I decided to write this tutorial because when I mix clay, there is a bunch of it and I get bored making a zillion of the same thing (or sometimes just one is enough), so I transform the clay through a series of progressions using a range of techniques, and that's what I'm sharing in this tutarticle. I'm never sure what I'll end up with when I do this, but whatever it is it will match! I usually keep going until there are no remaining scraps.


With 22 pictures, it shows you how to combine a whole range of polymer clay techniques into a progression to create a set of focals and beads from one batch of custom mixed clay. NO TECHNIQUES ARE TAUGHT in detail - individual techniques are taught in other lessons, some of which are free and some of which are paid. The techniques draw from several of my lessons here on CL, plus free ones online for the Skinner Blend and Desiree McCrorey's lesson on swirled lentil beads.


It starts with a focal I made for a color challenge, in which I applied some Julie Picarello techniques. Then I had a bunch of clay left over, which I used for the remainder of the progression. During the course of the progression you will see some simple caning and kaleidoscope caning. I will not be showing how to do the kaleidoscope technique as that is taught for fee by highly respected polymer clay artists, so thank you for understanding. Just know that if you do learn that type of work, there is a place where it can fit into a progression.


These techniques work best if you use 3 or more colors of clay. Note that the colors might not look so great in one techinique, but look pretty darn good when used in a different way. What that means is that if you have ugly clay you need to play with it a bit and give the duckling a chance to turn into a swan!


By the way, if you're wondering what you might do with the focals and beads, there are some great ideas and wire designs over at the sister site,http://www.jewelrylessons.com There are tutorials for ways to use cabochons, and earringsbyerin has a great wire design for that teardrop-shaped cabochon.