Vol-025-3 Faux Agate Domed Coin Beads PcT Tutorial (Intro)
Video #160: “How stunning your agates are, Cindy. I’d l-e-r-v-e to learn how to make them.” ~Mary-U
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** This post is an introduction to one of our paid tutorials.
Faux stones are so much fun to make with polymer clay because there is just no end to the possibilities! So many different types and colors you can copy, including Faux Agates.
MAureen g
Very beautiful Cindy! Love it! Would also like to see you do a tutorial on how to make the agate stones.
phaedrakat
I’d welcome a tute on the Faux Agate. I think the domed coin-shape of the beads is great, too. It would be awesome to learn some tips on how to make these easier. Thanks for everything you do, Cindy. You’re such an inspiration!
carolyn k
“Cindy, your agate is beautiful, the colors are so well coordinated. The colors remind me of the ocean, even though I am a North Dakota land dweller. Being an aquarius I am drawn to the ocean. This would make a great tute. Love to have you teach this one.
Transcript coming soon...
Transcript coming soon...
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Hi Cindy
Just looking for a little advice as a new polymer clay artist. I love these beads and you do such an amazing job with the tutt’s.
I made my first batch but noticed that the translucent darkened quickly when i was curing it. Not burning but color darkening. Is this usual with translucent clay or did i not put enough translucent in the cane?
Thank you for your time and advice in advance.
Justine :o)
You probably did it right Justine. All Translucent clays can darken a bit. Regular Premo Translucent tends to go a little yellow and Sculpey Translucent can go a slight brownish color, especially if it gets too hot. Premo White Translucent formally known as Frost and Fimo Classic Translucent, tend not to darken as much and stay whiter. Tenting with cardstock can also help. (Type ‘tenting’ into the search box at the top of the page to learn more about that.) Even if the clay darkens a bit, it is still pretty for faux stones like these, so don’t worry. Glad you are having fun. Love hearing from you!
Hi Gerri – I noticed that you are not subscribed at my Polymer Clay Tutor Video Library to receive the weekly video classes/assistance each Friday. If you are interested in more info about this option, follow the link by my name. It will take you to a comment that outlines both the free resources available here, as well as the (very reasonably priced :-) paid content. Hope this helps, ~Cindy
JUST POSTED… Member project photos that relate to the theme of this page… Faux Agates.
You can view the larger images by clicking on the link by my name.
BTW: Thanks to everyone above, who took the time to comment in this thread. Your feedback, support and engaging conversations are always such a wonderful part of my day. Although I don’t get a chance to address everyone individually, please know that I do read everything. ~Cindy
Carolyn, you just hang in there and everything will work out for the best. Felt like you twice in my life, the first time after divorcing a cheating spouse, and the second, when give the permanent and total pain disability diagnosis.
Felt like I was walking around in a fog both times. Faith helps, pulled back in some of the devote Roman Catholic training. Grace, dignity, kindness, all that stuff.
Eventually, the issues fall from you like concrete blocks, and you are free and reborn. Getting to that point tests you.
You will though. Putting my money on you as a winner. And a soon to be great polymer clay artist…..
Carolyn, Silverleaf is our scientist, so what she said about dogs not liking litter boxes is probably completely accurate. However, I do have a friend with a Chihuahua and he has used a litter box since he was a pup. She’s always had little dogs and says that her other dogs used the litter box as well.
@Linda K.: Thanks, Linda, it is good to hear all sides. I would imagine that to litter box or not to litter box depends on what the pup is raised with.
Right now I’m having enough trouble handling me without thinking more about getting a puppy. My health is kicking me around quite a bit. Today has been one for the worst pain in a long while … low pressure system over Lake Tahoe … and bad news from osteoporosis doc had me in tears. This too shall pass. I know the Lord is with me, but His trials and tests are sometimes hard to handle. I’m sure He is working on strengthening me for a reason … for a season.
@carolyn: So very sorry to hear you got bad news. You are a strong woman of faith, and I’m sure there is a reason for whatever is going on. I’m praying for you still—poor thing you’ve been through so much already this year! Hang in there, and be strong. We promise not to unload any dogs or puppies on you just yet! Might I suggest a cat, though? (Just kidding! –not funny) Take care, Carolyn, and please do not do too much. Take it slow. You were in the hospital for so long, and then went off on vacation. I know you want to keep busy and remain active, but please don’t overdo it. We care about you, and want you to stay healthy! You’re in my prayers, ~Kat
@carolyn: Well, then you need to slow down and take care of yourself. Did you know that dogs are good medicine?
@Linda K.: Liiinnndaaa!
@Phaedrakat: OK, I’m a bad girl!
