My classes at Cabin Fever and a update

I am in Florida visiting my parents. Sorry I haven’t been around lately. I have been having so much fun and I left almost immediately after Cabin Fever Clay Festival, so it was very hard to get a blog in.

Here is what I started before I left.

I miss you all.

Love and huge hugs,

Marie

I must say that I am thrilled with my classes at Cabin Fever. I am tired, but thrilled.

Judging by what my students did, the classes went very well.

These are creative vibrant women and they learned so fast.

These are from the AM class.

The top row second from left is a heart that is antiqued but not finished with Lumiere.

The two hearts in the bottom row on the right side that are neutral are what the hearts look like not having the antiquing or the Lumiere.

The others have been painted and finished all the way.

They did well didn’t they?

Another bib necklace!

I am sorry I haven’t been around lately. I am getting ready for my classes at the Cabin Fever Clay fest.

It is now open to day visitors, so if you live in the area of Laurel, Maryland or surrounding areas and you want to take a few classes, this would be a good place to do it.

I will try to keep you up on what is going on while I am away.

Here is another way to use the Hoarders Closet bib finding. It is such a fun and versatile finding to play with. The brass ones can even be drilled.

Check it out here:

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-finally.html

This is yet another way to use the bib finding.

Brass or silver bib finding

24 gauge brass of non-tarnish silver Artistic wire

Spool of tiny gold chain or silver chain

Assorted beads, chain, and findings

Flush cutters

Chain nose pliers

Thread the 24 gauge wire into the loop on one side of the bib finding.

Bend a small bit over and twist the wire together.

I am going to use a mix of red, black, and white beads, glass, polymer clay, and some chain.

String on a few of your beads. I am using some of the smaller ones on the ends.

Pull the beads back and the wrap the wire around the end of the finding a couple of times.

Like so.

Push a couple of beads down the wire.

How many you use is up to you and how big the beads are.

Wrap the wire around a couple of times again and then push more beads down and wrap again.

I took the wire and wrapped it around the big black bead and the under.

I just keep adding more beads and wrapping.

This is not something that has to be perfect.

Here I am stringing some of the small chain on to the wire.

String on some more beads. Add some more loops of wire. Add some more chain.

You get the idea.

I haven’t had time to finish this, but you get the idea

Now go have fun and make something.

Pennant Necklace- diy part 1

I see pennants all over Etsy now days. I thought it would be fun to make jewelry using that theme.

I also used the vintage chain I have been selling in the Hoarders Closet. It is sweet, small, strong, and great to work with.

I documented this one to share with you, because it is so much fun to make and wear.

I made both kids sizes and adult.

You will need:

1 color of Cernit (I used Turquoise and Light Green) You could even make each flag a different color, just have fun ;-D

Clay machine

double ended knitting needle

22 gauge artistic wire in Non-tarnish silver

Triangle cutter in 5/8″ size

Round cutter in 5/16″ size

Alphabet stamps (I got mine at Michael’s)

Flush cutters

Rosary pliers or needle nose pliers

Flat nose pliers

Tiny Chain

1. condition clay and make soft and pliable, roll out in the clay machine on the 2nd thickest setting.

2. I am making the name “Sarah”

Cut out 10 of the triangle shapes.

3. Cut 5, 3 1/2″ to 4″ pieces of 22 gauge wire with the flush cutters.

4. Place the middle of the wire over one side of the triangle cutter and bend the ends over the edges.

5. Place the bent wire on one of the sides of the triangle. Put the wire down from the top about 1/16″.

6. Place one of the triangles over the wire and on top of the triangle on the bottom. Line the two triangles up and press together.

7.  Press the triangles together and focus on the top of the triangles where the wire is.

I like to pick these up and make sure all the edges are pressed together well and the wire is centered and press well at the wire.

8 Do the same thing to the other 4 sets of triangles and wires.

9. Stamp pennants with letters.

10. Press in deeply and firmly for a clear print of the letter.

11.  Check the edges and make the pennants are flat after stamping.

12. Using the 5/16″ round cutter, I cut out 10 circles from the sheet of clay rolled out on the 2nd thickest setting. Roll these into balls.

