Vol-049-1 Large Sculpted Calla Lily PcT Tutorial (Intro)

Video #258: “Asking nicely… would love to see a tutorial on those Calla Lily flower beads :) ” ~Laura-R

More...

** This post is an introduction to one of our paid tutorials.

Calla Lilies are such incredibly beautiful flowers. I love them so much, they were my wedding flowers almost 25 years ago now. The shape and form of a Calla Lily, is sleek and delicate, yet there is something strong and almost bold about its thick sturdy stem and prominent stamen.

The Calla Lily is a great flower shape to make into polymer clay beads and jewelry pieces. In fact, many of you will remember the tutorial I did way back of a funky little version of a Calla Lily Bead, done using cane slices.

To show just how many varieties Calla Lilies come in, I found this neat video on YouTube showing several different forms and colors. It should give you some color inspiration for creating your own unique Calla Lily Jewelry pieces.

As soon as I get a chance, I’m going to make some of those nearly black, dark purple-y ones in the video… and maybe some coral colored ones too. So beautiful!

Now since so many of you commented about the Calla Lily Stick Pin that I included as a sample in the Vol-048 Etched Polymer Clay Tutorial, I’ve decided to make that the topic for this week’s tutorial…

“That calla lily pin… hope we see that as a future tut.” ~Jocelyn-C
“What a lovely Calla Lily. The color and design are to die for. Grovel, smile, oh please sweet Cindy could we PLEASE have a Calla Lily Tute?” ~Patt-W

“Whoopeee! I am also fond of this calla Lilly. Pleaeaease, Cindy, would it be possible for you to create the tutorial ;-) ;-). Am I asking for it nicely enough????” ~Francine-C

“Okay, here’s my vote for the Calla Lily tute (pretty pretty please with chocolate sprinkles and a cherry on top) :-)” ~Lesley-S

“Brilliant Cindy… yes I also love the calla lily’s with the crushed glass stamens… so hope we get to learn how to make them soon.” ~Elaine-F

This video tutorial is beautiful. What pretty colors the Calla Lily comes in! These little extra features are what separates you from all the others who teach. Thank you for YOU! 

Patt W

Just completed one of your gorgeous calla lilys. You are so right CINDY, it is addictive! What is it with this CINDY GAL? You think, 'nah, I’m not going to do that' when you see her latest tute, then hey presto, you find yourself sorting through your supplies and getting started, lol.

Elaine F

Hi Cindy, I purchased the calla lily tutorial tonight and LOVE it! You and Doug outdo yourselves all the time. I'm always amazed! 

Karen K

Video Transcript - English

Transcript coming soon...

Video Transcript - Spanish

Transcript coming soon...

Video Transcript - Your Language

Our goal is to translate these videos into as many languages as possible. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, then please do contact us and we will figure out a way to make it worth your while :)

Shareable Images

Large Calla Lily Bead Vol-49-1 Vid-258

Want to chat about today’s post? That’s what the comment section below is for. Scroll Down… We’d love to hear from you!

Or... if you would like to request a topic for a future post, here is the link to do that… PcT Suggestion Box

Our PcT Social Media Channels

  • Here’s a photo of my Calla Lily Stick Pin, for the “what we’re all making” board. I’m quite proud of it! Thanks Cindy for your wonderful teaching!

    • Dixie Ann says:

      Karen, your Calla Lily Stick pin is gorgeous. Thanks so much for letting us see it. You have given me inspiration.:)

      • Karen Kann says:

        Thanks Dixie Ann! That means a lot as I’ve always admired your work and skill. :-)

  • Hi Cindy,

    I purchased the calla lily tutorial tonight and LOVE it! You and Doug outdo yourselves all the time. I’m always amazed!

  • I finally found grommets for the large holed beads, and can’t find the tutorial. Can you help me? I have no idea what number it is. I thought there was an area that was subject matter, like “beads”, “techniques”, “equipment”, etc., but I am lost again.
    Kelly Beavers

  • Suzanne C says:

    Cindy,
    I have a question about the finished calla lilies that you show on this video, other than the white one you completed in the video. Can you tell us how you got that effect? It looks like perhaps translucent clay rubbed with mica powder?

  • Dixie Ann says:

    Oh Victorian is good….love that stuff. I love the big Calla Lily made from the Wiltons Forms but am always looking for ways to work in different sizes. I like earrings to go with a lot of Cindys tutorials so I cut up a bunch of soda cans and was amazed at how easy it is to make templates with it. It’s inexpensive and if you don’t mind not getting your bottle refund we have here in Iowa it is great for embossing too! I spent a whole day playing around and got a great template for making a much smaller Calla Lily. I would really like to see more tutes on making different kinds of clasps from metal to go with the polymer and to see different ways these two can be joined together. Got any ideas Cindy?

