Cheers! Holiday Polymer

I am horrible at Christmas Cards.  I never get them done in time, and we take our kids annual Christmas picture, usually on Christmas Eve.  That's how I roll.  

I do however try to make a little something for my friends and family each year.  Usually, its a special Christmas ornament.  This year, I wanted to do something different for them.  Since a few of them are wine drinkers (ok, ok, all of them are!) I thought wine toppers could be cool.  I wasn't sure how they would turn out, but hey, I have polymer, and picked up some corks.

Well, after three leisurely play days in the studio, I have wine toppers-

AND I LOVE THEM!

Here they are before I glued them, all set up ready to go in the studio.  

And here they are all finished and ready for gifts!

(I definitely need to make these to sell as well)

How did I make them?

I created the polymer pieces first, baked and finished them.

Then I drilled a hole in the bottom as well as the cork.  

I fitted in a 14g wire so it attached both of them securely.

Then I mixed up my 2 part epoxy, took them apart one at a time, and glued them.

To ensure a good bond, I tied string around them so the connection was nice and firm.  

I could NOT be more happy, and now they will have something they can use year round...ILO just at the Holidays. 

I never get tired of what you can do with Polymer Clay!

Sea Glass Drilling and Kits

Did you know that I have a free sea glass drilling tutorial on my website?  It even has a link to a video (sort of armature, seeing how my young daughter shot the film, still helpful though).

http://stacilouise.blogspot.com/2011/06/btw-drilling-sea-glass-tutorial.html

I love being able to drill my own sea glass, shells and stones.  It has opened a whole new world for me.

I am selling some kits of seaglass and drill bits at a discounted price on my facebook page this week.  

https://www.facebook.com/stacilouiseoriginals?ref=br_tf

To drill sea glass you will need:

a cordless dremel
diamond drill bits
pencil
cross lock pliers (you can hold it with your fingers too, some people prefer that)
collet to fit the bits (mine I sell use 1/16")
sea glass
water
a dish to drill in with water in it

The kit only has two diamond tip drill bits (the ones I use and love) and sea glass-jewelry quality, in a variety of sizes and shapes and colors.  The rest is up to you.  Each 2x3" bag is filled with pieces! They are usually $25 per bag, but will be only $15 each this week.  You don't get to pick which bag you get, but they are all great with nice pieces for your jewelry creations.

ALL SEA GLASS IS GENUINE AND JEWELRY GRADE

I am also selling supplemental bags - regularly $20 each- of just sea glass, no drill bits, and they will be only $15 each (plus shipping, details on facebook).  These are great prices for jewelry grade sea glass!!!  

The winter is my favorite time to drill- since I am indoors more, it is fun to pull out my summer treasures and create things with them.

Take advantage while you can!  Supplies are limited!

Look at the fun you can have with drilling your own glass!