Archives: Tutorials
Polymer Clay Crackle Compendium
Because polymer clay is flexible, you can stretch it, and you can color it with a huge array of art materials, it’s a natural match for making crackle effects. While crackle in the natural world usually is connected with age or deterioration, you’ll find that crackle can also be refined, contemporary, or sophisticated. This tutorial takes you through the 7 major ways to create crackle effects and explains the materials and processes that you can use.
This is not, however, a step-by-step project tutorial. There are no finished items to create. I thought a long time about the best way to convey this information to you and I finally settled on the enclosed format. Most crackle processes are just variations on a theme, and to step-out dozens of variations would just be annoying and tedious to read. I didn’t want to limit this tutorial to just 8 or ten crackle recipes. As with all my tutorials, my goal is to teach you to understand the materials and the way they work so that you can apply the information and techniques to your own preferred type and style of project. I’ve tried to give enough information to serve as a jumping-off point for your explorations. Note there is a Crackle Gallery that gives a quick overview of how I made each crackle sheet or item.
There is also a user gallery where you can upload your crackle photos (and what you made with them). If you have any questions, there is a private Questions and Discussions section where you can get help from me or other owners of this tutorial.
Note: If you prefer a PDF download, you can find the button for that in the Crackle Resources section.
Below is a table with each of the sections and topics listed. You can navigate from here, or you can use the navigation panel at the right (or below if you’re on mobile). At the end of each topic and section will also be buttons to help you get around. Thanks for joining me here. Now let’s get cracking! (Sorry…Dad joke…I had to.)
Polymer Clay Earrings
This tutorial contains a PDF file that contains 25 pages of printable templates that can be used to make polymer clay earrings and matching jewelry. You’ll likely find these templates valuable in all of your polymer clay work, too, so keep that in mind as you look through the pages.
After the printable templates, you’ll also find a tutorial for making contemporary polymer clay earrings. While making the earrings is simple, the information included here will help you make a quality piece of jewelry that is a joy to wear (and gift or sell). You’ll learn how to make earrings using the printable templates and how to give them a professional and quality finish.
Finally, you’ll find a questions and answers section as well as a gallery for you to share photos of your work (and share your shop links). There you can find answers to any questions you might have and help others with theirs.
Are you ready? Let’s get started! Below, you’ll find a list of sections. Just click on the desired section to get the information you need. Enjoy!
Mica Shift in Polymer Clay
Using clearly illustrated steps, this class takes you though the process of making the intriguing Mica Shift technique. The unique qualities of metallic and pearlescent polymer clay allow this neat optical illusion to be created. You will create a patterned image with the clay that is perfectly smooth to the touch. Tips and tricks are included that will help you avoid some of the common pitfalls that beginners face when attempting the mica shift process.
Guide to Powders
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Guide to Using Powders eBook. I’m glad you’re here.
The eBook itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF eBook, get a quick look at the materials discussed in the eBook, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
Once you’re into the class pages, you can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your eBook”. Enjoy!
Faux Lampwork Tutorial
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Faux Lampwork Tutorial Class. I’m glad you’re here.
The tutorial itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF tutorial, get a quick look at the materials for the tutorial, see examples of this technique, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your Tutorial”. Enjoy!
Polymer Clay Essentials
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Polymer Clay Essentials Class. I’m glad you’re here.
The eBook itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF eBook, get a list of resources, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your eBook”. Enjoy!
Baking Polymer Clay
In all crafting activities, the designing or creating side is only part of the process. You also have to deal with the technical side. In the case of polymer clay, the technical considerations of curing or baking the piece bring complexity to the material’s use and sometimes there are challenges to overcome. Creating successfully with polymer clay means that you will have to bake or cure the item. Here’s how to do that and how to avoid the all-too-common pitfalls of breakage and burning.
This course can be downloaded in a single printable PDF here.
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Baking Polymer Clay Class. I’m glad you’re here.
To get started, scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “What is Curing”. Enjoy!
Mica Leaf Pendants
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Mica Leaf Tutorial Class. I’m glad you’re here.
The tutorial itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF tutorial, get a quick look at the materials for the tutorial, see examples of this technique, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your Tutorial”. Enjoy!
Opulent Tapestry Tutorial
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Opulent Tapestry Tutorial Class. I’m glad you’re here.
The tutorial itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF tutorial, get a quick look at the materials for the tutorial, see examples of this technique, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your Tutorial”. Enjoy!
All About Silkscreens with Polymer Clay
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the All About Silkscreens eBook. I’m glad you’re here.
The eBook itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF eBook, see examples of these techniques, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your eBook”. Enjoy!
Getting Up to Speed in Polymer Clay
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Getting Up to Speed Tutorial. I’m glad you’re here.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list of sections in this course. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page to view that topic. Once you’ve visited each page and marked it complete, its box will display a green checkmark.
Once you’re into the class pages, you can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Which Brand of Clay”. Enjoy!
If you need a printable PDF Download of this tutorial, you can get it here. It does not contain updated resources, however. Always check the online resources section of this tutorial for the most updated information.
Holo Effect Tutorial
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Holo Effect Tutorial Class. I’m glad you’re here.
The tutorial itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF tutorial, get a quick look at the materials for the tutorial, see examples of this technique, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your Tutorial”. Enjoy!
Graduated Colors Tutorial
Welcome! This is the “front page” of the Graduated Colors Tutorial Class. I’m glad you’re here.
The tutorial itself is a downloadable PDF, but that’s only part of the fun. There are more features included in your purchase and you can access them all in the pages below.
Scroll down a bit and you’ll see a list. Tap or click on each one to be taken to that page. That’s where you can download your PDF tutorial, get a quick look at the materials for the tutorial, see examples of this technique, upload a photo of your own, and get answers to your questions. Once you’ve visited each page, its box will display a green checkmark.
You can go to the next page by clicking on the “Next Section” button on the bottom. You can also find another list of the “Class Content” and a navigation menu on the right of your screen if you’re on desktop, or further down the page if you’re on mobile.
I know you’re eager to get started, so click or tap on the first block in the Class Content below, “Download Your Tutorial”. Enjoy!