13. Use the knitting needle to poke the hole in the beads.

Turn the bead over and poke the knitting needle back through the hole you just made to even the holes out on both sides.

14. Poke through.

15. Bake on a piece of corrugated box cardboard in a preheated 275 degree oven for 30 minutes, shut off the oven and let cool in there until you can touch the beads.

Continued in part 2…

I am teaching at Cabin Fever Clay Festival

I am teaching at Cabin Fever Clay Fest in Laurel, Maryland not far from Washington DC. in February.

You can read about my pre-conference and conference classes here

http://polymerclayfests.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/cfcf-2012-spotlight-on-instructor-marie-segal/

You can sign up here on the registration page

http://polymerclayfests.wordpress.com/cfcf-2012-registration-page/

This is the first time I will ever be teaching my unzipped hearts, how to use the zipper mold, how to make the embellishments, stamping both sides of the heart at the same time,  making and incorporating the ring bail at the top and anything else I can give you in the time allotted.

I will not be the only teacher there either, there are many great artists coming to teach at this event and it is the perfect thing to heat up your cold winter. I am so looking forward to this and meeting new friends and playing with old ones…

Here is the line up

Beginning 17 Feb. 2012, we will offer a two-day masterclass with Jeffrey Lloyd Dever and seven full-day workshops with each of the following incredibly talented instructors: Jana Roberts Benzon, Lindly Haunani, Barbara Lewis, Liz Potter Hall, Nan Roche, Marie Segal, and Sarah Shriver.

On Sunday, 19 Feb., the conference begins and will offer twelve unique workshops and nineteen opportunities to get the creative muse working again!  Instructors include: Blair Anderson, Jana Roberts Benzon, Lindly Haunani, Linda Hess, Doreen Kassel, Shannon Nelson, Kathryn Jo Ottman, Lynne Anne Schwarzenberg, Marie Segal, Sarah Shriver, and Laura Tabakman.

I will also be teaching a class on wire called “All wired up”

That is the pre-conference (master classes) all day workshop on Friday the 17th of February.

We start out making a simple flower cane .

I will be exploring all kinds of ear wires and making a simple clasp for necklaces and talking about wire basket weaving and how to incorporate the cane into the wire.

This is going to be an incredible conference with many wonderful teachers and 20 classes available to you. I am so honored to be amongst this group.

You should come, it is going to be fun and you will have chance to learn something new in the new year.

All of the instructors are incredibly talented artists in polymer clay, metal clay, mixed media, and metalwork.

 

Happy New Year… finally!

Well, the new year is here and I  for one, am excited.

I hope you are too.

The year has been interesting.

Thank you so much my dear friends for staying for the year, for sharing your love and your hearts, and for giving me a reason to keep writing.

I am better for knowing all of you!

Thank you!

I have been playing with some new things. New year, new things, I started early.

I thought these were very fun and I thought you might like to try too.

This is like scrapbooking jewelry… woooooooooooo whoooooooo.

I knew my boatloads of fun with Jodi would lead to something like this.

I also like it because it is one of the bib necklace findings I just loaded in to my HoardersCloset Etsy store here for gold,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88706811/vintage-metal-gold-tone-brass-bib

and here for silver,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88644235/vintage-metal-silver-tone-plated-bib

That is the finding right there in the foreground above with no decorations on it.

I have had these for years and I have added clay to them and that is fun, but this is cool because I can use all of my newly collected scrapbook and paper supplies on these too.

Here is a pic of some of the things I used on the necklace, plus some scrap book paper.

Yes!

You will need:

1 brass or silver tone crescent

Chain necklace with clasp and jump rings

Scrap book paper

Gel medium- soft gel

1/4″ flat brush

jewels and metal bits

glossy accents

scissors

glue

glitter glue

Distress inks

foam applicator

clay pieces

assorted goodies and beads

brads

Distress ink

paper doilies

Glass rhinestones and cabs

Ribbon

Anything else you think might look wonderful on here

I started with one of the brass crescents

Cut a piece of paper that is bigger than the crescent.

