done with the Raku tut. Have yet to try that one, and have just purchased the inks to get going on it. Keep up your lovely work. we have a great teacher in Cindy and for what we pay we get heaps of value, I’m sure everyone agrees. Bye. Love. ~Elizabeth-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Faux Raku

POLYMER CLAY RYHME: Mary: Wow, sounds like you’re going to have quite a good time! However it goes, it will be fun, ‘cuz that’s just the way with polymer clay. (I made a rhyme!) Yes, this is a fantastic site. I love the wonderful sense of community, as well as all of the inspiration and great videos and tips by Cindy. It’s got it all! ~Phaedrakat >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Cane Tutorials

IN LOVING MEMORY: Hi Cindy, I know I don’t usually post a lot but I am one of your biggest fans. I have learned so much from your videos. Recently my husband had noticed how much better my work was and he took a lot of the pieces to work to show the girls in the office. They loved them and he came home with only a couple left, He had sold the others. He also brought back orders for quite a few other things. He was my biggest fan. He would come home every day curious to see what I had done. Well he suddenly became ill with what we thought was the flu. By the time he went to the Doctor he had pneumonia. Two days later on September the 10th, the love of my life passed away. The reason I am sharing my story is that because of your videos and his confidence in me I hope that I can begin to sell my jewelry again. I had to move from NJ back to my home in Alabama where we are from. We were in NJ working for an Energy company. So now I have my studio finally set back up and I have been trying to get the motivation to get back started with it. It’s hard because like I said he was my biggest fan. I know in my heart that he would want me to do it. So I just wanted to thank you for the absolutely wonderful job that you do, and hopefully I will continue on what my husband knew in his heart that I could do. Thanks. ~Jackie-N >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tribute

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Bluebell ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Pink Allium > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Flower and Rose Petal Beads for Someone Special

COVETED AWARD: Cindy, I was so surprised.. and pleased and humbled this morning when I saw your post. You are so kind to say such sweet things about me. To even mention me in the same sentence with these other famous polymer clay artists is an honor. I am so glad that you liked your heart, and to have you devote your entire post today to me is like winning a coveted award. Thank you for your support. Coming from you, a celebrity artist, is heart warming and motivating. Thank you again. ~Susan-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Hearts

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: The crackled gold leaf pendants are stunning! I SO appreciate the inspiration I find here. I hear my mom’s voice from childhood prodding me on… “Practice makes perfect!” Thanks, Cindy, for spotlighting artisans that point us in new directions. ~Bonnie-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Techniques

CAN’T SAY GOODBYE: To tell the truth, that rose has been eyed by several people with the desire to buy and I have told everyone: “I’m still not done looking at it, so I’m not selling it yet.” Actually, I have a problem selling a lot of my work… I’ve started to become attached to my little pieces and it’s very sad to see them go to a different home… very sad. ~Melinda-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry Making

FEELING BLESSED: Hi Darbi, I too would like to welcome you. This world needs more people just like you with such a loving and giving heart. I think you will feel quite blessed to have found this blog. Cindy and her husband have opened their wonderful talents and hearts up to all of us. Enjoy and grow with the rest of us. I send you many Uuuuuuggggggs (the painless hug). ~Peggy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Sculpey III Polymer Clay

FINGER NAILS: The sign of a true PC artist is short uneven finger nails with small bits of clay wedged under them. I have showered and gone to work to look down and see some thing that looks like dirt under my nails, and had to explain to the other person why it’s there. Guess that is one way to market our products!! ~Anna-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

HOOKED ON CANES: I have to tell you this story, you will appreciate it. Several years ago when I started with polymer clay and learned to make canes my husband told the dog to hide her bones or I would start covering them with clay since I was covering everything else I could get my hands on. A friend came over one day when I was working on some things and she wanted to know about the clay. He told her “Be careful now, the first cane’s free!” making the reference to how drug dealers pull in their customers! I told him they put something in the clay that makes you keep going back for more! ~Cheryl-D >> This comment was originally posted here: How to Bake Polymer Clay

NOT PERFECT: I guess I missed this post when you first posted it. Maybe I missed it because I needed to read it tonight!!! Tonight is December 19th, and there are only just a few days left until Christmas. I had planned for months on making some Christmas gifts using my polymer clay, but as yet have not. I have TONS of ideas, but have not executed even one of them for Christmas gifts yet. It is because I have that fear that you refer to here. It is so much easier to just keep reading your posts than to actually sit down and start a project. I have the fear that what I try to make won’t turn out and I will be disappointed, and then, of course, the person who might receive the gift will be disappointed too! I have this problem when it comes to my oil painting as well. OK…tonight is the night. I am going to put my fear aside, sit at my table and begin to create without so much judgment of myself and what I will create. I will keep reminding myself of what Sam (above) reminded me of tonight… “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure.” Cindy and Sam, I’m shaking in my boots (or slippers :)!!!) But I will proceed…and I will honor myself by making these pieces, and give my polymer clay projects as Christmas presents as I told myself I would months ago!!! Thank you for this post, and the reminder that I don’t have to be perfect, and that I just need to do it!!! (and have fun while I do it!!!) :) ~Cindy-E >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Making Tips

LIVE DEMOS: Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. I had not thought about creating something specifically to go along with the theme of the craft fair, good idea. I also thought along the same lines of doing a demo at a booth, but wondered if other artists did the same for polymer clay. I mean I see a lot of beaders working on their projects at their booths, so why not work on some canes while you’re selling at a booth. Wonderful experience for your daughter and you must have felt pretty blessed to share it with her. ~Lupe-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Craft Fairs Selling Jewelry

COFFEE BEANS: What perfect timing for this story. I have been all of those things but mainly coffee. This comes to me at the right time, I am hoping that I can reprint this for my daughter – in – law who needs to find out what she is really made of. So that she can figure out how to make herself happy. Thank you for all of the support you give to all of us, Cindy. Many many blessings will come your way. ~Illaya-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Mother Daughter Story

EVEN MY HUSBAND CAN SEE: Thank you Cindy yet again for all you do! I myself got started with polymer clay after getting my daughter one of those children’s craft “Klutz” books which features Sculpey clay. As camp nurse/crafts person at our scout camp, I had the kids making stuff with it. Most of it was never properly conditioned (didn’t even know you needed to do that) and thus broke after baking. Gradually I got more and more interested in the art and have been making various beads with my clay of choice, Premo. I’ve even sold a few pieces. Thanks to you and other resources on the web and books, even my husband can see I’ve come a long way! ~Maria-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Jewelry Fimo Clay

POLYCLAY BLISS: Hmmm….why do I make beads…? All of the reasons above and then some! Hahaha! Because its fun, and addictive. You cant make just one you know. Because I love to wear and give handmade gifts. Because I love to challenge myself to make things I’ve seen and can’t afford. Because I looove the compliments I get about my handiwork. But most of all, I make them to sell and support my bead habit (among others) LOL. And to prevent hubby from throwing an eyebrow out of joint at the register in Michaels, hee hee hee. Used to be he would sigh heavily and part the wallet to pay for my meager few hundred beads and findings. But happily, today I can whip out my own “pin” money, and pay for my own blocks of colorful polyclay bliss. And that feels really good. Now all I have to explain is why dinner isn’t ready, because I got “inspired” again! XOXO ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Reasons For Making Polymer Clay Beads

POLYMER CLAY PEACE ON EARTH: Thanks, Cindy! I appreciate the help, and I’m glad I’m able to help you in this small way. My hope is that someone will find cute projects like this and it beckons them into the polymer clay world. That’s great for all of us! PC is such a wonderful medium, but it still has a long way to go before the average person recognizes what it is. I’m always amazed when I meet someone who says, “Polymer what?” (or something to that effect.) I’ve embarrassed my family several times by whipping out a cane for guests, wanting to show everyone the cool reduction properties of polymer (don’t worry, I don’t do it at dinner or anything…) Actually, people are pretty impressed (it’s just that my family gets a bit tired of MY polymer addiction…) I long for a day when every man/woman/child is familiar with PC and its fantastic artistic properties. What a happy, beautiful world that would be! Hehe — Polymer Peace on Earth! ~Phaedrakat >> This comment was originally posted here: Dog Tags Jewelry for Boys

