New Ideas

At the moment I'm experimenting with some new techniques in jewellery making - notably polymer clay.  It's great fun and easier than it looks to achieve beautiful effects.  It's also easy to make a muddy mess!  I'm sure I'll find a use for all the scrap clay.
This was my first effort

 These beads were made with a jellyroll cane.  It's very simple, made by layering 2 colours of thinly rolled clay, and rolling it up, then cutting it up.  I made some of it into a triangle shape, and used up the leftover bits by making a few bicone beads (at the front of the photo)
As you can see, I had some trouble varnishing them - I did it eventually by making another cardboard stand with narrower spaces so the pins stayed put. 
I realise now,  from Maxine Veronica,  that I need to get cocktail sticks or toothpicks, and use some of that scrap clay for a stand to hold up the sticks.
I've also since discovered some rather clever wax polish that buffs them nicely and is a good alternative to varnish.
I've posted this batch of beads off to my 9yr old granddaughter who also likes to make jewellery.
My next attempt wound up looking nothing like the picture in the book but ended up looking really nice so I've made those up into a necklace.  I'll post a picture of it later, and will keep you up to date with my efforts.