  • Hi Pat… I’ve made a mental note about your Victorian theme request. Thanks for your suggestion. BTW: If you type “Victorian” as a keyword into the search box, you will find some relevant information posted here at the blog already.

  • I am very excited. after purchasing the Wilton Calla Lily forms you show in your video. You are a great teacher! You don’t talk down to ladies who don’t have the experience you do. I like that.

    I am a lady who likes the Victorian age. I have just cut out a shape of a Victorian hat in polymer and am going to attempt to decorate it in that era. Anything you can teach doing things in that time, would be much appreciated. Showing how you might make something a little different. I am going to look for pictures of Victorian gloves and purses too. And try to decorate them also — since you are so creative, maybe this might be a little challenge you could take up. I would like to do this for scrapbook embellishment — since my daughter is a scrapper.

    My best to you and your husband, and thanks for everything!

    Pat

  • Elaine Faulks says:

    Ohooh poor Dixie
    after all you hard work to end up with charred embers, know the feeling, think we’ve all been there, done it and got the T-shirt. My mosiac project turned into cinders but hey you’ve gotta laugh. My sister burned a load of carrots she was making for her granddaughter who lives in Germany. she painstakenly got out her paints and painted everyone individually. (What we do for our grandchildren) anyway after using future floor polish they looked fine and her granddaughter loves them. So ever burned bits can turn into works of art. Looking forward to (mark II) you will get it right eventually. Love your comments…………….keep going to the wonderful end result…………………………..cheers xx

  • Does anyone know if the Wilson funnel shape for forming the calla lily is the type of plastic that would survive an hour in the oven at the proper temp? If it does, I can sure see it as a mold for those gorgeous cone scarf pins or scarf holders (see discussion thread for specifics…coneheads…hee hee with Dixie.

    Making Your Own Bead Cones | Polymer Clay Tutorial

    Thursday, April 5th, 2012 | Bead Shapes | Comments (51)

    The ones I keep trying to make out of paper are very lame.

    • Dixie Ann says:

      Jocelyn, I myself would not trust putting that thin plastic in the oven but then what do I know! We found out the resin would bake for an hour without harming it. LOL Is there a way you could take some heavy foil and make a mold for your lily flower? Maybe you could make a paper one and then use that to make a foil one? You could also overlay some cardstock with heavy foil, that might work. I made a big boo-boo today and burned my mosaic necklace so now I have to start over. 7 of the resin pcs burned almost black. I forgot to set my oven temp at a lower setting. See, all that work and down the drain. I did learn a lot though and hopefully will have gained more knowledge for the next one. I was able to save two of the ends and will use them for pendants.

      • Oh no, Dixie! You poor thing. I do that too, more than I’d like to admit. I have two timers, one around my neck and one in the main area and set them to check the toaster oven in the kitchen (because I cannot hear the timer go off in the kitchen under the fan vent). It can get pretty comical, but, the last batch I baked this week came out very well, just a little darkening even with tenting. Going to soak those in bleach and see what happens.

    • FYI – remember the bead cone tute? I mentioned using
      chandelier light bulbs as forms. Try it with the Calla Lilies . You do have to prop the outside of the petals, though. It works just fine……………..smile

      • Another thanks, Patt. In my budget for July, and just googled light bulbs. Holy Hannah, is there a ton of choice: 1000bulbs.com

        Lots of these styles would be perfect for polymer clay work since they are immune to the heat of the oven.

    • Jocelyn,
      I think the cone will survive the hour. I have used the Wilton cup forms many times in the oven my one error was placing one on the rack without a tile under it. The rack gets hot and does melt the little cup. I saved it to remind myself of the disaster I created by being in a hurry and forgetting the tile.I tend to leave one tile in the oven always just so I do not make that mistake again.
      Good luck with your project.

      • Cool beans Karon! Thanks for the info. Will use tile underneath too.!!

  • I always say, that it is not good to wish your life away, wishing for future dates. Now I find myself wishing for next Friday! I can’t wait for next Friday so I can learn to make the stamen.

  • Peggy Barnes says:

    Love this tutorial and can’t wait till Next Friday when I can put the finishing touch on them. I can’t wait to get going on this so I will have some all ready for next Friday. You definately have made it so we can get our moneys worth from all our Wilton items. I love buying tools and supplies and when you know you will be using them for more than just one type of bead that just makes it even easier to pay for them. I have the Wilton set and have used it so much but the fact that you always have a back up plan for those who can’t get the set for some reason shows what a great teacher you are and how much you care for each and every one of us. Great tute, great filming makes for a wonderful lesson.
    Thank you both!!

  • Cindy this is an amazing tute ! Your handling of the clay made all the difference in a “clunky” or a realistic flower. We will be using your tricks of the trade on many other flowers as well. Such a dainty but sturdy flower you made. I would love to have a pendant made with it…….hmmmmmmmmm –bye bye – claying coming up

  • pollyanna says:

    Wow! Love this tute. We can use your edging trick on some of the previous flower tutorials. Love that look. Thanks!