SHARING OF IDEAS: Great! I love all color recipes! The more, the better. And these look beautiful. Thanks Carrie. I have a lot of Sculpey and now I know more of how to mix it. And thanks to you too Cindy, for allowing Carrie (and everyone) to share with us on your site! ~Maureen-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Color Mixing Recipes

CONTAGIOUS: Love your Jupiter and Disc beads. What a fabulous job you’ve done [Melinda] and the photography! You’re certainly on your way and your excitement is contagious! Can’t wait to get going on a group of like beads. Continued success to you and thanks for sharing. ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jupiter Beads

MEET-UPS: Just wanted to wish all you folks across the pond the very best of times when you have your Polymer Clay Tutor get together. It sounds like so much fun! Please take pics and share results with us here. It will motivate us to sponsor some regional get togethers here too. ~Jocelyn-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay in the UK

STRUGGLES: Polyanya, I couldn’t get to my computer yesterday and so didn’t have an opportunity to add my compliments on your beautiful work in a timely manner. These beads are absolutely lovely and when finishing here I am heading to my craft room to try the faux raku using marbled scrap clay. It’s nice, too, to hear of others’ struggles when trying a new technique – sorta gives one the push to keep going. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Faux Raku Polymer Clay

BLOWN AWAY: I also love the warm community of “poly clayers” out there. Several years ago I started making beads for jewelry and ordered some little spacer beads from Karen Lewis in CA, AKA “Klew” and was blown away when she gave me some great advise over the phone… and she didn’t even know me!! Then I found Cindy’s website. Wow, I love all the wonderful information and experience she shares with us out here. Thanks so much. ~Michele-N >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

SPOTLIGHT: Thanks all for the kind comments folks, it is really appreciated. Most of all, thanks to Cindy for a great website, inspiration and for this spotlight feature. I look forward to showing off more of my work and the techniques I have learned here. ~Rob-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Rock Tumbler

THE DENTIST: I have found polymer clay tools can be expensive like any craft so I’m always looking for items I can use in their place. The last trip to the dentist I decide to ask them if they had any instruments they couldn’t use anymore, I told them I worked with polymer clay, she said she would check, when she came back she handed me 11 different tools!! WOW I felt like a hit the jack-pot! So many different tips all perfect for claying. :) ~Jeanne-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutorials

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Red Brick Path ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Soft Kisses > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Design and Make Your Own Personalized Polymer Clay Bead Caps

NO SECRETS: Phaedrakat, you are so right about some people who are not willing to share their knowledge. It seems here that just about everyone WANTS to share their secrets and their ideas and solutions. And most give great feedback and encouragement. When I see someone give  “a pat on the back” to a fellow artist it makes me feel inspired. I have learned so much more than how to play with my clay here. I have learned we all have a great support team and my hat goes off to Cindy!! ~Catalina >> @Catalina: Yes, Cindy has brought us all together at this great site. It has inspired me to clay again … I didn’t think it could be done! Even when I can’t clay, I can come here and see people exchanging ideas and helping each other with their tips and tricks and it’s a great thing to see. Lots of others are very “tight-lipped” about their processes. No help with them (unless you pay a BIG price!) Here, the friendly blog and advice are free. Cindy’s great video tutorials are nearly free. I mean, $3.32 a month is incredibly low! ~Phaedrakat >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

SPOTLIGHT: Beautiful Sarah. What a great idea and so thoughtful! Love the colors too, so unique. I love the inspiration I get from this site. ~Dawn-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Cowboy Wedding

NEW MEMBERS: Alexa – Welcome to the best blog/learning site there is for polymer clay and jewelry making! It’s a great community where there are always answers for your questions… Hello from Midland, Michigan, USA. ~Lisa-W >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry

SO MUCH LOVE: As I sit here reading all the replies, with tears in my eyes. I just can’t imagine how you must feel. Having never been married, your loss must be tremendous. I lost my father and thought my life was over. That was 22 years ago. A very dear friend said to me that my father’s time here on earth was over and that God had another assignment for him. It sounded kind of dumb at first however that saying has gotten me through many loses in my life. I feel comfort knowing that my loved ones are helping Him out somehow. I am so proud to be involved in a group with so much love. I can feel it through the screen. Jackie, as you start your new chapter in life, remember your Vance will always be with you. When you feel a little breeze against your cheek and realize there isn’t any wind, it just might be Vance giving you a kiss. Keep creating your beads. They are beautiful. May God bless you and give you strength. ~Linda-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Loving Memory Beads

NICHE MARKETS: Not to hog your blog hon, but to comment on two of your articles above. I totally agree with the niche marketing tips and the custom made items articles you wrote. Until recently that accounted for almost 100% of my sold items. I used to sell my jewelry in a dance club where my husband was a bouncer, that served a predominantly gay clientele. I had great success making jewelry themed around the different niches within the gay community, and also themed to some of the special event parties they had several times a year. I always made sure they understood that I accepted special requests too, and even made jewelry to match outfits for several of the “Drag Queens” featured there as entertainment. (Which they were always kind enough to mention in their acts.) And I always made sure to donate items for all of their charity events. As a result I passed out a zillion business cards over the course of a couple of years, and I still get calls for special requests and gift items. XOXO ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Clay Beads

RETIREMENT CUSHION: I started out just trying to support my clay addiction but now I’m working toward retirement. I’ll turn 60 next year and thanks to the recent financial crisis, my retirement cushion isn’t quite as padded as it was before that. So now I’m looking at growing a business that will help to supplement my retirement. It was a great feeling to sell that first polymer clay piece. I had been painting and selling for years but this was a totally new adventure. But the clay reached out and grabbed me and I get a lot of joy out of creating something really cool! Now all you have to figure out how to do is turn those gift receivers into customers!!! ~Arlene-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Faux Raku Polymer Clay

LEARNING FROM EVERYONE: Thanks to all of you that add your comments to Cindy’s instructions. I find that I am learning alot from all of you too. ~Catherine-R >> This comment was originally posted here: Alcohol Inks for Polymer Clay

EXCHANGING IDEAS: I agree with Jocelyn. Your flower cane is fantastic and the graffiti beads were fun… in fact. I’m going to make key chains for all the nurses charts at work with the graffiti design so we can quickly tell them apart. Thank you for the fabulous ideas, the wonderful instruction, igniting our creative muse, and the place where we can all communicate and exchange these ideas. ~Melinda-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Graffiti Beads

SHOW AND TELL: Hi Phoenix – Just love your butterfly. The colour is so brilliant, love the white on blue. Really stands out. As you say, Cindy’s clear steps make it easy for us to take it and make it our own. Keep up the good work. Love. ~Elizabeth-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Butterfly Theme Jewelry

CLAY DREAMS: Like so many others, I too have “dipped my toes” in other craft mediums but I always go back to my faithful clay. I guess for me, I feel like once you know how to wood burn, for example, you can burn all kinds of things on wood. Same with glass etching, you can etch all kinds of glass. With my clay, I can make vases, jewelry, little food and little people and…oh my gosh…the list goes on forever. The possibilities are endless. Not to mention all the help out there. But no one need to look any further than our bestest friend in the whole wide world….Cindy. You are the best teacher and friend a clayer could ever ask for. You make everyday a “Clay Day”. And, I know what it is like to lay in bed at night and dream about clay. Just the other night, I woke up all excited because I had a dream my husband bought me the “dream machine”. With motor! Does anyone know what I am talking about? You have to check this thing out! Well….after my husband saw how excited and happy I was and then how crushed to find it was only a dream, he actually wanted me to pull it up on the website so he could see how much it was. Like I said….It was indeed a dream. But you never know! ~KlayKisses >> This comment was originally posted here: Passion for Polymer Clay

MAKING IT YOUR OWN: Fantastic, I love how creative everyone is! And Cindy must be so proud of her students taking her ideas a step further as well. :) ~Silverleaf >> This comment was originally posted here: Creative Picture Frames

