Spirals

Have completed about a dozen spiral beads/cabochons all different, of polymer clay in lavenders, aqua, and black and designed 5 of them into a piece I'm presently beading.
Some of the others will be completed in a more simple form in order to have some done by the end of the month.
Oh my goodness it is great to be crafting again.

Native Maiden Pendant Focal Bead

I remembered a drawing I'd done of a beautiful African maiden and wanted to see how she would look as a focal pendant. here is the result. I made three, each similar but each also very different in color tone, background mat and background piece.
I drew the design onto a blended piece of polymer clay (black, a touch of red and a tiny bit of iridescent gold)using a ball stylus. Then I carved into the clay where I wanted deeper impressions, and carefully removed bits of excess clay. When I was happy with this stage I baked the pendant. When it had cooled I used irridescent powders to highlight certain areas. The eyes weere emphasized with polymer inks. The design was placed on the tore, carved, textured background pieces and baked again.
I hope you like her.See more at my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5191681
Suggestions?

Poly Play Clay

PolyClay Play is a great site with a lot going on.
You may want to check out the free tutorials for dozens of fun items.

http://www.polyclayplay.com/Invitation/

There are also directions for a switch plate cover, Happy Santa, table decorations and more.
Join the club and participate in swaps and challenges. Trish Hodgens has a good thing going here. You'll like!

Fossil Beads

Fossil beads are interesting looking and fun to make. I have made them both with pordelain clay and with polymer clay and like one as well as the other.
With polymer clay:
1. choose a neutral colored clay off white, beige, even flesh or a combination of scrap clay that will give you a light neutral color, and condition well.
2. roll out to about 1/4" thickness.
3.Use natural items as texture plates. (sea shells, coral, bark, pine cones (cleaned), weed seed heads, thistle heads etc.)
4. impress clay with texture items.
5. tear clay into shapes about 1" x 2" or "2" or the size you want or your texture field suggests.
6. make one or two hanging hole with a skewer or piercing tool.
7. Bake at 265 for 30 minutes in a clay dedicated oven or in a baking bag (those kind made for turkeys)
When finished baking and cooled it is time to tome them with pastel acrylic washes. When this is dry, brush surface with Pearlex. I like these left mat, but if you prefer a shine, coat with Future floor finish.
These look fine on a ribbon or cord, or use one as a a focal bead in a free form peyote necklace!