Texture your trash

Dayle Doroshow’s oversized paper beads (these are each about 1 1/2″ wide) echo exotic, tribal themes.

Dayle admits they’re made from the tail ends of her polymer projects, simple tall triangles rolled onto a fat skewer and then flattened with stamps and textures. Paints and powders and whatever is handy add the final effect.

Since Dayle and I are playing together this week, we’ve decided to giveaway one of our Creative Sparks books signed by both of us. Dayle shares how she developed habits and tricks that tease her back into the studio when she’s stumped or stewing.

Leave us a comment and we’ll dash an autographed book off to the winner on Friday.

  • reply Mary Holland ,

    What a very clever way to use scraps. I’m looking forward to trying a few of these too!

    • reply Trudi ,

      I enjoy your blog everyday, and am so impressed by the wonderful work that you feature! I am new to working with polymer clay, and it provides great inspiration. I’d love to be inspired by your book, and would be honored to win.

      • reply Robin Torgerson ,

        I live in a small town in the desert. PCD keeps me connected with other polymer clay artists. It is my life line!!!
        Thanks so much!!

        • reply Nancy ,

          Scrap clay can be such a gift, can’t it? Thank you for posting…. sometimes I wish I could just travel along in your pocket and see all of your collaborative process.

          • reply Bette Lorman ,

            I loved the preview of the book. Great pictures and wisdom too!
            This is my kind of book. I have to win!!!

            • reply Jayne Dwyer ,

              I have many books on polymer clay. It seems each one has given me at least one invaluable tool I’ve used throughout my 15yrs of caning. I look forward to more wisdom from the godesses! Now is the time to let go of the Easter chocolate and recycle some of that scrap clay!

              • reply Charline Ahlgreen ,

                I really enjoy your column – I find new inspiration every day! And now there’s a way to actually do something with all of this scrap clay I wind up with – nirvana!!

                • reply sandra grudzen ,

                  Some of my best beads have come from scraps of clay. I love using them.

                  • reply m. rosselot ,

                    very neat and wonderful idea, next time I amin dud zone this is what I am going to do. thanks

                    • reply Jay Williams ,

                      Those scrap clay ‘paper’ beads are a great idea. Just wish I knew where she got those stamps. I really like the primitive artifact look. Just looking at the preview got some sparks flying, looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing.

                      • reply Silvia Ortiz de la Torre ,

                        I’m a scrap lover, but not intentionally. When I’ve just finished a work, I use to “play” with it, without thinking…itΒ΄s relaxing! I’m not lucky at any raffle but I must try, I have a chance πŸ™‚

                        • reply Jen ,

                          This is a great post! Scraps are always sitting there in a pile waiting to turn into something…a little texture goes a long way!
                          Jen

                          • reply Marlene ,

                            Marvelous and very clever! Wish my scraps looked that good!

                            • reply Donna Bourdon ,

                              This is a new way to use my scraps, and I will enjoy making your beads,
                              Thank You Donna

                              • reply Barb Rutter ,

                                Since I can’t find any classes on polymer clay I have to depend on books to help me learn about techniques and tips. This book looks awesome to help me expand my knowledge. I love the idea using the scraps!

                                • reply Kathryn Savickas ,

                                  I caught a glimpse of your book at our last MDPAG (Metro Detroit Polymer Art Guild) meeting – saw it just long enough to start drooling and then it was snatched back before I could do any damage or get a good look…
                                  Seriously, I love working in clay (3 years) but it’s so different from stained glass (30 years). Being inspired with something original in clay can be harder than glass for me – it’s a whole new medium with so flexibility for creativeness. I’d love a copy to help me create ‘wow” projects with that great “pop” factor. (Two words I have learned in classes with PC artists.)
                                  All the best,
                                  Kathryn

                                  • reply Pud Kearns ,

                                    Looks like a wonderful book from the preview. Congratulations!

                                    • reply Terry Fleig ,

                                      Very clever idea to put scrap clay to good use by making texture the focus! I “flipped” through the Creative Sparks book online and it looked fabulous. Greedy little me hopes I win. I am loving the newsletter, too: gives me something to look forward to in my email.

                                      • reply Patrice ,

                                        I love using scraps…I just made some rings I call “cupcake rings” due to their shape, but all the clay was scrap clay that I used from other projects. These beads are really cool. I love the idea of texturing them with stamps.

                                        • reply Helene ,

                                          I love these. What a wonderful way to clear off the work space. I’d love the book if I’m lucky enough to win.

                                          • reply Laura ,

                                            πŸ™‚ I smile because I just made paper beads from PC too! Next time I’ll squish and texture to add a little flare. Organic, earthy, primative are good words to describe such wonderful effects. Claying makes me happy. Thanks for the inspiration!

                                            • reply B Wheeling ,

                                              Funny thing was that I rolled some triangles last weekend and played with them, rolling them into pods, dipping them in Lumiere and then sanding the paint off to leave just the barest hint of gold. Some of my happiest work comes out of just following where the clay takes me.
                                              I love these pieces!

                                              Beth, Miami

                                              • reply Barbara Briggs ,

                                                Great idea! Just glue a pinback to the textured odds and ends and you have a nice piece of wearable art!

                                                • reply Barb Alexander ,

                                                  Oh…..I’m seeing buttons! These are like flattened toggles but more interesting with the deep texture. Great inspiration – thanks for revving me up. This is another thing I love about polymer clay – no waste, just opportunities to re-work.

                                                  • reply Birgit Schult ,

                                                    I am very new in this business. But I have not discovered any trash. Everything is usable. I use even micro crumbs on the “abominable” bic pens. It’s fun and always good for a surprise. You are polyferific and I am curious about your book.

                                                    • reply Katie Thompson ,

                                                      I have only worked with polymer clay for a short time and I absolutely love it! I am 17 and most of my peers are not interested in this kind of craft or medium. I have “taught myself” mostly by using books and your website! I am thrilled with what I am learning and want to learn more! These beads are a good idea to keep in mind, too; I never know what to do with my Skinner blend scraps.

                                                      • reply Sue M ,

                                                        I’ve adored Dayle’s work for years and even had an opportunity to take a workshop with her several years ago. I’d love to own this book!

                                                        • reply Ellie Hitchcock ,

                                                          I always have a pot of “junk” clay on my work surface. Other artists at Spanish Village love to poke through it. Now I have one more thing to do with some of that clay. Great idea and so simple!!!

                                                          • reply Hollie Mion ,

                                                            Beautiful, as usual, Dayle! I wish I was there.

                                                            • reply Laurie Young ,

                                                              I’m new to the clay scene and so enjoy your site! The endless ideas swirling through my head keep me awake at night! So much nicer than nightmares though. Looking forward to tomorrows’ creativity – thanks for sharing.

                                                              • reply Charity ,

                                                                I love this blog, but I have to be choosy about when I read the latest post — if I’m not careful I spend at least an hour or so following the links, which leads to another, then another… and so on. πŸ™‚ It’s amazing that you can find something to post every day! I’d really love a copy of your new book, too, which is what has inspired me to finally comment. If I don’t win the drawing, I’ll definitely have to order me a copy!

                                                                • reply Diana McNamee ,

                                                                  Love your blog, I can only clay after the “other” job and I look forward to finding your wonderful tidbits (that I don’t have time to seach for on my own) in my mail box each day! I envy that you are able to play so much with such talented artists!

                                                                  • reply Jola Lott ,

                                                                    I am a newbie as far as polymer clay is concerned, so I love seeing all the different things that can be done with clay – even “scrap” clay. Would love to learn more!

                                                                    • reply Jainnie ,

                                                                      I love ideas using scraps of clay!! I really love the look of these and love the wonderful textures!!

                                                                      • reply Amy E Wallace ,

                                                                        Holy mackeral! I have a handful of tapered beads I wish I could turn into these. But I DO have a bunch of scraps and hundreds of textures to work with. Thank you for reminding me to open my tackle boxes from time to time!

                                                                        • reply Linda Loew ,

                                                                          As always, it’s lovely to see Dayle Doroshow make an appearance. And, as always, her beads are truly inspiring.
                                                                          I sure wish I were there playing with you guys!

                                                                          • reply Wendy DiMatteo ,

                                                                            I’m just getting started with Polymer clay and I would love a copy of your book. I like the rustic look of what you’ve done with your leftover clay.

                                                                            • reply Pamela ,

                                                                              What a lovely use of scrap clay!

                                                                              • reply chaun ,

                                                                                Oh wow! I have tons of scraps. Are there holes in these, so they can be used as beads or not?

                                                                                • reply chaun ,

                                                                                  Great scraps!

                                                                                  • reply Seth ,

                                                                                    Hey Cynthia,

                                                                                    Hi to you and Dayle! Jim says hi too. No need to put me in the drawing as much as I would love one of Dayle’s Beads I don’t want to take away from someone else’s chance to own something special just because I wanted to say hi to you two. Have a great visit together. I wish we could all get together again sometime.

                                                                                    • reply Martha ,

                                                                                      Great idea for scraps! Hope it’s a random drawing since I can’t come up with anything else to say:)

                                                                                      • reply Arlene Schiek ,

                                                                                        I find daily inspiration on this site…some days more than others of course but constant enough to be frequently calling me back to the workbench. Thank you for these latest “paper” beads. Ironically it’s one of the beginner beads I’ve never tried…think I may just have to remedy that…

                                                                                        • reply Denise Spillane ,

                                                                                          Love these beads. I was just showing off my copy of Creative Sparks last night at my Dallas Area Fiber Artists group. Every one loved it. Wish mine was autographed but I hope I will see you guys some time soon.

                                                                                          Denise Spillane

                                                                                          • reply Cindy ,

                                                                                            Hi, I wanted to say thank you for the time and energy you take every day to bring us a fantastic column. Thank you for a new idea for cane ends. Natasha beads can only keep us amused for so long, lol . Jk I never get tired of clay!!!

                                                                                            • reply Elementals Design Studios ,

                                                                                              I have always been somewhat of a purist with the materials that call to me.
                                                                                              That said, polymer clay is the one material (not stone, metal, glass, etc.) which continues to draw me back again and again.
                                                                                              There is something which continues to amaze and fascinate me endlessly about the stuff. When you are working with it, it can become *anything*; whatever your mind and creative spirit can dream up when you lay hands (and powders, and ink, and texture, etc. ;} on it.
                                                                                              Its potential is unlimited and I love it so; it defies my sense of purity and has become one of the more mystical and endlessly open-ended mediums I will likely ever encounter. I love it!

                                                                                              • reply RoseMary Broussard ,

                                                                                                I love the idea of using all parts of the clay scraps. I am just new to polymer and learning from a friend different ideas, including this website. I can see now that even the mistakes I make might turn out to be treasuers. A real inspiration!
                                                                                                Thank you!
                                                                                                RoseMary

                                                                                                • reply Lily's Treasures ,

                                                                                                  Lovely beads I love the antique look, and the darkened creases. I would love to learn from this book !

                                                                                                  • reply Suz Warren ,

                                                                                                    This book looks so fun!
                                                                                                    PS – I love your blog!

                                                                                                    • reply Carolyn ,

                                                                                                      Cool concept! Another example of one person’s trash being another person’s treasure.

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