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Melinda, I am a day late in reading this blog. Life just kept me very busy yesterday. I love “Spotlight” and so happy to see you again. I think I will use the word “EXTRAORDINAIRE” to compliment all the “fabulous” that has been written already. I love all your work, your cala lilies are so beautiful, as well as all your other items. These surely give inspiration. I’d like to lock myself away with my clay. Turtles are a favorite and yours calls to me so will have to try my hand at that soon. Many thanks for taking the time to share and continued success, you are a true artist! ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Making Projects

INSPIRING ADVICE: Melanie, thank you so much for asking that question about the bead maker. This spiraling happened to me, and just put it away thinking production bead making was not in my future, lol.  Thanks to the great advice here, I think I see the problem, and am going to dig mine out and try again. Cindy, one more reason why your site is invaluable to folks that work with polymer clay…. the feedback and great advice. So appreciated. ~Jocelyn-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

IOWA MEET-UP: Really pretty work. I bet your injury was very painful. It is so great when people put their location by their name. I noticed you are from Cedar Rapids. I am from Des Moines, Iowa. I met Chris D through this site, she is from Indianola. Is there a clay group in your area? We have a small group of that meet once a month, you are welcome to attend. Cindy has a sister in law in Fairfield and I am trying to convince her to come for a visit… just not in the winter. ~Anna-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Meet Ups

TOKENS OF FRIENDSHIP: Good morning, Cindy, Whoever gets this ornament will treasure it I’m sure. It’s beautiful and so unique. I love the idea of a bead swap, and would love to participate or even orchestrate if someone who has done it can tell me how to go about it. My recommendation though would be to take Silverleaf up on her offer to orchestrate if she is still willing. Silverleaf, I appreciate your concerns about postage. I can’t imagine that postage costs would be prohibitive, but you are right, it is an issue. Maybe others have thoughts or experience in how to address the costs. For me, it would be the coolest to have our beads traveling to all parts of the world — little tokens of the friendship generated here at the site (just my somewhat sappy opinion). I don’t know how many countries are represented now, but it seems like the number is growing all the time. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Swap

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Jackie, you are such an inspiration. Reading about your sad, sad loss makes me stop and take time to really appreciate the love and support I have from my husband and family and to not take any of it for granted. Your work is really beautiful and it is wonderful to see you making such lovely jewelry. I look forward to seeing more of your polymer clay beauties – thank you for the gift of sharing your story with us. Sending you huge and warm hugs from the cold North! ~Linda-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Coping with a Sad Loss

LACE TEXTURE MEMORY BEADS: Carolyn, what a lovely way of remembering your wedding day. When I saw this technique, I thought of my grandma right away. I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t crocheting, embroidering or sewing. It would be a wonderful way to honor her memory, using either remnants of lace from her sewing or items she created by hand. The pieces could make meaningful gifts for family too. ~DJ >> This comment was originally posted here: Lace Texture Polymer Clay Jewelry

TEAMWORK: Cindy, request alert!  Cherie described her dilemma getting the right look with pink/orange/salmon and green beads she was attempting, Carolyn identified the stone Cherie was faux-ing (!) as, not jasper, but unakite and Sue F. suggested methods of getting the result Cherie was after with her square beads by grating the clay and other clever moves. Talk about teamwork -  wow! Seeing the unakite cab on Carolyn’s site was a revelation – such a beautiful stone.  Cindy, would you put that on your growing list of how-to-faux?  Grateful thanks as always, ~Mary-U >> This comment was originally posted here: Hollow Polymer Clay “Puffy” Beads

SO FAR AWAY: Opals are my mom’s birthstone and she had a beautiful expensive one given to her by her uncle (who worked on a ship) from Africa. She lost it many years ago but also talked about it. I saw the ring once. I am going to make her an opal pendant or earrings as her fingers are now swollen with arthritis and she also had a stroke two years ago. She still loves to wear earrings so I think that’s what I’ll do and send it to her. She lives with Dad in India so far away – I miss them. ~Cheryl-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Tutorials

SO INSPIRED: That turtle is just too cute, so adorable and quite unique. I love the necklace also. Everyone has so much talent in this community. I am so jealous but only in a good way I promise. Hats off to all the talent everyone has shared. Oh so inspired by all. Uuuuuuuggggs. ~Peggy-B >> This comment was originally posted here: Spliced Flower Cane Polymer Necklace

HARD TO LET GO: Catalina, I know exactly what you mean. We work so hard at our pieces that they actually become our “children”.( I was thinking, polymer is harder than “other” jewelry in that we take such a long time to make the beads themselves, then we have to string them in a pleasing pattern. Others just buy ready made beads so they skip that step. Sometimes I think all my energy has gone to making the beads and the important putting together of the piece is a last minute hasty event! My girlfriend wants to see me today about purchasing a pendant I had made and I don’t want to meet with her because I love it so much !!! Not good if you want to make this your side business, eh? Ideally I would like to make 2 of each kind – one for me, one to sell – but what a lot of work!!! ~Maria-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Turquoise

OFF THE DEEP END: Carole, I got into making jewelry and working with polymer clay about the same time you did and for the same reason. I retired four years ago this month. I had always loved crafting (scrapbooking, quilting, sewing etc) but I was looking for something different to do after I retired. I took a class at AC Moore (beaded bracelet) and as you said…the rest is history! I couldn’t stop making things and buying beads. I found that there was actually beads stores in the world!! And quite a few in NJ, where I live. I did not know anything like that existed before.  I started taking classes and loved every minute of it. I would dream about what I would make the next day when I woke up. And couldn’t wait to get out of bed in the morning. I soon had so much jewelry I didn’t know what to do with it all. (The funny thing is I only wear earring and rings so I wasn’t getting any use out of bracelets and necklaces, but I kept making them! lol). A cousin of mine, who knew “I had gone off the deep end” asked me why I kept spending money on beads and making “stuff” and I told her “I just couldn’t stop”. She offered to take my “wares” to her job (I am the worst salesman in the world, so I never sold anything myself). She sold everything and they were asking her for more! I was only making costume jewelry, nothing expensive and I sold sets of bracelet and earrings for about 10- 15 dollars. It kept me in bead money and class money and then I didn’t feel guilty about going to bead stores 2 -3 times a week. Otherwise I could not have kept up my hobby, living on a pension. I’m not sure I have ever broke out even. But I am happily making jewelry for the past 4 years and I have 3 other people who take my things to work and sell for me just so I can earn my bead money!  lol (I give them a percentage of what they sell in free jewelry so they are very happy, because they used to buy my things before anyway). So if it ever gets to the point where you are asking yourself “why do I keep making jewelry” maybe you should start selling it. Even if you don’t need the money you could earmark a charity to give all your earnings to. And you would get even more enjoyment out of beading! BTW Your work is beautiful and would easily sell. ~Maureen-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Clay Jewelry

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Forget-Me-Not ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Tickseed Flower > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Mushroom Bead Shape with a Colorful Sculpted Flower On Top

WONDERFUL CLAY ARTISTS: Cindy, you are awesome, thanks for the quick response. I am really looking forward to enjoying your course and I don’t feel that you are self-serving. You are so giving with all your knowledge. You see, I have been reading lots of your blogs and love all the comments of others. What a wonderful group of clay artists interacting and sharing experiences. I hope to be able to share in the future. Thanks again. ‘Till later… ~Joyce-M >> This comment was originally posted here: Storing Polymer Clay

MOTOR ON: You’re funny, Cindy. Not have a motor. Hahahahah! I think polymer clay crafting is for the individual to make their own and I love how you always, consistently consider both sides to relevant topics. As someone who always looks for ways to make new projects possible without a high cost, I agree, the motor is not “necessary”. As someone who has worked with a roller, upgraded to a pasta machine and now uses a motorized pasta machine (a gift from my Matsuka), I LOVE it and schedule my motoring around the needs of my family. I also use an ipod to drown out the noise. Again, not necessary but completely adored. :) ~Shannon-L >> This comment was originally posted here: Pasta Machine Motor