Glob on gel medium, with flat brush, on to the front of the crescent.

Turn over the crescent and place it on top of the paper.

Pick up the both of them and press the paper on.

The gel will squish out around the edges

Set this aside and let the gel dry for a little bit.

Cut off the paper below the loop on the crescent.

Like so. Do both sides.

After it has dried a little cut the excess paper around the crescent.

It should look something like this.

I go around the edges and press the edges to the crescent.

Now I cover a paper doily with metallic ink and let it dry or heat set it with a heat gun.

Now I distress the edges of the paper on the crescent with walnut stain Distress Ink.

This colors the edges of the paper so they are not stark white besides giving the paper on the front a nice soft antiqued look. I love this ink!!

I love the way this looks.

I place the doily over the crescent to see where I want it to go and then cut a section out.

Cut a section to go on one end also, I liked it like that.

I put a layer of gel on to the end where I am going to place the piece of doily and then paint the gel on the back of the doily and place the piece where I want it to go.

Place gel on the back of the other piece and place it where you want it.

Put gel on top of that one.

I set it aside and let it dry on the crescent. Because of the curve of the crescent I lift it upon something (scissor covers) so the edges down.

When dry cut, away the excess doily.

Like so.

With Crafter’s Pick Ultimate or E-6000 Glue on your bits.

I had to throw in some clay. I only use a little glue in the centers of the butterflies the glue seems to press out to the edges when I press them down on the paper.

At this point I just start filling up the base with stuff, rhinestones, flowers, keys and other assorted things.

I haven’t finished this but I will post it when I do.

Have fun with this. I would love to see what you do.

Have a great 2012, much prosperity, health, and peace for us all.

Blessings all over you all.

Happy Holidays to one and all, that means all of the holidays. No matter what you celebrate, you are important to me. Blessings all over you and yours and may the new year be very kind to you.

2012, how can it get any better than that? :-O

This is my gift to you.

Thank you for following, your kind comments and support, your friendships, and a reason to keep going everyday!

Large focal buttons can be used on handmade coats, purses, bags, and scarves. Or they can be put on factory manufactured things to give them a little individual style all their own.

Easy to make and great for adding a little flair and uniqueness to a special gift.

This is also very basic instruction. You can use a clay machine if you want and if you do, use the thickest setting for everything.

I also love Cernit  for buttons, because it is harder than most clays on thicker settings, yet still quite flexible at thinner settings.

You will need:

Black Cernit

Two accent colors of Cernit, I used turquoise and poppy red

Cocktail straw

Clay blade-SB

Makin’s clay cutters-M36002 set of 3 squares

Pearl-ex powder-658, I used Aztec Gold

Makin’s Texture sheet set- 38003 I used the “weave” one

Button mold, I made my own from old German glass buttons

Rolling pin or dowel

Ball point pen

Condition black clay and flatten in to a pancake shape.

Roll with dowel until about 1/8″thick.

Roll clay on to texture sheet.

Use largest square cutter and cut out square.

With a little of the Aztec gold powder from the lid on your finger rub the gold powder in to the four corners of the black textured square. Leaving the center of the square free of powders. Put the powder only on the top of the black square and keep it away from the sides of the square too, we are going to place a twisted coil around the square.

Wash your hands to remove excess powder.

Condition and roll out turquoise clay to about 1/8″ thick.

Cut out medium square from set of cutters.

Put turquoise square on top of the black textured square off-center from the black square.

Condition some of the poppy red clay and roll in to a coil about 1/8″ in diameter and then do the same thing with some of the turquoise clay.

Twist the two colors together.

Roll the colors together on the work surface.

Roll down to about 1/8″ in diameter.

Place the twisted rolled out coil around the large black square.

Roll out a smaller coil of the poppy red, about 1/8″ in diameter, and place around the smaller turquoise square.

Make a button from your button mold or some other decorative center.

Powder the top of the molded button.

Place powder on your finger from out of the lid.

Rub your finger around a couple of times to smooth out the lumps and then brush on to the clay lightly and in circles.

You can also roll the whole ball in powder. Make it a little bigger to begin with , press into the mold and then cut off the back so it is flat with the mold.

