Ever wanting to try new things, I have added a millefiori technique to my polymer bead making skills!!! Oh what fun, because my pasta machine decided to go ape and comk out on me so I had to roll and cure by hand!!! Not good with arthritis like mine... BUT, it was worth it. Trouble is, I only thought of taking photos when I was part way through!!! So above is the result of a large flower formed of several sticks (six from one roll to make petals with inlaid lines, and one central stick). The original roll was about 2" across and 2" in depth. I squeezed and rolled to make the different size canes you can see below, close up.
I think it is so clever that the clay stays where you place it, basically!!! I think I will inlay the stipes for the petals deeper next time, as they got a little lost as the cane got smaller in diameter.
Above is the wonderful mixture of the clays left over, twisted and rolled, twisted and rolled again, to marble them together. I added some transluscent so they will glow with more depth when baked....
This is the finished bead cane, with lovely marbled effects and then I cut off half inch bead pieces of about quarter inch diameter. Big boys then!!! Yes, big beads as you can see below...
Oh they are yummy, arn't they??? I love all those swirls and twists. I noticed how different they were if you closed up the ends first before rounding off... the swirls were vertical through the piece and showed up if left without pinching.
This photo shows the little cane and tiny flowers I added to those beads. They are about quarter of an inch across and just thin slivers added to the main bead
When rolled and smoothed, the flowers integrate with the rest of the clay and look so pretty... I want to have a go with other colours next. I shall string them on pins with header beads etc then add each one to the next via a short length of chain to make a long necklace. There are some great demos on YouTube, and I will add the link I liked best when I have more time... Just off to do the horses with Freddie, so, thanks for looking and happy WOYWW this week... for those not yet au fait with that, here is the link to the wondrous blog that is
Julia's Stamping Ground
Happy New Year
With Love and Light
Frankie
xx
26 comments:
Fab technique and the final results look wonderful !! Thanks for sharing !
What fun! Thanks for sharing your millefiori. Happy New Year! S #48
Wow, must be so satisfying to make your own beads, they are gorgeous, love the added flowers, pretty pretty. Wishing you a Happy Creative 2011. Carolxx
Your beads look delightful, Happy WOYWW and wishing you a very happy new year x
hugs Minxy #33
Your beads are just GORGEOUS!
I'm #20 on the WOYWW list this week. Stop by when you get a chance.
And a Happy *almost* New Year to you!!
Those beads turned out gorgalicious!
Happy creative crafting in the New Year. Thanks for the peek and sharing, hugs Marjo #10
Ohhh this is so beautiful, I have always wondered how these beads were created. We have an old vase which has a similar pattern and I would try to imagine how it was made. Now the mystery is solved. Have a lovely new year.
Sandra #29
Wow - how beautiful! Just like making rock, but with a much sweeter result. I love the tiny flowers you added to the beads too; that's a real labour of love.
Wishing you a happy and crafty 2011
Bernie #17
They are stunning and your so creativer just lovethem.thats something ive never tried my hand at.Absolutely gorgoeus.
Have a happy healthy,crafty new year to you and yours
hugs judex5
Great beads! I've never had much success with my bead making though.
The necklace sounds fantastic. Happy New Year.
:)
Wow Frankie,
Those beads are gorgeous!
Happy final WOYWW for 2010 and Happy 2011!
Susan #13
http://stamponme.blogspot.com/
Breathtaking...they must give you so much joy to create... Thx for visiting and Happy New Year!
#6
Happy New Year Frankie. Love your beads they are gorgeous. Love Elizabeth xxx
Your projects are lovely. Thanks for sharing. I found myself lingering at your blog just to listen to the music and admire your garden. Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy New Year full of love and kindness. Elizabeth #57
wow these are fab x
Oh they ARE yummy. Can't wait to see what you're up to in 2011 - we're getting a wee bit closer to gardening time so I'll have my eye on you then! Hauoli makahiki hou from AmberInk, stealing the #1 position over from Elizabeth in the final seconds!
Hiya, well I came for the stampman blog hop but your beads are fab and am happy to have seen them. Hope you sort out the computer probs soon and happy new year.
This is my comment for the Stamp Man blog hop as directed by Jill, as your link isn't up yet!
Stunning. I love the random mix the best: all the colours and, especially, the unusual combos it gives rise to. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Happy New Year.
cheers, rachel #15
I am visitng you for the blog hop challenge and am glad i did as these beads are really Great. Tracy x
Great technique. Thanks for sharing.
Love the flowers and the swirly colors.
I've always loved to watch people work with the clay. Afraid I don't have the patience myself. Yours are beautiful! #75
Fab beads.Happy New Year
Janet x
Oohh..I'm over here as part of the Stamp Man Blog Hop, but really glad I saw this post - have made beads like this myself in the past but completely fogotten about the technique..will have to dig out my FIMO now..Happy New Year...Esther xx
Beautiful beads - visiting as part of the Stamp Man blog hop - hope to visit again.
Post a Comment