INSPIRED BY NATURE: What a beautiful tree!! In a way it reminds me of the river birch tree in our back yard with its peeling bark. I love the way you incorporate your love of nature into your art work….. very inspiring.. you are a true artist. ~Bonnie-J >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Color Recipes

NEW INSPIRATION: So good to meet you “in person,” Cindy! Through your voice I feel like I know you but with this video you’ve become a person as well as a teacher. May I say (as someone who gave everybody fimo pieces for Christmas in the 80′s), you’ve inspired me to a whole new art form. I’m not really a bead maker, but your videos have encouraged me towards really creative uses of polymer clay. I’ve now got my pasta machine (what a difference!), my Johnson’s Klear (yes, it’s here and it does work) and a whole new approach to earrings, rings and tealight holders. (Still struggling with that Dremel, though!). Keep up the great work! ~Lore-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Artist

BLESSINGS: Thanks so much Cindy for sharing your knowledge; you’re a wonderful teacher and a really sharing warm, person. You get people like that lady who I think are really envious’ of what you do. I’ve really experienced that too last week in fact. It can get really cruel out there sometimes.  Bless her Cindy and you will receive blessings. ~Cheryl-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Beads & Beading & Polymer Clay

LEARNING EVERY DAY: Wow … Thank you soooo much guys for all your kind words. Makes me wanna hug each and every one of you. I love Art and I am learning more everyday from each and every one of you too — Cindy I can’t thank you enough for everything u been teaching us. And thanks for your suggestion about the [Rose Bead] cane I will definitely try that:) ~Tania-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Rose Pendant

SAVING TIME: I love it. I work on my clay after the kids go to bed at night, so this will help me cut my blending times down especially when I am experimenting. Plus I have a hungry pasta machine, so I will be able to keep most of my clay for me and less for my p.m.  Thank You!!! ~Barbs >> This comment was originally posted here: Lietz Teardrop Method Polymer Clay Color Blends

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: This is darling! My brother absolutely loves spiders, I see a project coming on! *grin* …and I always have a little spider placed on my Christmas tree, no matter how small or large the tree is, been doing it since I was a child, I have even carried around the same little homemade spider for many years now, though the poor little dear has become quite fragile. Maybe this year I will retire him with one of these little beauties *smile* ~SusanAnn-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Spider Jewelry

POLYMER CLAY PROFILE: I am SO excited to find you! Thanks for adding me to your faves, I’ve done the same. Clay has been next on my experiment list for weeks now – in fact, I’ve been researching books. I think I’ll wait, though, until I’ve had a chance to peruse your lovely site. I, too, am a middle-aged with 2 kids, married 20 years to my best friend and soul mate for life. (love your profile:) Thanks again! ~Patti-E >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Trumpet Flower Beads

MEN: Bravo Cindy! How often does it seem like polymer clay is more for us girls making jewelry and knicknacks. I like the fact that men can be included in receiving gifts from the polymer world too! Of course, I would love a clock like this in my home too. :) ~Maria-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Faux Turquoise Polymer Clay

RECOGNITION: What a fun idea!  When I see the numbers I envision making a plaque for the entry way with our house numbers, or how nice it would be to make an awards plaque for a volunteer using the numbers to represent the years of service, you could do this for a wedding anniversary with a picture or birth announcement. So many possibilities, so little time! :) ~Jeanne-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Scrapbook Embellishments

FEELING PROUD: Ken, I have the opposite problem. I have been very artistic in every media since I was 3.  So, everyone assumes that if it was handmade, I made it. I would love to buy other peoples art work and enjoy their views on the world around them but, it would confuse my family and friends. “Did YOU make that?” Is what I would hear and I would have to confess, “No, but isn’t it amazing?” Most would then lose interest or feel uncomfortable. Or say, “YOU could do THAT and why don’t you try it…” I would feel guilty because I did not make it. (crazy, huh?) And I don’t want to replicate others ideas. I know what it feels like to have others “steal” your work. I don’t feel it is a “honor” to have other take your work and pass it on as theirs. (As I was told by a teacher when my work was taken by another student.) So, take pride in what YOU make! Be honored to have such talent to brighten our world. And take the credit for your talents! :) ~Catalina >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Artists

WHY MAKE BEADS: Hey Cindy, great question. I started making polymer clay beads and continue to, because I always found myself looking at a piece of jewelry and saying “I could do that”. Especially if it was an art piece that I felt I couldn’t afford. I can afford polymer clay and just love the feeling I get when someone exclaims “You made that??” It’s a great feeling.  So for me projects that are one of a kind, for me to wear are what I am looking for. Thanks. ~Susan-K >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Clay Beads

QUILTS & BEADS – A PERFACT MATCH: Thanks for your comment on my quilting blog, and for leading me to your site. I am totally amazed and inspired by your work! ~Elizabeth-A >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Cane Inspiration

WILL NEVER GET BORED: I feel that way too, Sherry, when I see certain artists’ work… One of our guild members put a couple of Jon’s pieces up on our Bring n’ Brag table for all of us to enjoy – which we did, immensely. I also feel that way when I see K. Dustin’s purses. In fact, I feel that way when I see any piece of art that grabs my heart and touches my soul, no matter the medium. I love polymer clay because it’s the first art medium I haven’t grown bored with because there are just too, too many things you can do with it. Don’t hang your head, Denise… I think it’s nice that you work in both! ~Mary-V >> This comment was originally posted here: Fimo Polymer Clay

BROUGHT HER PASTA MACHINE ON A CRUISE: Dear Cindy, Let me preface this story by thanking you for your commitment to those of us who are passionate about polymer clay. I feel that I have been given a gift with this site and that already my skills have improved significantly with availability of the videos, recipes, blogs etc. I had an experience this past week that I would like to share. My husband and I went on a cruise that included several days at sea. Thinking that this would be a perfect opportunity to practice new pc skills I packed accordingly. Yes, I even took my pasta machine (which resulted in confiscation of the suitcase it was in until I could satisfy the ship’s security team that it was perfectly reasonable to bring a pasta machine on a cruise). You can imagine that conversation. Fortunately, I had stopped short of toting my oven although I had seriously considered it. Imagine that conversation! Anyway, part of my plan was to make a bunch of faux pebble beads but lo and behold, I forgot to pack my grater. The solution? My newly purchased “pedi-egg” (no I hadn’t yet used it on my feet). The grater intended for removing callouses is super sharp and so grates the clay easily and the container part holds the shavings without mess. An added bonus is that replacement graters can be purchased as necessary. One recommendation to those who may try this would be to empty the shavings from the container frequently. If it gets too full the clay gets pressed together and lumps. Anyway, I’m certain that I am not the first to think of this but it proved to be the answer to my dilemna. Cindy, again my thanks for sharing your skills and experience. Sincerely. ~Elizabeth-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Instructions

WEEKLY VIDEOS ON THE GO: Being retired, each day seems like a vacation to me although I seem to be busier now than when I had a day job. I rarely take my Rolling Studio (wheeled 20″ carry-on I use for guild meetings and workshops with clay, pasta machine, cutters, molds, stamps, inks and acrylic work surface) on my trips to the Gulf Islands. I do always take my laptop so I can read your blog and get my weekly videos. ~Lawrence-S >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beads

GRANDMA’S PORCELAIN ROSES: OHHHHHHH!!!!! You’ve been batting a thosuand recently. WOW! Again I can’t wait until Friday. I watch these videos initially during lunch at work. I could see these being made larger into sculptures like capodimonte and even other flowers. My grandmother had a porcelain set of items in her bedroom when I was a child that had the flowers on them, as time went on things got broken and trashed, there is only one piece left, a little vase, and even that has a portion of one of the roses broken off where it fell over. ~Ken-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Sculpted Rose Beads