This insures that there is fresh un-powdered clay on the back to attach to the turquoise square.

Press gently on to the turquoise square.

You could leave the button like this, but I am going to add a couple more things.

Roll 4, 1/8″ or smaller balls of black clay and place in the corners of the turquoise square.

With a ball point pen tip make a little mark in each of the black balls.

With one end of the cocktail straw cut a hole on the right side of the button top.

Turn the straw over and use the other side of the straw to cut another hole on the left side of the button.

I have cut my button holes so the button will sit and be sewn on diagonally.

Like so.

Bake for 30 minutes in a pre-heated 275 degree F oven, shut off the oven, and let cool till you can touch it, in the oven.

Happy Holidays Ya’ll, all  of them!!

Come play with us

Cabin Fever  Clay Fest in Laurel, MD is just 2 months away – Feb. 17-22, 2012…have you registered yet?  27 Workshops – 15 Instructors – 1, 2, 3 or 6 days of non-stop creative fun!  AND -You could win a $200 scholarship just for attending!  Register for the pre-conference only, the conference only, or both…pick your choice of instructors!  Still time to ask for that holiday gift you’ve wanted! 

Visit the website here at: www.polymerclayfests.wordpress.com

It’s not too late…there is still time for you to attend and win! It’s easy … all you do is register for the regular 3-day conference!  Winners will be selected and awards given during the conference. To register, download registration form here.

We have another year with a full schedule (workshops descriptions of incredibly talented instructors in polymer clay, metal clay, mixed media, and metalworks including Blair Anderson, Jana Roberts Benzon, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Lindly Haunani, Liz Potter Hall, Linda Hess, Doreen Kassel, Barbara Lewis, Shannon Nelson, Kathryn Jo Ottman, Nan Roche, Lynne Anne Schwarzenberg, Marie Segal (the 2012 Creative Pioneer and Innovator Award Recipient), Sarah Shriver and Laura Tabakman.  

If you haven’t attended CFCF yet, it’s an action packed one to six days of non-stop creative learning and fun and we want you to be part of it!  We will also be honoring Marie Segal with the Creative Pioneer and Innovator Award at the Tuesday evening celebration and there will be an opportunity for you to bid on some incredible items at the silent auction! 

Want to donate an item?…donation form is attached!

Review the workshops descriptions here and fill out your registration form and send it in.  It’s that easy!  Then, two (2) lucky attendees will be selected at the Tuesday night celebration. For additional information, please email cabinfeverclayfestivals@yahoo.com.   To register, download registration form here.

Kathryn Ottman

Central MD PC Guild, PCCAF and Cabin Fever Clay Fests

www.polymerclayfests.wordpress.com

cabinfeverclayfestival@yahoo.com

Picture this!!

I found these little frames, which are actually slide holders.

These look great in scrap books.

I used them for templates and made some clay frames which can also be used in scrapbooks, made in to jewelry, or magnets.

What about Christmas ornaments with pictures in them?

You will need:

Cernit Biscuit, White, or Opaque white (You can use other colors, I just used these for these pictures)

Clay machine

Clay slicing blade

Exacto-type blade

Textures

Pinata inks

Slide frames

small stencil brush

Metallic inks (brilliance, MicaMagic, these heat set and are permanent)

All links above lead to my husband’s on-line store, the Clay Factory, as always thank you for looking

Condition and roll out your clay on the 3rd thickest setting in your clay machine.

Lay the slide frame on the clay and trace around it cutting with your blade.

I have better luck cutting with a exacto type blade on the inside of the frame.

You can stipple with a stiff stencil brush.

Put on a little Pinata alcohol ink.

Then add another color and daub with a paper towel to blend (Kind of) ;-D

You can bake this one just like this or…

Stamp with gold metallic ink and bake. Tah-dah frame done! Scrapbook and flexible frames.

What about a necklace?

I will play with this later for ya!

Here is another way. Roll out the sheet of clay and then roll through with a piece of lace fabric to texture.

Cut out frame from this sheet.