@carolyn: Carolyn, I’ve added you to my prayer list as well. Hope you’re feeling better real soon. ~ Tanya
@Tanya L: Thank you so much, Tanya. I am in need of a great deal of prayer. I’m going through a rather rough period in my life and feel so helpless and so overwhelmed by life and its problems. How I miss my dear husband. I guess I never realized how many problems he just quietly solved without my knowing there even was a problem. He was very talented … there never was anything that he couldn’t fix … at least not that I know of. To those of you who have spouses, enjoy and appreciate each moment that you have together. I did, but our time was just too short … we only had 43 years together. Now my health, my house, and my motorhome all have problems … some fixable and others will just take time and creativity and lots of prayer. My goodness, I did get kind of carried away, didn’t I. I do want to thank all of you who have and continue to prayer for me. Please don’t stop.
@carolyn: There IS no getting carried away here Carolyn, is there? You’ve got friends here who care as much about how you feel mentally as how you feel physically, and what you’re dealing with in life as well as in mind. I saw that as soon as I found this site and starting reading posts. That’s one of the reasons I love it here!
Jocelyn’s right- just hang in there! My “mantra” when I’m in severe pain is to take it a day at a time. When that’s too long I change it to an hour at a time. Or even a minute at a time.. And lean on your friends~ that’s what they’re for! You definitely give back at least as much as you get, if not more!
@carolyn: I feel for you sweetie. Tanya’s right, there is no reason to feel like you’re getting carried away, when you’re reaching out to us for support. It will take time and readjusting to figure out your new life. It has only been a year. Take a moment at a time. A project at a time and a task at a time. Maybe sit down and make a plan for yourself. What you want from your life. What you don’t want and how things fit into it. It will all come together once you decide what you want and what you need. We are all here for you. You are going to be OK.
@carolyn: Carolyn, I’m praying that you find relief from your health issues, and problems with your house and motor home. I know that you will always miss your husband, but I pray that you can experience a feeling of peace rather than loss when you think of him.
Hi Cindy,
I just watched a preview of your agate beads, so so cool. Would it be possible to do a video of the ring you made with it. I think it’s really neat.
Thanks in advance.
Deborah E.
Cindy or others, do you think it would be possible to make coin bead molds to use for this clay? How would you do it?
My hands can only go so far, and wet, tiny crimping and repitition seem to be the kill factors. Do you think softer clay is needed for the agate if it must be molded?
Love the coin look, and they shine up easily in the Lortone or by hand. Folks who buy them love the substantial chunky feel and weight of the piece. One antied up that she inserted weights in her beads internally so that they mimicked or surpassed the weight of similar stone. She said they automatically sold for more, heavier substance. Hmmmm.
If you set these using strong glue to magnets, you could keep a scarf accented and arranged, or a pocketbook adornment.
This video was worth the couple week wait. Wow.
Cindy or others, do you think it would be possible to make coin bead molds to use for this clay? How would you do it?
My hands can only go so far, and wet, tiny crimping and repitition seem to be the kill factors. Do you think softer clay is needed for the agate if it must be molded?
Love the coin look, and they shine up easily in the Lortone or by hand. Folks who buy them love the substantial chunky feel and weight of the piece. One antied up that she inserted weights in her beads internally so that they mimicked or surpassed the weight of similar stone. She said they automatically sold for more, heavier substance. Hmmmm.
If you set these using strong glue to magnets, you could keep a scarf accented and arranged, or a pocketbook adornment.
@Jocelyn:
I created molds to use for this coin shape using some little wooden pegs I found near the wood molding at Home Depot. They come in a bag of 4-6 depending on the size. I pressed them into scrap clay and baked the mold. Then I rolled the “agate” into balls and set them on my work surface and brought the mold to the clay, which left them flat on the back. I used Premo and since they were molded, they finished very nicely just in the tumbler.
@Carlee N: Just what do you use in your tumbler? I’ve heard all sorts of suggestions but since this works for you I’d like to know what you use. I’m thinking of using the grits that I use on rocks. I’m just chicken to try.
@carolyn: Use just about anything in the tumbler, depending on what stage you are at and how experimental you want to be.
I started using screened beach sand, others, glass nuggets, others, the rocks you pick out of the small pea aquarium stones. Try what you have and see if it works. Maybe you’ll discover something new!
The best seems to be rounded aquarium stones, preselected to omit the dark ones (which stain or mark), the broken or rough (leave scratches). They work the longest the fastest and the best…getting your finish to the point where you don’t mind hauling out the Dremel for the final sand and buff. You need about 2/3 rds a container.
Search under “Lortone” and the Google here will pull up a ton of info on what folks have tried successfully.
@carolyn: I use river rock in my tumbler. I think one of the reasons I am so addicted to the faux agates technique right now, is using the moulds, they come out so smooth initially that it is very easy to get a nice finish. Plus is is another use for scraps which I love!
@Carlee N: Smart girl! I know exactly the pegs you mean too. Perfect, and thanks so much for the share!
@Carlee N: Hi Carlee, I couldn’t figure out what kind of pegs you were talking about, but then I did an image search and found mug pegs. Is that what you used? They look like the right shape to make awesome coin bead molds… Well, I guess even if I’m wrong, they should still work the same way! Thanks so much for the cool tip! :D
Oh, boy, time for bed! Sorry about my mess above…