BEADS THAT MAKE A STATEMENT: I just started beading a couple of months ago – but I knew immediately that I wasn’t happy with what I was making and it was because it just wasn’t me. I wanted beads that ‘said something’ and it was obvious that they weren’t available. Flipping through a beading magazine one day I came across a bracelet that a mother and daughter team had made out of mokume gane. It impressed me enough to make me stop and take a closer look. I knew right then and there that I needed to be making my own beads so that I could make my own statement. ~Aims >> This comment was originally posted here: Beads for Jewelry Making

LIGHTBULB MOMENT: Love this!!  My own daughter is a bookworm. She’s in her late 30′s now and has been a reader all her life. I didn’t think to make her one of these when I saw the lesson but seeing yours has made a lightbulb go off in my head. Thanks! It is such a great idea with her name in beads. I am really getting into PC now with all the ideas I am seeing come to life. I love it!! Great job Arlene! ~Maureen-G >> This comment was originally posted here: Hammered Copper Wire Hookmark

SO AWESOME: Hi Dora, just wanted to say you’ve inspired me to make some more k’scope canes since yours are so awesome! Mine aren’t perfect but I like them anyway. :) Time to practice I think! ~Silverleaf >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Cane Designs

SELLING YOUR JEWELRY AT WORK: I work at a law firm with over 100 “support staff” — most of whom love jewelry. I’ve sold quite a bit just by wearing something new and different. Plus some people just can’t find the right color of earrings to match their new outfit and know that I can pretty much match anything (grin). Those 30 plus years of mixing colors as a decorative painter are paying off! The same rules apply to mixing colors in clay. For instance today I have on a spring green sweater and I’ve made a cover for my id badge reel (have to have it to get around in the secured building) that has that spring green in it along with some purple, black and white. I made this one a couple of weeks ago and have already sold three that are similar designs since. Plus earrings and a bracelet for one customer. Christmas is always a good selling opportunity here at work and I keep a few things with me so that if somebody needs a last minute gift, they can come to me. I have always done — even back in the painting days — some sort of a dated Christmas ornament and those sell very well at the office too. Which reminds me, I need to start think about a design for this year. ~Arlene-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Jupiter Beads

IDEA SHARING: Hi Cindy: I love the back and forth sharing of ideas and suggestions on your site – it really adds to my toolbox of information. I too would like to know how to make these headpins in more detail. I find the idea of playing with fire very appealing (one of the things about me that scares my husband). I also love the look of the ball headpins and find them very difficult to find. I’m game for whatever you want to teach us. ~Carol-C >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry Projects

CAMARADERIE: I have been here for quite a while now, and have not been disappointed yet Cindy. So anything you want to do, just makes being here better and better for me. I love every minute of it I can get. Even when Im very busy I try to peek in every day. Just to take a breath and suck in some of the atmosphere of creativity and comraderie here. Hopefully one day I will be able to participate more when I have my own work space done. Until then you all keep me stoked and ready to go the second I am able! Couldn’t face a week without a Friday tute and color recipes either. So don’t ever stop!  XOXO ~Jamie-H >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Flower Cane Tutorials

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Rain ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Autumn Green > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Linking Polymer Clay Beads Together Using Wire Wraps and Loops

INSPIRATION: Personally, I love to sit down and go through all of the things I’ve already made. They make me feel like I’m really creative and actually inspire me to do something different. I enjoy looking back on canes that I did 3 months ago, and think about what kind of beads those would look good as. I also love looking through my boxes of non-handmade beads for colors and palettes that would be perfectly complimented by something I could make. And then there’s this website. It never fails that you have a tutorial or a blog on something that I’d be really interested about or inspired by. Thank you for your dedication to this site! I love it. ~Karrah >> This comment was originally posted here: Tips for Polymer Clay Artists

COMMUNITY: I just visited your store and want to add my compliments on your beautiful pieces. I don’t think I can pick a favorite – all are so lovely. As I read through everyone’s comments I was struck by Melinda’s reference to this site as “community”.  I think that in addition to the wonderful teaching Cindy provides for us, the opportunity to put our stuff “out there” in this supportive environment can’t help but make us better artists as we learn from and appreciate each other. Congratulations on getting your store up and running, Kim. It’s obvious from your quick sales that the world loves your work, and rightfully so. ~Elizabeth >> This comment was originally posted here: Home Jewelry Business

SUCCESS STORY: Glad to be back, I miss all your fun stuff. I’ve been working to get stuff on Etsy and get my blog up and teaching polymer clay to people here in Arizona. I have a new student that I’ve been working with and she’s absolutely amazed me. The first beads she made she put in a shadow box and decorated it to be a keepsake and now her husband is rebuilding a room for her to do polymer clay in.  I love it when that happens.  I sent her your url and told her to subscribe when got the chance because she would learn tons of great stuff. Thanks again for being there with great stuff, I’m glad to be back. ~Bonnie >> This comment was originally posted here: Soft Polymer Clay

BEAD GOES MISSING LIKE SOCKS IN DRYER: I made two of the textured roll up beads and put them in the oven with a number of others. When I took them out there was only one roll up bead. I looked everywhere and even dug around in the oven. I didn’t know that beads were like socks in the dryer – they just disappear. Oh, well, I suppose some day it will show up in some unusual place. ~Freda

Hello Freda. Were you maybe using translucent clay and it worked so well that it’s just invisible now? Sorry, I don’t mean to make light of your missing bead plight. Ugh! sorry bad rhyme too. (I was reading Dr Seuss to my grandson earlier and hes contagious!) Seriously though, I have never had this happen to me. I can’t even begin to imagine what might have happened to it. There are so many possibilities! Maybe it especially appealed to a passing gremlin and he couldn’t resist snitching it. Or perhaps when you cut it out you unwittingly created a mini bead-muda triangle and it is now in another dimension being looked at by another Freda who is wondering how she got an extra bead! Or it could be the aliens got tired of abducting socks to puzzle us and now they are moving on to beads! Did you check your oven for black holes? Do you have any trolls living nearby? They are notorious for stealing pretty things! Ok, ok, so maybe I can “imagine” a little too much. Hahaha! But if you do find out whatever happened to it, please let us know so we can all avoid losing beads in the future. XOXO ~Jaime >> The 2 comments above from Freda and Jaime were originally posted here: Rubber Stamp Textured Beads

THERE IS STILL HOPE: Yes, I’ve had my frustrations with the new formulas. Some of my softer brands I leach between paper, but find it is quite the waste of perfectly good paper. I now keep all sorts of paper and use the unprinted side for leaching, or will use a little blender to mix all my brittle clay with the too soft. Also mixing translucent clay with the mushy sometimes helps as it tends to be quite firm. Thanks to you, other readers here won’t have to feel all hope is lost…there is hope! ~Tina >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Polymer Clay Canes

GIVING BACK: I just saw a new tool for slicing the canes. It ran $95 US. But the idea which I saw done other ways than using the tool is to two “things” on either side of the cane leaving just what you want to cut off sticking up. Then pulling the knife through the clay keeping it resting on the sides so that the cut is even. I hope you can picture what I am trying to say. I also hope that I gave a tip that someone else could use. I hate to be absorbing all the great hints and not giving back. ~Marianne >> This comment was originally posted here: Clay Cane Slicing Techniques

NO MORE APOLOGIZING: I’m new to selling my jewelry and have found myself apologizing for my pieces or waiting for someone else to value that piece for me. No more! I like what Jamie said…”it got 100% of my skill and attention when it was made.” I won’t apologize anymore. Instead, I’ll say “Thanks for the opportunity to learn and grow as an artist while I worked on this piece!” That’s it! ~Angela >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Jewelry Projects

DIVING IN: What a great story! I’ve recently bought some supplies, but still haven’t tried my hand at it yet. But, now I’m really excited! I’m going to dive in this weekend!! ~Vickie >> This comment was originally posted here: Selling Jewelry On Etsy