Highlighted with Distress ink so you can see the texture. This wonderful ink (love for my cards) is not the best to use with Polymer clay, it really never dries and will rub off. Great for step by photos though, YAY!

Here it is colored with another metallic ink and then blushed with a gold ink to further accent.

Bake and go! That scrapbook is waiting. Also you can glue to the cover or paper with a small bead of glue along each side and the bottom and you will be able to slip a small photo in and out of it when the glue has dried..

Here is another way. Roll out your clay on the above setting and then roll through with a texture plate.

Ink and bake.

Back with more on this later.

Happy Tuesday, ya’ll.

Have a great week, go play now!

I love you to the moon and back!!

Finished onthe 15th, Fave Crafts Blog hop

Today is the Fave Crafts Blog Hop Finished on the 15th. It is about recycled products.

Click on the blog hop button above to go there and see all of the recycled crafts. Or cut and paste below

http://www.favecraftsblog.com/november-blog-hop-recycling-crafts-giveaway/

It is a contest again if you feel like voting.

 

 

I have been busy with life and finding less and less time as we are getting towards all of the holidays. There are so many things to do when your granddaughter is almost 3. Santa pictures, play, Christmas crafts, play, play, play, play, and more play. She is in to role playing now and I have been all of her friends, her stuffed animals, TV friends, swiper, and Uniqua (TV characters). It is fun, so I am behind.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone and may someone like my grand daughter light your life up and show you how to remember how to play and imagine!!

 

 

Here is my latest tin can project “Tin Can Taco box”.

Just add food.

The instructions to cover the box are from the last Blog hop and here.

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2011/10/finished-on-15th-tin-can-pumpkin-box.html 

You could even make a pumpkin with out the face for thanksgiving treats.

Have a great Holiday.

 

Let’s talk Turkey!

Gobble, Gobble!!

I thought it would be fun to have a tutorial on a simple turkey.

This could be made in to a magnet or pin.

You will need:

Caramel Cernit

Opaque White Cernit

Poppy red Cernit just a pinch

Orange Cernit

Black Cernit just a pinch

Clay Machine

Clay Slicing Blade

Bamboo skewer

Sun like cutter from Flowers and leaves Makin’s clay cutter set

5/16″ Kemper Kutter flower

3/4″ Kemper Kutter Round

Condition Opaque White clay and roll out in the clay machine on the 4th thickest setting. You can roll through the machine several times to get a nice smooth sheet.

Cut out one of the sun “like” shaped cutters and lay on work surface.

Condition and roll out the caramel on the 3rd thickest setting. Cut out one of the sun “Like” shapes.

Place the caramel one on top of the white one and off set it so the whites points show between the Caramel points.

Flatten the two together with the palm of your hand, preferably the rounded cup of your palm.

Cut out two circles of Caramel out of the round 3/4″ cutter. Put them together and roll into a ball. Then using your forefinger roll on one side of the ball and rolling in to a bowling pin shape.

Like so!

With the back of the clay blade (careful now!) Make a mark about 1/8″ to 1/4″ down from the top of the small end of clay bowling pin shape.

Bend the tip over at the mark.

Place the bowling pin caramel shape on the  two cut out sun “like” shapes and press the thicker end to the shapes like you see in the picture.

Make marks with the end of your blade around the turkey body where the indents are around the outside of the sun points in the brown flower/sun are. This step is optional, but does add a little more to the turkey.

Roll out the orange clay on the 2nd thickest setting and cut out two of the 5/16″ flower.

Push them out of the cutter and pinch two of the petals of the flower together.

Place the flowers that are now feet, with the pinched petals in the back,under the thick flattened end of the bowling pin caramel shape.

Cut out another flower shape.

We are just going to use this for the size, so roll that flower in to a little ball.

Roll on one side of the ball  to shape it in to a shape it in to a little teardrop.

Just like this.

Place this little teardrop thick end first on the end of the bowling pin caramel top of the bowling pin.

You will able to see it in the picture after I put the eyes on.

Roll out a very small coil of black and cut off a tiny, tiny section.

Cut two of them and roll them into balls.

They a will be very small, like a 1/16″.

