Polymer Clay Bead Giveaway Starts Today – Step 1) Submit Photos

“If you could, please post pics of the prize beads we are eligible to win.” ~Jocelyn-C

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As my favorite reality TV show host, Jeff Probst of Survivor fame, would say… “Want to know what you are playing for?”

Thanks, Jocelyn, for asking about the contest prize package. As I mentioned in the last article of this Bead Giveaway series, my bead inventory is constantly changing from day to day.

So although I can’t give you an exact rundown of everything you’ll receive, the photo above shows roughly what to expect. There is a larger version of the same photo further down on this page as well.

As you can see, many of the techniques from past video tutorials are represented. The retail value of the prize package will be in the $100 to $150 range.

Now, in regard to which back issue will be used as the theme for this inaugural bead giveaway event, there is a clear winner. Volume-014 came out ahead with the most votes from you guys.

As a result, your photo entries will be based on the following tutorial topics: Jupiter Beads, Faux Raku Smooth, Faux Raku Crackle and/or Torn Clay Watercolor Technique

Please understand that the main reason I am hosting this contest is to give you guys an incentive to spend more time actually applying the techniques you are learning from the PcT Store.

It is not a competition to decide who can make the most beautiful beads. It is not a popularity contest. And it’s not about being able to submit professional quality photographs.

The main objective is to simply get you guys to use the techniques… because that the best way to learn is to do. Linda-D summed it up very well, in a comment following the recent 2009-01-06 Rose-M article titled, Making Polymer Clay Beads for No Reason Other Than to Learn How (a must read).

linda d

Cindy, thanks for re-running Rose’s comment, since I did miss it the first time around. Rose, not only did I not think “duh,” but my reaction was more along the “aha!” line, with that all-too-usually dark lightbulb over my head finally lighting. Thanks to your comment, I started thinking that the only way I’ll get better at creating with polymer clay is to create with polymer clay, and I don’t need a purpose. Thank you! Even though I promised myself that I wouldn’t make any resolutions this year, I think I have one now.

That part about “…the only way I’ll get better at creating with polymer clay is to create with polymer clay,” captures perfectly, the entire essence of this fun bead giveaway event, that is about to get under way.

By the way, here’s is Rose’s original “duh” comment that Linda-D was referring to.

rose m

I love the idea of having leftover beads. Somewhere in my subconscious is the idea that everything I make has to have a purpose. Watching Cindy’s videos showed me that people make beads just for the making. I’m sure you all are thinking duh, but this was an eye opener for me. So, for the past few days, I’ve been making lentil beads – one of a kinds – just for the practice and fun. I plan to make some book beads to use with the book hooks I’m planing to make for a few friends. I made one yesterday for myself (I confess to being a page corner turner) and like the look of it. Maybe having a pretty book hook will get me using it. I’m looking forward to making more of the beads in the videos I purchased. I see a future with a big container of beads.

And here are a few more notable quotes worth reading. They will help to put you in the right frame of mind for getting over any fears or reservations that you may currently have about participating.

Before Christmas I wanted to add to Rose-M’s comment about having so many beads etc. Your thoughts, Rose, hit home with me and I had planned that “after things settle down again” I need to revisit the techniques that have given me a challenge that I didn’t conquer. Not that something interesting didn’t happen but I moved on and now like you say, Cindy, when the need for that accomplished technique comes it will take that much longer to have the sense of accomplishment that a finished project always gives. I’ve told my granddaughters many times to “learn whatever you can now because you don’t know when you’ll need it later on”. Now I need to do the same in my clay world. It is all fun and rewarding so now I’ll enjoy the “happy accidents” (as artist Bob Ross would say) but stay with the technique to really make it mine before going on to something else. It’ll just take a mite longer to get to that something else but there will great satisfaction in mastering that new technique. Many thanks to you, Rose and Cindy, for putting more light on this subject. What a year 2010 has started out to be! ~Joyce-M

Some of the happiest days in my craft room are those when I get distracted and start working on a technique or combining colors just for the sake of wanting to know how it would turn out. Interestingly, the results are often those I love the most. ~Elizabeth-S

I think it’s true we tend to put pressure on ourselves about being practical along with things/actions having a specific use. Funny how as adults we often try to get back to some of the qualities we lost when we were young. You never see a child put off something enjoyable because it didn’t have a purpose! They just do… it’s something I’m trying to get back to as well… This bead giveaway contest will be a fun way to keep motivated. ~DJ

Hi Cindy and all. On my way to way the Tribal cane tutorial, I stopped to read all the comments re Make the bead and the purpose will come. In working with PC I have never thought that way so it is good that it has made me think. I just try every tut even if I dont think it is me, or have done it before, as every time I look I find something new from it. Even an inspiration I hadn’t thought of before comes up. As to what to do with all the weird and wonderful beads I test out on, I just love having them around and they get used for something, even just to go back and to look at. As Cindy said, try everything as it all comes in useful sometime and expands your mind to becoming the creative artist you want to be in whatever medium. ~Elizabeth-K

Can’t wait for the Fridays of January to come. And I finally finished something!! I actually made beads into jewelry. I made memory beads out of my aunts funeral flowers. She passed away in September. Then I made bracelets for her daughters and grandaughters. I promised myself to get them done before the new year. As I said before my New Years resolution is to clay more instead of just watching what everyone else is doing. Like the others, this blog and Cindy’s lessons are what makes getting up early everyday worthwhile! It is the first thing I look for everyday! ~Maureen-G

These tutorials are brilliant! Love the diversity – from tribal patterns to pretty lace. Thanks so much Cindy for all your work, inspiration and creative teaching style. We both have the same resolution in mind this year Maureen! Much as I look forward to learning I will be doing all I can to play with clay in the next few months. Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and wishing lots of joy, warmth and peace in the upcoming New Year! AND lots of creative adventures too. ~DJ

I played a little last night with my clays, keeping in mind the things I learned from your videos. Wasn’t great… but I am getting there. It’s funny because I know in my mind how these things are supposed to be done… I guess my hands just haven’t figured it out yet!! I am so intrigued with so many techniques and I have to keep reminding myself that I have to PRACTICE doing these things for it all to come together. For instance, mokume gane… when I tried to do it…well, let’s just say that my dog could have done better! But I know (in my head) that I can do this and get good results… now if I can just get my hands to get on the same page!! Sorry for the rambling… Thank you again for showing my hands how to behave!!! ~Pepper-C

I have been terrible towards the end of 2009. I have not made any time for Cindy or her videos. I moved the end of October and just finally unpacked the very last box. I have a whole craft room to myself now with a door and everything. (I still have a 9 year old who likes to sneek in and search for items to use for his matchbox cars and army guys). Anyway… for the start of the new year my goal is to watch your videos every Friday and actually make what you teach. I have done quite a bit in the past and was doing really well. But then… life got in the way. I miss you! I promise, I will be a good girl the new year and will not miss a thing. I look forward to all the excitement you will bring in the new year. ~KlayKisses

What a surprise I got to see the photo of my ear rings posted here at your blog. Learning the techniques and applying them like with these ear rings is what I joined for and have appreciated the videos, thank you. I hope it enthuses your other members to put their work in too. Thanks for the comments and thanks for thinking enough of my little effort to put in here. ~Elizabeth-K

I think this is a wonderful idea, Cindy. This would give me, a somewhat new clayer, more incentive to jump in and try what I’ve learned. ~Linda-K

Hopefully you took the time to read those comments that I compiled above. They explain better than I ever could, about the reasons why you should participate in this bead giveaway contest. So let’s get to it.

This week, all you have to do is email me photos of your polymer clay beads and/or jewelry projects, inspired by what you learned in the video tutorials from the Volume-014 Back Issue Package.

You can get my email address from one of the weekly newsletter issues you receive each Friday. Or simply post a note in the comment section at the end of this article, asking that I respond to you with my contact information. I will then forward my email address directly to you, right away.

Your photos do not need to be professional quality, but they do at least need to be in focus. Along with your photos, remember to include the following information:

First Name
Last Name
City
State/Province/Region
Country
A Short Caption or Title for Your Photo

Each project or bead photo that you submit, counts as a separate entry into the draw. Multiple entries are allowed, and they do increase your chances of winning the prize… which, as you should know by now, is a gift package of polymer clay beads, handmade by me.

PHOTO: Giveaway Beads. Click here for details of prize package.

If you do send in multiple entries, the photos can not just be different angles of the same bead or project. You must actually make different items.

On Friday, January 22, I will publish the first round of photos received between now and then, in a separate post. And in that post, I will explain the next steps. But if you want to know all the steps up front, I did publish an outline last week, at this link: Contest Guidelines

By the way, January 22 is not the final deadline for you to send in your entry photos. This contest will extend into February to give everyone lots of time to participate. But please don’t procrastinate, or you may just miss out on the opportunity to win the prize beads.

liz d

I’d love to participate but am a bit nervous about showing my work to all you experts out there. I’m also not sure how to post the photos to you either.

No need to worry, Liz-D. We are all friends here. If you know how to email me your photos, then you can enter.

And as I said earlier, this is NOT a competition to decide who can make the most beautiful beads. It is NOT a popularity contest. And it’s NOT about who can take the best photographs… although by participating you will probably learn some helpful picture taking skills along the way.

What this fun initiative IS all about, is encouraging you guys to spend more time having fun with your clay and actually applying the techniques you are learning from the video tutorials in the PcT Store.

Our PcT Social Media Channels

This is amazing Silverleaf! I am so happy for you. Thanks for sharing this story and please keep us updated with the details of your ongoing Facebook adventure. It is very exciting!

By the way everyone, I would encourage you to follow Silverleaf’s lead here. Facebook attracts a huge amount of Internet traffic, so it is a great place to share your photos and stories with the world.

Flickr and Photobucket are also great sites that are free to use.

Has anyone else posted their contest photographs on any of these social networking sites, or on your own blogs? Please do let us know.

Thank you Cindy and Rose! I am pleased with the way my beads turned out, especially as the technique is one I haven’t tried before.

Oh and I had another couple of messages from people asking where they can buy my jewellery and if I do commissioned work. :) Yay!

I never thought of getting sales through Facebook. Maybe it’s worth a try for anyone else who wants to sell as well.

Cindy, I just reread the comments under the watercolor bead video & saw your response to someone else. I’ll try what you told her.

Silverleaf, your watercolor beads are gorgeous. Love the colors.
Cindy, I made some yesterday & had trouble getting the white & black edges to develop – they’re very thin. In one of the two colors I used, the line hardly formed at all. I rolled them in my hands quite a bit, but I’m wondering if my sheet of clay could have been too thin. Without seeing them, do you have any idea where I went wrong?

Oh and Helen… Hurray for you!!! I see that your Gravatar photo is now working. So that’s already a little WIN to feel good about. I know this was causing you some frustration further up in this thread.

@Peggy – to relax and have fun is the PERFECT way to participate in this contest. Thanks for saying that.

@Silverleaf – Your watercolour beads are GORGEOUS! And the sale you made, is like adding a cherry on top to make everything feel so worthwhile. I’m doing the happy dance with you right now. This is a great example of how good things can happen when you participate. And I LOVE it that you are sharing your pics with the world on Facebook. When I post the contest pics here at my site, I’ll only be able to post one photo per entry. So it’s going to be great for everyone to have the option to click through to your page to see your gallery layout of several photos, showing different angles and zooms of your work. Absolutely wonderful!

Oh, if anyone wants a sneak preview… facebook.com/album.php?aid=2341990&id=61107323&l=08cb20318f

Posted my pictures of watercolour beads on Facebook. I’ve just logged back in to find a message from a guy I went to school with asking if I sell jewellery as his daughter saw my necklace and wants a bracelet!

Yay Cindy, you got me a sale! :) *does a happy dance*

I’m nervous, excited and on pins and needles to get started. I don’t have any beads from Volume 14 but love those tuts. I have had an unexpected family guest show up and will be here till Thurs or Fri. So will be strapped for time but God willing I will try my best to make what I can but most important is I need to relax and have fun. It would be marvelous to win but it is an honor just to share with all of you my love for this. So I pray everyone first and formost have fun learning, and kick butt. No one is a loser in this contest. That is a big part of what makes it so fun to learn from Cindy. We are all winners just for trying and finding this blog and Tuts.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!
Love and Uuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggs, Peggy

I had a look through all the videos again. There are 24 videos on my “must try soon” list, a lot of which I’d forgotten about. Thanks for spurring me to find them again Cindy!

@Silverleaf – I like your “going to college” analogy. That makes a lot of sense. Can’t wait to see pictures of your watercolor beads!

@Holly – Welcome to the library! I’ve outlined instructions for you, just below, on how to access the Volume-014 Back Issue video tutorials in the members library.

After logging in with your username and password at the Polymer Clay Members Library web site (it’s a separate site from this blog web site), click on one of the “Back Issue” navigation links. There is a “Back Issue” link in the top navigation bar at the library site. And another one in the right side bar navigation column.

When you are at the Back Issue page, scroll down the page to the Volume-014 Package that you just purchased. There you will see a link preceded by these words in bold red text: “Or… If You Already Own This Volume…” which will get you to where you need to go. Please always remember that you must be logged in with your username and password for your paid content to show.

Hi, Cindy ~ I’m a brand new member- and just paid for your Volume-014 Raku tutorial. How do I find my videos and watch them? Thanks so much! Holly

I do see what you mean Cindy, it’s like when you go to college – some of the work you do will be in areas you have no interest in, but it gives you the background experience to move onto other subjects.