SOMETIMES IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS: In one of your blogs, you talk about how one persons ugly/useless jewelry is another ones treasure. Well, I have been wearing a lot of my jewelry that I make to work. I have worn many a pendant tediously and carefully wire wrapped and baubles made with polymer clay that have been hand formed, sanded, buffed and coated with hours of work on every detail (as you well know). Most times I hear not a word about these treasures from my co-workers. So the other day I throw on a little trinket I absolutely threw together. It was some store bought brown/amber plastic rings with some facet cutting on them. Threw a cheap gold colored chain through the middle of them and hung them from my neck. 2 minutes tops on this one. And sure enough, I get a comment about how pretty/cool my necklace is. Go figure!!! LOL ~Laurel >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Making Tips

POLYMER CLAY PERSONALITIES: Singing Opera in a Biker Jacket. Curiosity. Like Potato Chips. Donnie & Marie. Giovani & Mozart. Powdered Wigs & Waistcoats. Denim & Leather. Discoverer. Dragnet Just The Facts Mam. Manly Look LOL. Hippy Chick. Sitting Outside With A Box. No longer just for hippies. Seriously Muahahahaha Trend. So Rockstar. Different Fun Twis. Coffee Brewing. Al Pacino Scent of a Woman. A Bead So Very You. ~Excerpts >> For the full story and some fun reading click here: Bead Style

SPEECHLESS: Cindy and all. Wow… I am speechless. Ask and you will receive in spades!! Thank you so much for all the creative ideas. Now if I only had more time to jump into the mountain. Yes Cindy I have decided to keep it, but if it starts to take over the house… ~Sam >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Projects

INNOVATIVE THINKING: Cindy, I would like to see a tutorial of them……… I was up last nite making pendants and remembered I bought these roller thingamajigs at the thrift store for baking.. thinking they must make pie crust strips or something. They roll like a mincer but have 4 blades. Anyway I pulled them out and tried using the smaller one where the blades are closer together. I got so excited! When you roll it across the clay it makes perfect strips to wrap around pendants! I see them all the time, I think people are getting rid of them because it’s another gadget in the drawer you just don’t need. But it works great for us! I hope if everybody looks they can find one two! ~MaryEllen >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Beaded Pendants

LANYARD MEMORIES: I discovered polymer clay a year ago, as a way to make candle holders for the beeswax candles I’m making. Now I can get out either candle making or polymer clay stuff, putting the other things on shelves. I have a 12 ft. x 14 ft. office, separate from the house, on top of a mountain at 9,000 ft. – now a little craft house. I just tried making refrigerator magnets with lots of my small flower and leaf canes, and they came out great. My best friend’s daughter just graduated from high school, and is making beaded jewelry from plastic beads. I’m hoping I can convince her to get in to polymer clay – maybe she could even make money that way! (She has no car and everything is so far away here in the mountains that she doesn’t have a job yet.)  So this morning I went to your web site after seeing your email, and saw the idea of a badge lanyard out of beads. I have to wear a badge at work (computer programming, for nearly 33 years) to get in the doors – how cool to have a lanyard out of beads I made! So now I’m going to start making beads. Thanks for introducing me to a whole new artistic medium!!! I’m off to read up everything I can find on your web site, and I have lots of flower and leaf canes still ready to go. By the end of the day I’ll have beads I made all by myself! I made braided lanyards as a kid, at a summer program at the elementary school, so the idea brought back great memories. This will be fun! Thanks for your wonderful web site! ~BetsyB >> This comment was originally posted here: Custom Beaded Lanyard ID Badge Holders

EXCHANGING IDEAS: I also agree with everyone else that packaging is important. I liked Judith’s idea about cutting her business cards in half.  I also order from vistaprint but had not thought about cutting the design in half.  Thanks for the tidbit Judith! Well, now I’ll have to order more and try that. I haven’t sold a lot of my jewelry yet, but I usually package my jewelry in the small gift boxes that they sell at the bead stores and I include my business card as well. ~Lupe >> This comment was originally posted here: Selling Polymer Clay Jewelry and Beads

TRY NEW THINGS: I enjoyed so much reading about your mom-daughter adventures! I think you are right about matching your products to audience and niche, sometimes it’s worth the effort of making new items and trying something new. Thank you for sharing this with us! ~Iris >> This comment was originally posted here: Selling Jewelry

MOMENT OF REALIZATION: This was a fun exercise and also very thought provoking.  It made me realize how fortunate and lucky I have been in my life. Thank you for taking me to that moment of realization. Now to continue the hunt for that recipe. ~Illaya >> This comment was originally posted here: Thanksgiving Wishes

EXTENDED FAMILY: Hi Cindy, Your “Polymer Clay Bead Making for Beginners Course” is exceptional. I can’t agree more with all those who have said what a great teacher you are. And the presentation of the material you cover is easy to understand. The lighting in your studio is beyond professional. I have tried to learn another subject through tv video and the quality you have just wasn’t there. So I have an experience to compare to and you have it all. I have learned so much and now the fun begins to be able to play with the clay and make things happen. Of course I will need to refer to the tuts and their being available 24/7 is such a plus, no waiting for the class to begin, it is only a click away. Also, your video library has so much more and I’m excited about trying out the recipe cards.  It is difficult at times to come away from your blog. All these artists who willingly share their talents also are wonderful. Its like an extended family in the clay world. Sometime I hope to be able to contribute an experience but for now I will be there with questions as I share this experience with my twin granddaughters who will spend their summer vacation here in sunny Florida. Thank you, Cindy. ~JoyceF >> This comment was received via email.

INTERNET FRIENDS: You have an awesome blog/site too!  I agree–it’s so wonderful to meet like-minded and incredibly talented/interesting folks on the internet.  How inspiring!?!! ~BetsyC >> This comment was originally posted here: Fossil Shell Beads

TALES FROM RUSSIA: Cindy: thank you for the wonderful idea of this posting and for the chance to discuss it internationally! :)  @squash: I know what you are telling about, nobody ever seems to understand millefiori. Even if they understand after a long explanation :) they ask: “why take pains and do all this stuff instead of just painting?” 8)  @Janine: “Artist clay” sounds good but not in Russian, I am afraid. Besides, then it resembles “art clay” which is completely different thing  @Lindsay: those who know all about it understand the brand-names, those who don’t, in any case require explanation, after which they call it plastic. This is just a matter of attitude towards man-made materials in general and polymers also  @Maria: Thank you for your wonderful ideas!) ;)  @Everyone: the problem, as I see it, is not in the word (or finding the right word) but in people’s perception. Besides, polymer clay is a new medium, very attractive and giving good quick results (compared to usual clay or lampwork or whatever that takes much more time and effort). That is why many people try it for just having fun. We have a joke in Russian that only the laziest haven’t tried to make orange slices.  So people see these funny-made-by-everybody-designs and don’t treat polymer clay seriously. So my idea is to rise the level of artiness :) (if I can call it so), that is the quality of idea, design, of the beads themselves. And it was really a pleasure “talking” ;) to all of you! ~Larissa >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay In Russia

HARMONY AND PEACE: You are such a kind, loving, and warm spirit.  You continue to enrich our lives daily.  I, too, feel like you are a long time, good friend, and I enjoy “the time we spend together” as I learn from you each day.  I wish you, your husband, and your children much love peace and harmony! Happy Valentines Day!!! :) Hugs and smiles to you. ~CindyE >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Heart Pendant

MISTAKES ARE OK: One thing I really like about the PC community is the passion and willingness to share experience. Cindy, I really like it when on your videos there may be a small error and your perception is the bead may be kinda cool like that. ~Anna >> This comment was originally posted here: Selling Handmade Jewelry

POSITIVE ADDICTIONS: Interested to hear from others and their experiences with this moisture issue. Please share!!! I love the process of experimentation with polymer clay. We each seem to have unique techniques and experiences, and reading the comments here at Cindy’s site has become an addiction in the last couple of months. For that alone, I cannot thank Cindy enough. ~Jocelyn >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Techniques

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: Thanks again for everything!  I love the spotlight you did for me. I just sat there crying as I read all the wonderful comments!  My mother was very proud too!! ~Marsha >> This comment was received via email.