Here is the placement of eyes and beak.

Now we are going to make the pieces for the waddle. Roll out a small coil of the poppy red.

Cut off  two short pieces and one long one.

Roll them all in to balls and then roll them in to elongated teardrops.

Place one of the two small ones on top of the head.

Then place the other.

You can see where the red pieces go, here.

Looking a little like a turkey now.

Poke two holes in the beak, so he can breathe.

With the side of the flower cutter mark the chest with marks for feathers.

Like this.

 Use the flowers cutter and cut out four flowers  out of the caramel sheet that is rolled out on the 3rd thickest setting.

Put two together and roll in to a ball.

Do that with the other two.

Roll those into teardrops.

Flatten those teardrops.

With the back of the blade mark both wings on the tips.

Now mark the wings with the flower cutter and mark horizontal marks on the tips too.

Place the wings on the thick end of the body.

Your turkey is done.

I thought it would be fun to have a tutorial on a simple turkey.

This could be made in to a magnet or pin.

You will need:

Caramel Cernit

Opaque White Cernit

Poppy red Cernit just a pinch

Orange Cernit

Black Cernit just a pinch

Clay Machine

Clay Slicing Blade

Bamboo skewer

Sun like cutter from Flowers and leaves Makin’s clay cutter set

5/16″ Kemper Kutter flower

3/4″ Kemper Kutter Round

Condition Opaque White clay and roll out in the clay machine on the 4th thickest setting. You can roll through the machine several times to get a nice smooth sheet.

Cut out one of the sun “like” shaped cutters and lay on work surface.

Condition and roll out the caramel on the 3rd thickest setting. Cut out one of the sun “Like” shapes.

Place the caramel one on top of the white one and off set it so the whites points show between the Caramel points.

Flatten the two together with the palm of your hand, preferably the rounded cup of your palm.

Cut out two circles of Caramel out of the round 3/4″ cutter. Put them together and roll into a ball. Then using your forefinger roll on one side of the ball and rolling in to a bowling pin shape.

Like so!

With the back of the clay blade (careful now!) Make a mark about 1/8″ to 1/4″ down from the top of the small end end of clay bowling pin shape.

Bend the tip over at the mark.

Place the bowling pin caramel shapeon the  two cut out sun “like” shapes and press the thicker end to the shapes like you seeinthe picture.

Make marks with the end of your blade around the turkey body where the indents are around the outside of the sun points in the brown flower/sun are. This step is optional, but does add a little more to the turkey.

Roll out the orange clay on the 2nd thickest setting and cut out two of the 5/16″ flower.

Push them out of the cutter and pinch two of the petals of the flower together.

Place the flowers that are now feet, with the pinched petals in the back,under the thick flattened end of the bowling pin caramel shape.

Cut out another flower shape.

We are just going to use this for the size, so roll that flower in to a little ball.

Roll on one side of the ball  to shape it in to a shape it in to a little teardrop.

Just like this.

Place this little teardrop thick end first on the end of the bowling pin caramel top of the bowling pin.

You will able to see it in the picture after I put the eyes on.

Roll out a very small coil of black and cut off a tiny, tiny section.

Cut two of them and roll them into balls.

They a will be very small, like a 1/16″.

Here is the placement of eyes and beak.

Now we are going to make the pieces for the waddle. Roll out a small coil of the poppy red.

Cut off  two short pieces and one long one.

Roll them all in to balls and then roll them in to elongated teardrops.

Place one of the two small ones on top of the head.

Then place the other.

You can see where the red pieces go, here.

Looking a little like a turkey now.

Poke two holes in the beak, so he can breathe.

With the side of the flower cutter mark the chest with marks for feathers.

Like this.

 Use the flowers cutter and cut out four flowers  out of the caramel sheet that is rolled out on the3rd thickest setting.

Put two together and roll in to a ball.

Do that with the other two.

Roll those into teardrops.

Flatten those teardrops.

With the back of the blade mark both wings on the tips.

Now mark the wings with the flower cutter and mark horizontal marks on the tips too.

Place the wings on the thick end of the body.

Your turkey is done.