I’m not feeling well recently and haven’t done very much claying so I guess when I do get into my studio I just want to spend time playing with the techniques I really like, or trying out new ideas of my own.

I will try to look over the videos with new eyes, because you’re right in that sometimes you should do things just so you’ve done them.

So I made watercolour beads today, as usual I had to put my own spin on the technique though!

I’m proud that apart from the white and black, everything I used was scrap clay or leftovers from another project. If I’d made a New Year’s claying resolution it would have been to try to use as much of my leftover clay as possible rather than just adding it to the (admittedly quite small) scrap pile. Like if I make a particularly nice Skinner blend it seems such a shame to waste the beautiful colours in the trimmings.

The watercolour beads are currently resting before I pierce and bake them.

@Silverleaf – In all of my tutorials, I try to appeal to both types of learners… those who like to follow step by step, as well as those more like you, who prefer the “I-did-it-my-way” approach. In both cases, it is still a great learning experience to try out all of the techniques. The quantities of clay I suggest to use in the tutorials are always small. And in many cases you can even size down from my suggested amounts. If the end result is not to your liking, you can always smoosh down and save the clay for future projects. There are so many uses for scrap clay… so nothing should ever go wasted. The other thing you should keep in mind is that by holding back from experimenting with your clay, you will often miss out on the happy accidents that seem to happen when you least expect.

@Tiffany – I’m so glad to hear you are excited about this. Your enthusiasm is contagious!

@Helen – First take a deep breath! Everything will be fine. There’s no need to worry about your Gravatar right now. It’s not needed for you to participate with this contest. What you will need to learn how to do is send your digital photos to me as “attachments” to your email. There are many many free tutorials on how to do this that you can find by doing a Google search. In the search box at the google.com web site, just typoe the “how to send photos by email” or “how to send photos as an email attachment” and you will find a lot of step by step information. And if that doesn’t work for you, ask a friend or friendly neighbour to come over and help. Chances are they will know how to do it.

@JoyceM: Perfect attitude! Thanks for encouraging Helen. If I’m not mistaken, “Just Do It” came from a little shoe company that some of you may have heard about ;D LOL.

@Cheryl – A gravatar is the little thumbnail photos that replace the sideways G logo beside your name. You can click on the link by my name for information on how to upload an image. It’s a free service that many blogs on the Internet use. And… from one teacher to another, thanks for your kind words :-)

Hi
I have no clue as to waht gravitar picture is- can some one please explain and tell me how to do it. It’s strange because there are some things I do very well with the computer but certian programs….

Cindy, I was really nervous too about the contest and sending in pictures but as a teacher myself i know the greatestsatisfaction is seeing your students putting into practice what you teach and it does not mater if there are mistakes because we’re learning. So I’m going to spend some time today making some beads.

Thanks again for the teaching, encouragement and support.

Helen,
I too had trouble figuring out how to put up my gravitar picture. I went through all the steps, but couldn’t figure out how to load it. I finally gave up, then the next time I got on this site, there it was. My picture was there. I still have no clue how it happened!

Helen, you are not alone in being nervous but no doubt a “one of a kind jewel”. As excited as I get about polymer clay this contest has me nervous also. I haven’t done any of the techniques in #14. I did make the hearts today. So now it will be on to the contest and see what happens. I keep hearing Cindy say “just do it”. Seems like I’ve heard that before. Recently I visited one of our family clayers website and I thought she had the cutest item for sale on ESTEY (?). It was the shape of a door with a doorknob and the word “BEGIN” at the top. I keep that in mind also. I haven’t tried Gravatar yet so you have one up on me. I’m just going to try and have fun and see what happens. Good luck to you.

Joyce M

Well this is going to be a real challange by me. I can’t even get my picture up on the Gravatar. I tried six times already and I don’t know what I did wrong. Pluuuus, I have never E-mailed pictures before.Everyone else is so excited and I’m a nervous wreck. Is there anyone else here like me, or am I a “one of a kind”?

Hmm, so which technique to try? I’ve done Jupiter beads but wasn’t happy with the way the colours worked so I’ll have to have another go. I haven’t tried any of the others yet, but the watercolour looks fun.

In my experience there are some techniques from Cindy’s videos that I haven’t tried because the finished beads just aren’t my style, and I think that my clay is just too precious to “waste” on beads I won’t like or use. That said, I do often take elements of various techniques and use them in other projects. A good example of this is the recent tribal cane – nothing wrong with it except that I don’t like it! But it did inspire me to use my extruder to build up a cane in the same sort of way, using the square die to build up a “pixellated” cane of the extra life mushroom from the Mario computer games! I love the retro computer games and I thought the cane would make cool keyrings and pendants and bracelets.