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Black Violet ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Mystic Morning > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Dogwood Flower Polymer Clay Cane Project Using Fall Color Scheme

DON’T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF: Cindy, You are so right about hushing our minds. Sometimes we must see our work through others eyes. I had been experimenting with pinata inks on focal beads trying to create a watercolour technique. I made a bead that I thought was hideous and threw it to the side of my table,discouraged yet again. My friend came over the other night, pointed to it, loved it wanted it strung as a necklace and saw it as a true piece of wearable art. She owns her own hair salon, and with confidence wore that art necklace all day receiving many compliments on the beauty of it. One persons trash, another’s treasure!! Another lesson learned. Thanks. ~Sam >> This comment was originally posted here: Confident Polymer Clay Artists

FRIENDS FOREVER: Dear Cindy, You are simply amazing!!!  I am so very grateful to have found you and your website.  You have certainly enriched this past year of mine!!!  I have learned so much from you, and have had so much fun along the way.  You are great teacher, and a terrific person to know.  I consider you a friend. I will continue to be a loyal reader and student for as long as you are here.  I am excited about all of the new techniques and projects that I will be learning from you.  You are a gem, a precious gem. For suggestions: I would like to learn more about using different mediums with polymer clay, such as mica powders, alcohol inks, stamps, resin, and other mediums.  I am sure there are many other ways of using polymer clay in conjunction with other mediums that I am just not thinking of yet.  Thank you so much for a fantastic year, 2008, and I look forward with excitement to what this coming year of 2009 has to offer.  I wish a blessed New Year to you, Cindy, your husband, and both of your beautiful children!!!  Your Friend. ~CindyE >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay 2009

A SPECIAL COMMUNITY: I’ve seen the carrots, egg, or coffee beans story many times.  But, Cindy E., you have lived the story and have enriched all our lives by sharing your story with us. Thank you and God bless you! A year ago I never would have thought that a blog community would become so special to me. Thank you Cindy L. for everything! ~Marsha >> This comment was originally posted here: A Mother Daughter Story

MAKING NEW FRIENDS OFFLINE: There was a comment on your site from Cindy Erickson, and I went to her website and we’ve been emailing back and forth – she lives near me and we have a lot in common, and hope to meet in person soon.  Thanks – you’ve introduced me to a new friend! ~Betsy >> This comment was received via email.

SERENDIPITY IGNITES A PASSION: I’m thrilled to have found your course! I had played with polymer clay for a short time a few years ago but set it aside. Your course has helped to ignite a passion, and I’m very grateful for the work you put into it, along with your blog and your library.   You see, I had a stroke in 2001. I’m okay physically, but the depression can really get in the way. One day in February was unusually warm, and I decided to go out and run a few errands (which is sometimes difficult when depression rears its head). I stopped by our local Barnes and Noble to have a cup of coffee at the café, and of course I had to find a magazine to read while enjoying the coffee. PolymerCAFE jumped out at me. Reading it caused me to feel something I hadn’t experienced in a long time – enjoyment! When I got home, I googled polymer clay, and found your course. Cindy, I’m hooked! I’m a rank amateur, but the passion is there.   This feeling – being passionate about something – is one I haven’t experienced in many years, and your work has played a big part. I simply cannot thank you enough. Serendipity is always such a wonderful surprise, and that’s what happened – the warm weather, the magazine, your course. I never expected any of them, but together they have set me on a course that I’m thoroughly enjoying.  What I love about your course (and your library videos) is your wonderful down-to-earth, chatting-with-a-friend attitude. Your depth of knowledge comes through, but it’s in a quiet way that I appreciate. It leaves me feeling encouraged, not intimidated (as many experts often make me feel). Thank you so much for being there! ~Linda >> This comment was received via email.

CREATIVE CYCLONE EFFECT: Yippee!! I cant wait! I just love to snoop in someone elses creative “arrangement”. And judging by the pic you mentioned, I’d say we have a lot in common. Right down to the fuzzy (light brwn here) robes! I find brown is the perfect color to cover all those little clay smudgies that get away, dont you agree? LOL! And a poet too! Sheww, that is uncanny. I write poems also, and in fact I havent bought a “Hallmark” card in forever. Everyone says they like mine better anyway, because they know they were written just for them. But, back to the studio, LOL. Its nice to see Im not the only one who thrives in a creative cyclone effect. To the untrained eye it looks like a horror set. But I know where everything is (or have a good idea anyways)I only really clean up once or twice a year to take inventory. That way I know what I need when the good sales come around. Then I hurry and mess it up again so I can get back to work Hahaha. As for clay at the PC? Not for now ‘sigh’. But when my new craft room is done? It will be right at the end of my work table on the rolling cart I got for it. I cant wait to be able to watch a tutorial and do it at the same time! Especially since I found your website. So many ideas! Gaaaahh! I need chocolate! Its the only thing that makes waiting for my “new” room bearable! Keep the good stuff coming Cindy! We love ya for it. XOXO ~Jaime >> This comment was originally posted here: Making a Basic Leaf Cane

CRACKED BEADS PROBLEM SOLVED: Wow, Jamie. I can’t believe how much you helped me. Without eyelets the beads were beginning to break in a day. With eyelets, I see no signs of the problem. I was really frustrated because I liked what I had made and they were falling apart. I switched to Premo since it is harder than Studio. I have used it before and like it but I had tried Studio because of the colors. I made my first batch of the eyeleted Premo beads last night and did not have your last comment yet so I baked the eyelets in the beads. Tonight after reading your comment, I popped the eyelets out and glued them. I also made another batch and glued those eyelets back in right away. Thanks, I really appreciate the help. ~Rosemary >> This comment was originally posted here: Jewelry Making Story

REACH FOR THE MOON: I have tried several canes and they have not worked well, but what the heck. Adventure is the name of the game, and try, try again is what we as clay artist should do. It’s like a runner going for 26 miles and hitting a brick wall at 24 miles. We need to push through it and when we do the feeling can be so high. So I say to all of you who want to quit. Reach for the the Moon and if you fall short, you are still among the stars. Cindy I so want to meet you, and thank you for helping all of us start our journey. ~Sandra >> This comment was originally posted here: Polymer Clay Canes

COURAGE OF A CHILD: I just loved this post! Thank you for the advise about preparing ahead of time and tailoring your product to fit the market. And for giving me something to look forward to with my own children. I can completely relate to Willow being naturally quiet and soft-spoken, shows are very difficult for me for this very reason. I admired her courage and maturity! ~Shannon >> This comment was originally posted here: Craft Fairs – Selling Jewelry

MAKING HANDMADE GIFTS : Cindy I’ve been making home made gifts since my son was 9 months old. He is 39 now! I have always been into crafts, I started out sewing then I started painting pictures (oils, then acrylics). Fell in love with crewel work. My grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet. Started a small company when the kids were older making country wooden items in the 70s. Then along came companies that made the same except cheaper and cheaply made. Anyway my family always loved handmade gifts. I hope that the economy will bring back that special meaning of someone giving something that they put their personal touch to. I start making gifts in the summer so there will be time for me to enjoy the holidays with my family and not be so stressed out running around looking for that last minute gift. This year for the first time, everyone finally agreed not to bring gifts to the family party for everyone and to just enjoy being with each other, remembering what the true meaning of Christmas is about and play catch up on what has been going on in everyones lives. There is 32 of us so you can imagine all these years all the stress of having something for everyone! I never had to worry , but everyone else did. I’m so happy they’re happy! Well I didn’t mean to rattle I just thought I’d share. Happy Holidays to everyone! And thank you again Cindy for sharing what you know. That is a special gift to me. ~MaryEllen >> This comment was originally posted here: Making Gifts With Polymer Clay Beads

ONE BIG POLYMER CLAY FAMILY: Great video! Thanks for sharing it with us. I do go to many sites just to see what artists are charging for their beads and pieces. She Beads makes wonderful beads. I agree with Anna, many artists from the Polymer Clay community are so willing to share their expertise. It’s like a family. ~Lupe >> This comment was originally posted here: Selling Handmade Jewelry

