Count Down and A Little Sculpted Leaf Tutorial

August 19th count: 994! The person who buys the 1000th item will get to choose a free item from my shop. AND....there will be a give away here.
The count down (or up) is at 990....only 10 more items sold to reach 1000!!!

This is a little tutorial for making a somewhat realistic sculpted leaf. You may make a leaf any size you like with these directions. This one is quite small, I think it ends up being less than 1/2" long. I will put these leaves on the top of a pod bead. I think they add just the right finishing touch! You will need Polymer Clay and a needle or needle tool.

Roll a smooth ball of clay. This one is about the size of a very small pea.

Place your finger on the side of the ball and roll it back and forth
to make a teardrop shape.

Flatten your teardrop into a leaf shape.

Using a needle tool make a crease down the center of the leaf.
(my needle tool is a needle that has been baked in a clay snake for a handle)

Using your needle tool make veins on one side of the leaf
with the point of the needle touching your center line and
angling with the point toward the base of the leaf.

Press veins into the other side.

A leaf with veins.

Run your needle tool down the center from point to base to make the veins line up
and to give a crease to fold the leaf so it looks realistic.

Fold the leaf on the crease and
squeeze the point then give it a little turn or twist to make it look realistic.

Finished leaf ready to decorate a bead.

The leaves are going on top of a little pod bead.

Placing the sculpted leaves on a pod bead with the needle tool.

Finished bead ready to cure.

I hope you enjoyed this little leaf tutorial. If you have any questions about it or about working with polymer clay, I am happy to help!!

blessings, ZudaGay

Knitsteel - Handforged by Kirsten Skiles

I remember, as a child, reading stories about blacksmiths making horseshoes and various tools . In my little girl mind I envisioned a person who worked with metals as a big guy who pounded steel and iron into shape. I can remember at a young age standing and watching a blacksmith working. It must have been at the county fair. This person wasn't large and he wasn't making horseshoes. He was making lovely graceful wall sconces and hooks. I love when our preconceptions are jolted into change!

I'd like to introduce you to a lovely artist whose work literally takes my breath away. I came across Kirsten's Etsy shop a couple of months after I joined Etsy. I loved her crosses which were elegant, rugged and very powerful! Her leaves so lifelike and beautiful and the tools she creates for other artist to use have these lovely simple lines that somehow call me to pick them up and do something. Kirsten lives in Wisconsin with her family. Here is an excerpt from her Etsy Bio.

"Kirsten Skiles is an Artist Blacksmith and Jeweler creating nature themed romantic home decor and jewelry.

Kirsten has taught at a number of well known craft schools, including Touchstone School of Crafts, John C. Campbell Folk School and Appalachian Center for Crafts.

She has exhibited both nationally and abroad. As a self-employed artist she works frequently on commissions for private residences through interior designers, architects, and other blacksmiths."

Here are some of the lovely items you will find to purchase in Kirsten's Etsy shop, Knitsteel.

This piece is my favorite in Kirsten's shop right now!!
Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Ginkgo Leaf Pendant No. 2

This lovely Textured Twiggy Copper Bangle Bracelet

And this beautiful Grape Leaf Trio - wall art

Kirsten also does commission work. I had such a hard time choosing what two pictures of Kirsten's commission work to share! They are all so amazing!! I implore you to take some time and go look at Kirsten's Flickr site.

Water Lily Railing

Copper Angelic Lectern
a commission piece for the Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI

If you would like to know more about Kirsten Skiles and her work please visit her blog Hand Forged by Kirsten Skiles. To see more of Kirsten's work visit her Flickr site. And to buy Kirsten's lovely work you may browse in her Etsy shop, Knitsteel.

Blessings, ZudaGay

What Happened to Tuesday?

I have no idea where Tuesday went. All of a sudden I'm living in Wednesday. Strange how that happens!

I loved the Sunflower Pendant I listed on Monday in my Etsy shop. I guess that others did too, it ended up in two Treasuries and was sold! How cool is that? This morning I listed another leaf. A maple leaf this time. I did something a bit different, I carved the veins out with a gouge....and I didn't cut myself!!! I can be a danger to myself with sharp tools. Then I used Genesis Metallic Heat Set Oil Paint in the veins and edges. It is such a cool paint because I can use my heat gun and have instant gratification.

Our little E started Head Start on Monday. He gets to ride a little school bus to school and then he gets to ride home with his mommy who teaches the other Head Start class. So far he is excited to get on the bus. I sure hope he continues this way. I'd hate to have to make him go if he didn't want to go. I was a terrible soft touch with our girls. I imagine that they stayed home "sick" more than they actually needed to......but I liked having them home.

Well, I will end with a picture of my Maple leaf for a little taste of fall.
Blessings, ZudaGay

The First One

Another new experience to try. I've heard that if you want to age well you must always strive to grow and experience and learn. I am in the learning to blog process.

I work with polymer clay and one of my new experiences is creating an Etsy shop. What fun!
Here is the newest item in my shop.




blessings, ZudaGay