I am so glad the contest based on the Vol #14 Back Issue!!!!! I can’t wait to get started. This really is a great way to know what people are getting from your videos, and such an inspiration to get out that clay and play!!! Good luck to everyone, I know I am going to enjoy seeing all the pics of everyones work.
It will be interesting to see what each of us gets from a certain lesson. Cindy, you rock!!!!

Carolyn, I made some jupiter beads without older clay or leeching. I didn’t get the crackly effect, but gosh are they pretty anyhow. next time tho, I’ll leech.

Thank you Catherine, for understanding and restating the purpose of this contest. It really is all about providing you guys with motivation to use and practice the skills you are learning about each week. The techniques are not difficult. But to master them, you must actually DO them.

I love teaching. But what I love even more is seeing that my teaching is having a positive impact in your lives… no matter what the reasons are that inspired you to start up with polymer clay.

Not only will this contest give me positive reinforcement that my work as a teacher is making a difference, but it will also help each and everyone of you, to learn from, and be inspired by each other. I know ALL of you can accomplish great things!

Catherine, I also want to point out and add emphasis where you said, “…I know that you have now taken on a bigger load than what you are already carrying to get US to practice what you Teach!”

This is truer than many of you may realize. My workload in answering everyone’s questions here at the blog, and in getting the video tutorials prepped, filmed and published each Friday at the members library, is already a VERY taxing job.

But I know that if this contest turns out to be a hit with you guys, it will mean that more of you will end up becoming at least as passionate as I am (if not more), about this incredible art medium. So for that reason I am putting in the extra time, effort and energy to do this.

So to everyone reading… the ball is in your court now. The success of this initial contest event will determine whether or not I am able to continue to provide it as an ongoing members’ benefit.

Bottom line is, PARTICIPATION. Any fears or reservations that you may be holding onto… set them aside and just do it! :-)

@Carolyn – In regards to getting crumbly clay for making Jupiter Beads, you can leech out the plascticizers. See the Firming Up Soft Clay (Video #3 of 39) in the Polymer Clay Beginners Course. Your upcoming Church sale is going to be great!

Well, I finally got my studio back (granddaughter returned to college) and I will be reviewing my Vol 14 video and go with the torn paper bead. Thanks again, Cindy, because I know that you have now taken on a bigger load than what you are already carrying to get US to practice what you Teach! Your kindness of giving us a Reward for doing that is just another sign of your generousity! You’ve made it very clear that this contest is more about each one of us than just one superstar. I hope everyone really understands your intent and not nip pick if something during this contest doesn’t going as smoothly as you plan.

Having the feeling that it would be Vol. 14, I stayed up last night watching those videos. Since I’m new I don’t have much in the way of scrap clay, but maybe some of the firmer clay would work on the jupiter beads if I don’t do much conditioning – will have to try that. I am not familiar with raku, so the faux raku was real interesting. It looks like a fun thing to try. And the watercolor beads look like fun, too. Anyway, Cindy, your purpose for this contest will definitely be met by me. I don’t think these beads would have been high on my priority list of ‘must try’ beads had it not been for this contest. Maybe I can make then all big and clunky to go on those purse charms and key rings that I’ll be making for my sale at the church. That will surely give me an idea of what people think of them. The church gets all the money from the sales, but I get the input – so it is a win/win!

[FYI: For those who do not know, periodically I set up a couple table’s worth of my wire art at my church and sell after the services. Now I’ll be adding on my PC work and am real excited about this. My first showing of PC will be on 2/7. All the money goes directly to the church: sierracommunitychurch.org. It is kind of a one woman show, but I like to think of it as my ‘ministry’. There isn’t much else I am able to do to benefit others. I have made quite an investment in PC so I hope and pray it will be well received.]

Let the fun begin!!! I can’t wait to see photos of everyone’s work–I know I will be inspired to the max from this chance to see how others have applied the techniques Cindy has taught us. For me this is almost as important as the chance to win “Cindy Beads”.

Okay…I’ve purchased Vol. 14, watched the vids, and I plan on making some torn watercolor beads this afternoon. And maybe some jupiter beads. Unfortunately I don’t have the alcohol inks for the faux techniques.
Whoohoo! I’m all fired up about the chance to win some of Cindy’s beauties…!!!
Good luck everyone!!! :)

~Lisa

I am drooling !!!! I wish i did not have to go to my Day Job today.