FIFTH WHEEL VACATION STUDIO: On the other side of the argument, I LOVE my motor and in fact, have more than one, LOL.  The noise doesn’t bother anybody at my house.  When I first got it, it was because I had had shoulder surgery, so I had an excuse for the first one, LOL.  Now I’m just spoiled. Plus, I am a caner and go through A LOT of clay. Although it still doesn’t bother me to use the crank, either, I just prefer the motor.  When we have a class or I have people over for a clay day, I choose not to use the motor, but when it’s just me, I use the motor exclusively, I wouldn’t want to be without it.  My second one is because I have a “mini studio” in our Fifth Wheel trailer for taking clay on vacation with me and my DH spoils me by not making me lug all the equipment back and forth. Hugs. ~Sue >> This comment was originally posted here: Pasta Machine Motor

NOBODY EVER PUTS ANYONE DOWN: Hi again, I commented earlier when I just joined at how very much I appreciated Cindy and now her husband at all the help she gave me with some problems I was having with pay pal when first becoming a member. This happened approximately 2 wks ago. Since I have ordered several of the back issues, and the begginers many videos. At first I thought the begginers might be just repeat of what I already knew “NOT” Much much more thanks to Cindy’s way with both polymer clay and teaching. You are a natural. I have learned so much more and I am constantly going back and re-watching videos picking up more even the 2nd time around. The only complaint I have is against myself for not doing this the moment I first heard about Cindy. I belong to a Polymer Clay guild due to health am unable to attend meetings but enjoy the blog information and chatting back and forth with members. Nobody puts anyone down. I also belong to other Internet sites with polymer clay free and paid for info. I love them all but none have come close to the information and suggestions that Cindy puts out there. I just can not imagine someone thinking she doen’t give this her all. You can tell she loves her work. Ask her and she will answer. Don’t ask her and she still answers. Polymer Clay brings out great things in many people. Super things in Cindy. I honestly think she is one of the best teachers I have ever been blessed enough to come across. I would love the chance to spend a few days in the shawdows of Cindy and her clay. If you ever hold Personal classes I want to be one of the first to know. If possible I am already there. THANK YOU CINDY AND YOUR HUBBY TOO!! Eager for more. ~Peggy >> This comment was originally posted here: Beads and Beading and Polymer Clay

HELPFUL COMMENTS PROVIDE QUICK ANSWERS: Hi, Cindy – Based on your video, I am now eagerly awaiting receipt of the Lortone 3a rock tumbler I just ordered one line. While I’m waiting, can you tell me where to get the river rocks you mentioned? Do you know if Michael’s sells them? Thanks >>> Oops! Sorry, I asked my question about river rocks without realizing that you had all made such helpful comments and answered my question (and more) already. Thanks ~Sherry >> This comment was originally posted here: Polishing Polymer Clay Beads

NEW BEST FRIEND: Cindy I love all the styles you come up with and they all seem to resonate with me, as with your reader/fans. I want to do it all and am constantly looking for new ideas and methods for my beads. They don’t have to be fancy or difficult, just different and fun! To create one’s own style can put you in a box, and I am always looking outside the box to find that different twist, to an already used or not concept. Curiosity, Research. and just awesome imagination is what it is all about! You Rock! and we all get to Rock along with you. Thank you for your dedication and wonderful sense of humor. I wake up each morning wondering what you will come up with today. Miss you on the weekends. LOL I always feel like you are my New Best Friend and I know you so well. Thank you for being you! ~Beverly >> This comment was originally posted here: Bead Style

EMOTIONAL PACKAGING: I cannot tell you how lovely it was to receive the package of Cindy’s beads. So intricate and meaningful.to me!!  Felt like it was my birthday! Opened the package in the community room in front of many elderly friends. Some business possibilities here…only they all adored the box, materials, note, and wrapping details…..they weren’t too sure about the “skeletor” (as one of them put it) beads. Ahahaha. Cindy’s effort also triggered a wonderful memory for me, one that I have cherished since. When my eldest niece was in second grade, her boredom in class led to many problems culminating with her teacher mandating she write a class apology (she deserved it). She was horrified and terrified. To take the sting out of it, I hauled out the “antique letter” approach. First we stained the paper with tea, then used old timey ink pens and print style to write the note. As a final touch, I showed her how to use a lighter to burn the edges of the letter. We rolled it up scroll style, and tied it similarly to the way Cindy tied the package, with just thin string, multiple wraps. Mr. Steve was suitably impressed. What I remembered and cherished most was the look of wonderment on this child’s face as we constructed the project, and how tightly this precious non-huggie child bear hugged me that nite before bed. Extra special moment for her Aunt and Godmother, I can tell you, and who knows if I would have ever recalled it if not for Cindy’s packaging. Thank you Cindy. For the memory so special, for the effort, for the art, and for you. Can’t wait to use those beads in the lanyard. They are spectacular, so perfectly finished. I am having trouble putting them down, they feel so soothing in the palm of my hands. Kudos, and much fondness, girl! ~Jocelyn >> This comment was originally posted here: Handmade Packaging for Handmade Jewelry and Beads

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Mermaid ** B-SERIES COLOR RECIPE (B): Rosita > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Ghost Polymer Clay Cane Designs that Float on Your Bead Surfaces

I agree with everything you said Marsha [reference to challennges with learning how to make canes]. But, I have a feeling Cindy will get us through it. ~Marianne @ Blue Gingham Polymer Clay Beads

Color mixing to me is like Christmas, the WOW! factor comes into play. Not knowing what the end result will be is half the fun. My end result is to work with learning how to cane. I would like to add dimension and design using color as the driving force to my work, is something I am striving for. The spaces of nature is forever changing and it can give you that one of a kind piece that no one else can duplicate. So if you want to WOW! Yourself everyday play with color. ~Sandra @ Polymer Clay Color Recipes

OOH OOH membership news, now I’m afraid to leave the computer, don’t want to miss out if numbers are ltd. Also cos of the time difference I will just have to use matchsticks to keep awake. Great box tip, as I have several of these just waiting to be filled and good to know that you don’t have to wrap [I couldn't make anything rhyme even if I tried-ha ha]. Going to friends tonight and I had asked for some claying stuff for my birthday, so getting excited [I am also looking forward to seeing them]. ~Andrea @ Polymer Clay Storage Boxes

I am in awe…Bren…your work is so beautiful! Cindy, you have to be beaming with pride for your part in Bren’s knowledge and work! I visited Bren’s sites and know I will have to go back and look in detail…I have bookmarked them and will go back VERY soon…what a talented person you are, Bren!!! Cindy, thanks for showcasing Bren so we could see more of her work :) Hugs to you both.  ~CindyE @ Rose Pendant Necklace

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Craggy Mountain ** BONUS COLOR RECIPE (B): Suede Boots > Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Fimo Faux Fossil Shell Beads | Fun To Make | Popular To Wear

I love your description of the sunflower against the blue sky. As a Kansas born girl, well, old lady now!, I know that sunflowers are the lifeblood for people – especially women. Where ever I have gone, moving across the Good ol’ United States, I have planted sunflowers and provided black oil sunflowers for the birds. The color palette for the petals is brilliant and so creative. Your experience in mixing the clay colors is desperately needed by me – an old lady beginner! Now i want to figure out a design incorporating the black oil sunflowers . . . so the birds have something to eat as well. Thanks for the best website on polymer clay i have ever found. At last – I am learning something. And the treasure hunt is just plain fun, although winning would be even better! ~Pamela @ Polymer Clay Color Mixing

Just think of it Girls and Guys, instead of reaching for those potato chips when you are watching T.V. reach for your beads that need to be sanded. I am all into multi-tasking. Just think of how many calories you will save and burn. I am always looking to make a dull project fun, so all you Polymer Clay artists  start thinking outside the box. I feel like a kid again, playing with this medium. Being a kid again is what all of us old folks dream about. ~Sandra @ Sanding Polymer Clay Beads

REGULAR COLOR RECIPE (A): Pistachio ** BONUS COLOR RECIPE (B): Medium Coral >> Polymer Clay Tutorials Guest List VIDEO: Adding A Layer Of Crackled Gold Leaf Onto Rolled Clay Tube Beads