  • I was doing so well resisting the urge to buy that paste forming set! And then, you go and post this… this AMAZING tutorial. Sigh. ;)

    Now I will have to go out (coupon in hand) and buy it. Can’t wait to make an “etched copper” calla lilly!!! Hrmmm. Wonder if I can make the outside of it look “hammered” without damaging the etching? O.O

    Thank you, Cindy!

    • Monique U says:

      Hope, I assume you’re going to be using copper-coloured PC? How about doing the mica shift technique (Vol-018) on one side of your sheet with an appropriate design, then flipping it over, add another sheet if needed to get it to Cindy’s recommended thickness, and do the etching technique. Or you could use 2 different colours of clay put together, might be cool… let us see your creation if you come up with something that works!

    • Hope, this sounds like a fabulous idea, and I’d sure be grateful if you’d share pics of the finished objet d’art on Cindy’s PCT Facebook site.

  • Lesley Symons says:

    Thank you SO much Cindy, I’m really excited about this tute! The variations are stunning, and I can’t wait to get creative …… looking forward to next week!!!

  • Elaine Faulks says:

    It’s an Enigma – The Calla Lily is not (in fact) a lily, nor does it have a single petal. What you see is called a” Spathe”, a leaf-like sheath that wraps curling around the “Spadix” which is the fleshy spike-like flower head, the heart of this exotic bloom.

    It is associated with rebirth and new beginnings. Beloved by brides, florists and flower arrangers, as when cut will last up to 10 days in water.

    Chosen by CINDY and DOUG on their wedding day. It must hold a host of wonderful memories for you both.

    My niece and nephew got married in Prittlewell Priory, in Essex. This ancient grey stone building stands in leafy lawns in the centre of the park. My niece chose the tiny versions of this lily in deep burgundy and wasabi green – stunning. The bridesmaids dresses in burgundy satin elegantly hugged their slim figures
    . At the reception the colour scheme continued and these beautiful little lilies made wonderful centre pieces for the tables. In fact when it was all over the departing guests nearly came to blows as all wanted to take the flower arrangements home but not enough to go round.

    So a big THANK YOU for this latest adventure into the wonderful world of flowers, it must also remind you of your (then new) Father-in-law CINDY, so cherish your flower memories.

    So glad I purchased the Wilton flower cutter set as you suggested that we might use in the future videos and love the idea of your etched petals.Now will have to wait a whole week until I can find out about crushed glass……. How exiting………………………..cheers xx……………………………..

  • Jocelyn C says:

    Thrilled to see this tute come up so soon! And does that video showing all the variations rock?

    Not sure what Cindy is going to do for the crushed glass stamen in next week’s tute, but I can sure give you folks a great site to check out for possibilities: meyer-imports.com. These folks have one of the best selections of glass glitter and other options. I can get lost on this site for hours looking at all the possibilities.

    Also, Google “crushed glass” and “crushed glass glitter” for other options/sources. If you request “images” on each search, the pictures are amazing.

    • sandy triplett says:

      Jocelyn- Thanks for that info. I inquired as to what would be needed for them so I could have it at the ready but got no reply. I was going to make one of these for my dear mother for her Birthday but found her something this evening I think she will like much better. You are sure right about getting lost for hours on that site. Thanks for sharing :)

      • Sorry Sandy if I didn’t respond to you quickly enough. It can get pretty busy around here making tutorials and stuff, so can’t always get to questions as fast as I would like. Sounds like Jocelyn helped you out quite nicely, though, so THANK YOU Jocelyn! Hope your mother has a wonderful birthday!

  • Dixie Ann says:

    Beautiful Calla Lily Video! I did not realize they came in so many different colors. What an education we get with you Cindy. Not only do we get wonderful tutorials, you always come up with that something extra! Can’t wait for this one!

  • P.S the extra Youtube video was beautiful. What pretty colors the Calla Lily comes in ! These little extra features are what separates you from all the others who teach. Thank you for YOU !

  • Boy – that was quick. EVERYBODY wanted to have a Calla Lily tute. And (tahdah) here it is. Oh, thanks, so much for chance to make this big Calla lily. Can’t wait -I’ve got everything ready – in anticipation for Friday – we wait………….

  • Monique U says:

    Very cool, Cindy! The YouTube video is neat, a lot of the shots look like modern art exhibits… and even some that look like X-rays of the flower, what a treat! Like you said, lots of colour and form inspiration. Can’t wait for tomorrow; that glass stamen for next week is very intriguing as well.

  • sandy triplett says:

    Cindy,
    My Mothers favorite flower and her Birthday is June 10th.
    Im making a trip to the city today for some supplies, can you please tell me what I will need for the crushed glass for next weeks tute so I can Whip one of these calla lillys up for her. Thanks

  • pollyanna says:

    Love learning from all these fantastic tutes.

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >