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Tuesday 31 August 2010

Polymer Clay Disaster!

Over the weekend I made a lovely set of beads, I was really pleased with them.  I left them to harden up a bit overnight before I made holes and baked them.
So what did I do? I baked them without even making small guide holes for the drill (a small hand drill).  I've done that before and managed to make the holes afterwards, but it is always easier if I at least do guide holes.  When there are no guide holes you have to be careful to drill in from both sides or when the drill comes out the other side it can break off a chunk of clay.
I started with the largest bead and thought I was doing fine till the drill came out the other side and...  yes broke off a chunk of clay.  I was so cross.  It was only a small piece and I thought if I use a spacer at each side it won't show.   The middle size round beads drilled fine.  Then I started on the small beads and after the first three broke up completely when I started drilling I gave up!  I don't quite know why this happened but I have to just put it down to experience.
The photo isn't very good - the background of the beads is pale green.  I'm hoping I can make some more but the pale green was mixed from white and a bit of left over leaf green so I don't expect I'll be able to match it exactly.  Of course I should be really organised and record proportions and keep samples of mixed colours but I've never been that organised...
Oh well, onward and upward... well onward anyway!

8 comments:

dawn said...

Oh poor you, the colours are really pretty :) I never record proportions either, I have tried, but before I know it I am adding this that and the other, and forgetting to write it down :)

Unknown said...

lol glad I'm not the only one! I may be able to salvage some of them...

Anonymous said...

They are so nice too!

Jo said...

Aww sweetie! *hugs* There's nothing more frustrating than finding that you've accidentally forgotten to do something during the construction process. Do hope you can salvage most of them as they are sooo pretty. Pity there isn't a way of enclosing them inside a 'cage' or something so you wouldn't need to drill holes - but then that'd mask the delicate design. *more hugs*

A Casual Crafter aka Cindy said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I am terrible at keeping records of what colors how much and everything else. Most everything I do is OOAK because I have this terrible time trying to make things "match".

Your beads are beautiful! Never a disaster but more of an opportunity to exercise your creative side. What about wrapping them with wire and stringing them that way? Use bead caps glued onto them and hang them that way? Scour the internet you are sure to find something to do with them that intrigues you and shows them off!

Beth - Doodlecats said...

Oh no!

I did that the other day but thankfully only with two from a batch. It's so annoying!

They're lovely colours though. Hope you're able to recreate them!

Vic at Blossom and Snowflakes said...

They're really lovely. I feel for you! I always mean to record colours, but never do... sometimes manage to save a small sample though. Hope you find something to do with them! Let us know... Vic x

Bedecked Beads said...

What a shame, these are lovely beads!

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