Channel Title: Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals Channel Description: I love art! In all its shapes and forms, and more than that, I love to create art. I can’t think of a time in my life when I haven’t been making or creating something, even when it was just as a hobby. It is something that makes me happy, deep down, and I hope that comes through in the work and videos I produce. I am an internationally award-winning Polymer Clay artist who also paint in oils, and I started creating these polymer clay tutorials as my way of giving back to the polymer clay community and hopefully inspiring others to take up this wonderful medium. I have a website which showcases my work - http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ I am on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I have an Etsy shop - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and I am on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fionaabelsmith.artist Thanks for joining me on my Polymer Clay adventures. <video> Surprise, Perfect Polymer Presents. Description: Surprisingly these little presents are not covered in paper, but Polymer Clay veneers. In this detailed tutorial I take you through everything you need to know from creating the present shapes, the patterned wrappings, ribbons, bows, holly leaves, gift tag and filial details. So, grab something to drink, sit back, relax, and unwind, as I show you how to make these sweet little stacks of decorated presents. Then have a go and make some of your own. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, both available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 . Here is the link to the Skinner Blends video – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 .The Cute Festive Trees Video I refer to is here - https://youtu.be/UQE4VF4t0b8 go to 34.50 minutes to see the decorative bows I mention. Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using, and I always protect my clay when baking by tenting it in aluminium foil, just in case my oven spikes in temperature. I also use an oven thermometer. I used FIMO Soft Polymer Clay, but all well-known brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. Use whatever colours you wish to create your patterns and designs. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. Depending on whether you are making a hanging decoration or a standing stack, other equipment you may need is: A polymer Clay Blade / Craft Knife / small roller / 4mm Cable Needle – or something similar. 1mm, and 0.8mm craft/jewellery wire (18 and 20 gauge) cut a piece of each longer than your parcel stack. A tiny piece of very thin (0.4mm/26 gauge wire) if you are adding a gift tag. Wire Cutters, small round nosed pliers / needle, or wire just larger than 1mm to make holes. Mini jewellery/craft drill if you are making holes after the clay is baked. Liquid Polymer Clay (PVA glue would be okay for this project as an alternative) / PolyPaste if you have any, it can be found here - https://www.clayaround.com/shoppage/prod_6840404-Kato-Poly-paste.html - but is not essential. Foam or sponge texture, not essential. Sculpey Ultralight Clay is available from many online or craft stores or use stacks of corrugated cardboard cut to the size you need and cover them in a thin layer of scrap polymer clay – bake before adding the decorative veneers. PACPEN – I use tiny cutters from Aggies Miniatures on Etsy. I used the Christmas set 04, and Ornaments set 30 - https://www.agneshorvath.co.uk/copy-of-pac-pen These are not essential, use any small cutters you have. I also used small round, oval and star cutters – The round cutters can either be bought in a set specifically used for polymer clay from many shops on Etsy, but I have also bought them direct off eBay, where you can search under ‘Cord Pin End Crimp Terminal Wire Copper Connectors’, to find similar cutters, but you will get a huge amount all the same sizes. Other small cutters are available from many good craft shops and online. I use a ripple blade, but this is not essential. Pencil or something similar as a mould for the hanging finial element. A couple of beads with holes large enough to thread the wire. I added 4mm glass crystals – they are not essential. I work on a large tile and use a small tile to bake on. Aluminium foil to cover the clay while it bakes. Measuring sheet, or something similar – this is freely downloadable from https://www.printablepaper.net. I laminate mine so I can use it multiple times. Ribbon to hang your decoration. I really hope you have fun with these, and cannot wait to see what you create. Thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> Kite Twist Cane and Wall Plaque in Polymer Clay, a Tutorial. Description: This video shows how to create a wall plaque completely from polymer clay, plus some earrings and a pendant, using my new Kite Twist cane. So, sit back, relax, and watch as I show you step by step how to create some lovely pieces of your own. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. The Bowls Tutorial and the veneers for sale, along with my other tutorials are available from my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals I also have a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blend Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I hope you enjoyed the video and have fun with these techniques. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Winter Dreams Jewellery, a Polymer Clay Tutorial. Description: To Cane or not to Cane? In this sweet Winter Dreams Polymer Clay Jewellery tutorial I show you the design with both ‘caned’ trees, and ‘non caned’ trees – so the choice is yours. I show you how to make the design into a pendant, Brooch/Pin and Earrings too, and talk you through the whole process step by step with tips and techniques throughout, including how to create a Skinner Blend without a Pasta Machine. So, sit back, relax, and watch the process unfold. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, both available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals . The video is split into parts, you can find them at these points in the video: The Background - 4.40, Cane 1 – 8.40, Cane 2 – 27.30, Cane 3 – 40.40, Colours for Fairy Leaf Cane – 51.10, Adding the Trees – 52.30, Non Cane Version – 56.45, No Pasta Machine Skinner Blend – 1.13.20, Silver Layer – 1.17.50, Adding Paint – 1.21.10, Backing – 1.23.20, Earrings – 1.30.45. Link for conditioning Polymer Clay - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 , link for Skinner Blends - https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 . For the Fairy Leaf Cane Furniture and Fairy Leaf Cane, go to 30.25 minutes - https://youtu.be/g4Yz0KCwVCk My website is http://fionaabel-smith.co.uk/youtube-videos.html and I have uploaded a template there for you to use, go to The YouTube videos page, and scroll down to the bottom of the page. I use FIMO Soft Polymer Clay, which needs baking, all the amounts and colours are listed on the video itself, always follow the manufacturer’s baking instructions for the brand of clay you are using. You will need a tile to work/bake on, aluminium foil, a polymer clay blade, roller, cable needle (or something similar), a pointed needle (or Cocktail Stick/Toothpick), measuring sheet or graph paper, texture sponge/texture sheets (I use packing sponge), Liquid Polymer Clay/Bake and Bond (or PVA Glue), and bio degradable wet wipes to clean as you go. Other things will depend on the type of design you choose and include – acrylic paint/brush, jewellery findings for Brooch/Pin, Pendant or Earrings – all available from beading/craft stores or online, Jewellery Pliers. Gilder’s Paste is available from good craft stores and online. Goldfinger is one brand, but others are also available. Check out places to find it near you. I use some thin Acrylic rods, these can be found online, and also at Tiny Pandora’s Crafting Boutique - https://tinypandora.com/products/canebenders (Teresa also sells the large rollers). I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I hope you enjoyed the video, and thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> Petal Cane Earrings from Polymer Clay, an Ad Hoc Tutorial. Description: Making it up as I go along, I was happy with how this Petal Cane turned out, and it makes the sweetest little petal earrings. What do you think – will you make some too? Simply sit back, relax, and watch as I take you through the whole process. This is part of my ‘Ad Hoc’ series of tutorials, so let me know any other designs like this you’d like me to have a go at, and I’ll see what I can do, just add a comment below. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. I have artworks and tutorials available from my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals I also have a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on social media where I post more examples of my tutorials and other works - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blend Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Here is the link to How I clean my Pasta Machine - https://youtu.be/cksCZSd3LCg Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I baked the earrings on a small tile, and tented the tile in aluminium foil, to protect the clay should the oven temperature spike during the baking process. For the second baking I placed the earrrings on a small piece of ordinary card. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I use a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I use a little liquid polymer clay (PVA glue also works for this), and small ½ inch (1.25 cm) oval and 1/3 inch (0.8 cm) round cutter, but you can use anything of a similar size, or cut the shapes by hand. I finished the earrings with ‘flat back earring post’s and ‘butterfly backs’, both of which are widely available from bead shops and online stores. I hope you enjoyed the video and have fun with these techniques. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Lovely Lily Leaf Earrings from Polymer Clay, a tutorial. Description: In this video I show you the lily leaf cane, a quick petal cane, and how to create the wire spirals to decorate your earrings. The process is straightforward and the results lovely. So, sit back, relax, and watch as I show you step by step how to create some lovely pieces of your own. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial The Template that I used as a guide is freely downloadable for personal use from my website. Go to the YouTube videos page, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page where all my free templates are listed. - http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/youtube-videos.html The Pansy cane Jewellery Tutorial which shows the open bezels is here – https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1664648278/pansy-cane-jewellery-from-polymer-clay? The Lily Petal Cane Necklace Tutorial is here – https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1669137466/geranium-petal-cane-necklace-in-polymer? The Geranium Petal Necklace Tutorial is here - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1669137466/geranium-petal-cane-necklace-in-polymer? Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blend Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I used UV Resin from BekBek Makes - https://bekbek.co.uk Let’s Resin is another brand I use - https://letsresin.co.uk and Deep Shine from Teresa Salgado is also very good, - search under UV Resin - https://tinypandora.com all are low odour and relatively bubble free. NB: Please always wear a mask/protective googles when using resin, even low odour ones. The chemicals in all resins can be harmful if breathed in. As an alternative you can use Polymer Clay varnish or add a thin layer of liquid polymer clay (and then re-bake the clay as before). I have a Lucy Clay Slicing Machine – here is one online store who sells it, but shop around to see who else does too - https://www.amazon.co.uk/LUCY-CLAY-Polymer-Assembled-Redesign/dp/B07SH7YGDB and there are many other slicing machines on sale, so see if there is one to suit your needs. You do not need a slicing machine, but many people find them helpful. I hope you enjoyed the video, have fun with these techniques. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Beautiful Leaf Jewellery from Polymer Clay, a Tutorial Description: From brooches to pendants and earrings, I show how to create this delicately patterned leaf jewellery from polymer clay. With easy to follow techniques, you really can make some of your own. So, sit back, relax, and watch as I show you how, then have a go and make some yourself. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blends video – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I used Cernit Polymer Clay for this design. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. The aluminium wire is 1mm, 18 Gauge and the Jewellery wire is 0.8mm 20 Guage wire. I really hope you have fun with this one and cannot wait to see what you create. Thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> The Magic of Polymer Clay, Trinket Cane Trinket Bowl Tutorial. Description: Polymer Clay truly is a magical medium, just little changes in how you put a cane together give a whole different look. In this full tutorial I talk you through the whole process step by step through two designs using the same initial cane parts, with tips and techniques throughout, so you really can make your own. So, sit back, relax, and watch the process unfold. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. The Bowl Tutorial I mention in the tutorial that I have in my Etsy shop is here - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/982221731/polymer-clay-bowls-with-trellis-cane? The unbaked, ready made, veneers I mention are in my Etsy shop, they will vary in pattern, and each is unique - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals The Blue Bottle Tree Website is here - https://thebluebottletree.com If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial Here is the link to conditioning Polymer Clay - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to Skinner Blends - https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Stainless Steel Bowls can be bought from Ikea, sometimes Lidl, or online. Heave a search for what’s available near you. The Slump moulds (pottery forms) I mention are available in the USA – https://grpotteryforms.com/en-gb search their site for pottery forms, and the UK – https://www.potclays.co.uk again, search under pottery forms. Do check they are oven safe before you use them. Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I always tent the polymer clay in aluminium foil, to protect the clay should the oven temperature spike during the baking process. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. Another video you may enjoy watching is Polymer Clay Bowls with hexagon Designs – https://youtu.be/vSpInqLBC7w I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> Ad Hoc Leaf Cane in Polymer Clay a Tutorial Description: I had such fun making this cane up as I went along, and I was pretty happy with how it turned out. I will definitely make this one again – will you have a go? All you have to do is sit back, relax, and watch, as I show and talk you through the whole process. Let me know any other designs you’d like me to have a go at, and I’ll see what I can do, just add a comment below. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. I have artworks and tutorials available from my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals I also have a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blend Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I baked the earrings on curls of card, on a small tile, and tented the tile in aluminium foil, to protect the clay should the oven temperature spike during the baking process. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I finished the earrings using jump rings and fishhook earring findings, both of which are available from bead shops and online stores. I made my own leaf mould using Pebeo Siligum, (other moulding brands are available) a 2 part moulding compound. I used 2 real leaves as the base and took the mould from the topside of one leaf, and the underside of the other. I hope you enjoyed the video and have fun with these techniques. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Cute, Festive Trees in Polymer Clay, a Tutorial. Description: These cute trees are so fun with their tiny presents around the base. I show you, step by step, everything you need to know to create them, so sit back, relax, and watch as first I show you how, then have a go, and make your own. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, both available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blends video – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I used FIMO Soft Polymer Clay, but all well-known brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. For the Tree Branches cane I used ¼ oz (7g) of White, Emerald, a lighter Green (½ Tropical Green – ½ Pistachio), and a darker green (1/4 Black – ¾ Emerald). The branch cane slices were – 1. more than ¾ inch(2cm), 2. less than ¾ inch (2cm), 3. ½ inch (1.25cm) and 4. less than ½ inch (1.25cm). I used 1/4oz (7g) Indian Red for the Tree Pot. For the snowy base I used 1/3 oz (10g) of White. All the other amounts of clay for the ribbons, parcels and decoration were tiny amounts, so use what colours you have. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. Other equipment you need is: A polymer Clay Blade / Craft Knife / small roller / 4mm Cable Needle – or something similar. 2mm craft/jewellery wire (12 gauge) - 5 inches / 12.5 cm in length. Wire Cutters, small round nosed pliers / needle or wire just larger than 2mm to make holes. Liquid Polymer Clay/small brush (PVA glue would be okay for this project as an alternative) / PolyPaste if you have any, it can be found here - https://www.clayaround.com/shoppage/prod_6840404-Kato-Poly-paste.html - but is not essential. Foam or sponge texture. Biodegradable micro glitter – search online to see who has some near you. Bowl/container for the glitter. Measuring spoons (mine are from Asda/Wallmart), or the Sculpey Hollow Bead Maker, or the cut off (and sealed) ends of 4 drinks cans. Thick cardboard / 2 inch - 5cm round cutter and ¾ inch - 2cm cutter – not essential, just cut rounds roughly these sizes. PACPEN – I use tiny cutters from Aggies Miniatures on Etsy. I used the Christmas set 04 - https://www.agneshorvath.co.uk/copy-of-pac-pen - again, not essential. I used an extruder; you can simply roll the clay instead to a small thin roll. The Makins extruder just so you can see an example, can be found here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Makins-Clay-Pistol-Multi-Colour/dp/B0018BOXWQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KAQI1HDG70R0&keywords=makins%2Bextruder&qid=1699959146&sprefix=makins%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1&th=1 other retail stores are available. The Lucy Clay Czextruder can be searched for under that name, to see who has one near you. Biodegradable wet wipes, or wet cloths for cleaning hands/tools. I work on a large tile and use a small tile to bake on + small piece of baking parchment or something similar to use when putting the tree together. Aluminium foil to cover the clay while it bakes. Measuring sheet, or something similar – this is freely downloadable from https://www.printablepaper.net. I laminate mine so I can use it multiple times. Ribbon to hang your decoration. I really hope you have fun with this one, and cannot wait to see what you create. Thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> Double Foil Earrings in Polymer Clay, a tutorial Description: This quick video shows how to make these pretty but easy earrings using Polymer Clay and metal foil. I show you all you need to know so you can have some fun and make your own. All the links are listed here. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here are some useful links – other online stores will sell these items, this is just for reference only. Metallic Foil - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08HQS1F1G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Stencils - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Y379SQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - Open bezels - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08YDG8TP2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I used about ¾ oz (42g) of scrap polymer clay – as in left over pieces from other projects that I mixed together to get a dark grey colour. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to condition the clay and create a thick slab. The slab was setting 2 on my pasta machine (on my machine 0 is thick, 9 is thin) and is approximately 6 playing cards (2mm ) thick. I used UV Resin from BekBek Makes - https://bekbek.co.uk Let’s Resin is another brand I use - https://letsresin.co.uk Both are low odour and relatively bubble free. NB: Please always wear a mask/protective googles when using resin, even low odour ones. The chemicals in all resins can be harmful if breathed in. I added a thin coat of the UV resin, gently pushed to the edges of the bezel using a small paintbrush. I removed air bubbles by carefully wafting a small flame from a candle fire lighter over the top of the resin. 5 minutes under a UV lamp and the resin was cured. I repeated this process for both sides to give the high shine to the finished pieces. There are thousands of videos on social media showing this process if you need to know more. As an alternative, Polymer Clay varnish will give a good shine and seal the foil. Or add a thin layer of liquid polymer clay - one side at a time (and then re-bake the clay as before). Equipment, other than that mentioned above : Small roller, Craft Knife. A small sheet of Baking Parchment/wax paper/tracing paper/parchment paper or something similar. Clear sticky tape. A small tile to bake on, and aluminium foil to tent the tile to protect the clay should the oven spike during the baking process – bake according to the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. Biodegradable wet wipes, or wet cloths to clean your hands as you work. I work on a large white tile, but any non-porous flat worksurface will do. I finished the earrings using 20 gauge wire and threading on glass and metal spacer beads. The earring findings are simple fishhook ones, these and the beads are available widely from bead and craft shops. I used a Polymer Clay Blade to help clean my worksurface, but this is not essential (please keep fingers away from sharp edges). If the foil sticks to your stencils it can be removed with warm soapy water and a sponge, or, if the stencils are sticky from the tape, use acetone, such as in Nail Varnish remover (always follow the instructions on the bottle). Hopefully that gives you everything you need to know to make some double foil earrings of your own. Have fun. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Ad Hoc Cane 1 in Polymer Clay. Description: Can I make it up as I go along? Can you? Of course! We all can and have fun as we do. This is the Ad Hoc cane, and I had no idea at the start how it was going to turn out. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and watch as I show and talk you through the process. Then create some lovely pieces of your own. Let me know any designs you’d like me to have a go at, and I’ll see what I can do, just add a comment below. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. The veneers for sale, along with other tutorials, are available from my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals I also have a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith The British Polymer Clay Guild has a variety of groups who meet around the UK – https://www.bpcg.org.uk Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blend Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 The following 2 tutorials show how to put the full/large veneer together - Fantastical Kaleidoscopes Video – https://youtu.be/D6MUAXnc5Fs Polymer Clay Bowls with Hexagon Designs Video - https://youtu.be/vSpInqLBC7w Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I hope you enjoyed the video, and have fun with these techniques. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Beautiful Hanging Decorations in Polymer Clay, a Tutorial Description: These beautiful polymer clay decorations are easy to make and fun to do. I show you a simple cane but use any cane design you like for the petals/leaves. All you need to do, is sit back, relax, and watch as I take you step by step through the process. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. I have artworks and tutorials available from my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blend Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. When I bake, I tent the tile holding the clay pieces in aluminium foil, to protect the clay should the oven temperature spike during the baking process. The amounts and colours of clay I use are listed within the video itself, I used FIMO Soft, but all recognised brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. I hope you enjoyed the video and have fun with these techniques. Thank you so much for watching, and a special thank you to those of you who subscribe, I really appreciate it. </video> <video> Brocade Cane with a Twist, a Polymer Clay Tutorial Description: This Polymer Clay cane design is easy to create yet looks spectacular. Giving a new twist to my original Brocade Cane tutorial, I’ve created a triangular cane instead. I take you step by step through the whole process, so sit back, relax, and then have some fun and make your own. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 Here is the link to the Skinner Blends video – https://youtu.be/Ad0KmwKyVx8 The original Brocade Cane video is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGdjWvhqgjE The following 2 tutorials show how to put the full/large veneer together - Fantastical Kaleidoscopes Video – https://youtu.be/D6MUAXnc5Fs Polymer Clay Bowls with Hexagon Designs Video - https://youtu.be/vSpInqLBC7w To create the smaller hexagons look here : 2 in 1 Hexagon Cane, a polymer clay Pendant Tutorial - https://youtu.be/UWnmB-3i3cc Hexagon Kaleidoscope Cane Pendant, a Polymer Clay Tutorial - https://youtu.be/2DHGaOjjTWI To create jewellery pieces, see the above for pendants, or for earrings : Dots and Swirls Cane Earrings in Polymer Clay, a Tutorial - https://youtu.be/X-Xh7-O_M8M Quick and Simple Polymer Clay Earrings – https://youtu.be/XqkM9-LLNY8 To cover phone stands : Triple Blend Cane in Polymer Clay, a Tutorial – https://youtu.be/R_pOFmF4uAc , to make Coasters - https://youtu.be/u0yvL_32kdc . Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I used FIMO Soft Polymer Clay, but all well-known brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. Full details of the colours and amounts I used are detailed on the screen during the video itself. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends and condition the clay. If you do not have a pasta machine, you can condition the clay by hand, by cutting it into slices, and then rolling the clay in your hands until it becomes soft and malleable. If you want to create sheets of clay, roll the clay between two even stacks of playing cards to get an even thickness in your sheet of clay. Settings 9 and 8 on my machine are 1 playing card thickness (0.15 and 0.25mm), setting 7 and 6 are 2 cards thick (0.33 and 0.5mm), setting 5 is 3 cards (0.75mm), setting 4, 4 cards (1mm), setting 3 is 5 cards (1.5mm), setting 2 is 6 cards (2mm), setting 1 is 7 cards (2.25mm) and setting 0 is 8 cards (2.5mm) thickness. Equipment : A flexible Polymer Clay Blade {please keep fingers away from sharp edges) Small roller, Craft Knife, 3mm/4mm Cable Needle – or something similar A small sheet of Baking Parchment/wax paper/tracing paper/parchment paper or something similar The measuring sheet is freely downloadable from https://www.printablepaper.net and I use the 4 squares to one inch sheet. I print it out, laminate it and then it can be used multiple times. Biodegradable wet wipes, or wet cloths to clean your hands as you work. I work on a large white tile, but any non-porous flat worksurface will do. Hopefully that gives you everything you need to know to make a cane of your own. Have fun. Thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> Happy, Tatty Ghosts in Polymer Clay Description: Create some fun and happy little ghosts with a tatty vibe from Glow in the Dark Polymer Clay. All the equipment/details you need are listed below, and you can add some battery tea lights under them to give them a spooky glow. NB: Never use naked flames next to/under polymer clay, the polymer clay will burn and give off noxious fumes. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, both available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals and as a video tutorial here - http://polyoriginals.thinkific.com/courses/winter-petals-summer-blooms-bangle-tutorial The lady who made the Pumpkin tree I mentioned has an Instagram account here –https://www.instagram.com/texnclayco/ and the posting was around 21 October 2023. If you are unsure how to condition Polymer Clay, then here is a video that may help - https://youtu.be/pFx7frDYJG0 The Tutorial for my Magical Trees is here - https://youtu.be/hdFLuG633yI Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using. I used Premo Translucent Polymer Clay for the cone, and Night Glow FIMO Soft Polymer Clay for the ghost, both about 1oz (28g) of clay. I used a tiny amount of black clay to add the eyes and mouth. All well-known brands of polymer clay will work well for this project so use whichever brand you have to hand. I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to condition the clay and create thin sheets. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. For the under cone, I used setting 9. For everything else, including head, arms, face features, I used setting 7. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thicknesses are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card. If you do not have a pasta machine, simply stack the above number of playing cards on either side of your clay and roll it to that thickness. I used an A4 sheet of card and of paper, a compass, pencil, scissors, and masking tape. The semi-circle is approx. 8.25 inches (21cm) in diameter. The arms are made from a piece of card 3 x 2 inches (7.5 x 5cm) cut in half. The head clay is wrapped around a small tissue approx. 8 inches (20cm) square. I bake on a small tile and always tent my clay in aluminium foil, wrapped over the clay and tile, so that it is not touching the clay. This protects the clay should the oven spike in temperature during the baking/curing process. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using when baking/curing your polymer clay. I use a blunt ended cable (knitting) needle to smooth the clay, any similar tool will work. I also use a craft knife, a small roller, and a polymer clay blade to remove the clay from the tile surface. I remove the tissue paper by soaking it in water and pulling it away from the head form with tweezers. Liquid Polymer Clay (or Bake and Bond) helps unbaked clay bond with baked clay, but you can use PVA Glue for what we are doing here instead. The mini cutters were small rounds xx inches (xxcm) wide, you can roll balls by hand and flatten them if you prefer. The mouth was made with a small heart cutter (xx inches (xxcm0)) and small oval cutter (xx inches (xx cm)). Cut a shape by hand if you don’t have any cutters. The mini cutter for the eye dots is 1mm wide. The small round cutters can be bought in a set specifically used for polymer clay from many shops on Etsy, (I originally got mine from MyMandarinDucky on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/211379943/dottie-tool-set-for-polymer-clay-circle?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=dottie+cutters&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&bes=1 but I have also bought them direct off eBay, where you can search under ‘Cord Pin End Crimp Terminal Wire Copper Connectors’, to find similar cutters, but you will get a huge amount all the same sizes. I used Pebeo Studio Acrylic paint and a brush to add some darkness to the tatty clay ends after baking. To keep my hands clean and wipe away excess paint I use biodegradable wet wipes. Wet cloths will also work of course. I really hope you have fun with this one, and I cannot wait to see what you create. Thank you so much for watching. </video> <video> Quick and Easy Bumblebee Wings Description: You can make simple but effective thin and clear wings following this tutorial. So, have some fun and make your own, for all your art/craft projects. Please excuse my voice in this one, thankfully I don’t speak much as I had a very sore throat, but I add the written instructions for you, and all the links you need are detailed here. The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, and both are available from the YouTube Free Audio Library. I have artworks and tutorials available from my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fiona.abelsmith, Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist and TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fionaabelsmith I use UV Resin, and as I am one of many people who react to resin, I always wear protective mask and goggles, so please make sure you are safe when using resin, and definitely work in a well-ventilated area at all times. I have used 3 brands of UV resin in the past to make these wings and all work well. In this instance I used the JDiction brand as I wanted a yellow tinge to the wings. All the brands sell products that you can use to tint your clear UV resin, and many also sell the coloured resin too. Bekbek Makes - https://bekbek.co.uk/collections/uv-resin Let’s Resin - https://letsresin.co.uk/search?type=article%2Cpage%2Cproduct&q=uv* JDiction – https://jdictioncraft.com/en-gb/products/jdiction-rainbow-uv-resin-kit-8-colors-240g?_pos=11&_sid=467a557f8&_ss=r The marker pen I used for the veins is from the Sakura Pigma Micron set, and can be found from many outlets online, or it looks like they can be bought separately here - https://www.cassart.co.uk/sakura-pigma-micron-pens/ I regularly cut out any useful and clean, clear acetate from packaging if it’s big enough to use in my Polymer Clay projects. I am however very careful cutting it out, the edges can be sharp, and I round off the corners. It is useful for many projects, including these wings. If you have any problem getting the wings off the acetate sheet, then hold a polymer clay blade or craft knife at about 45 degree angle to the edge of a wing and tap it, it should then ping off, but may take a few tries. Above all have fun with your crafts and thank you for watching. </video>

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Description

I love art! In all its shapes and forms, and more than that, I love to create art. I can’t think of a time in my life when I haven’t been making or creating something, even when it was just as a hobby. It is something that makes me happy, deep down, and I hope that comes through in the work and videos I produce.

I am an internationally award-winning Polymer Clay artist who also paint in oils, and I started creating these polymer clay tutorials as my way of giving back to the polymer clay community and hopefully inspiring others to take up this wonderful medium.

I have a website which showcases my work - http://www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/

I am on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fionaabelsmith.artist

I have an Etsy shop - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals

and I am on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fionaabelsmith.artist

Thanks for joining me on my Polymer Clay adventures.

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