Today I worked on and finished the beadwork on my faux jade charms fringy bracelet. I’ve ordered some brass and silver Chinese coin charms from Fire Mountain Gems and they should be arriving sometime this week. I want to make a clasp with one of the coins.
The fabric is a painted and stamped piece from an Art Day with friends in June. I really enjoyed transforming a white piece of muslin into colorful fabric.
Using Aleene’s Jewel-it, I glued some polymer clay pieces onto Pellon Peltex 70, an extra firm stabilizer I purchased at Joann Fabric’s. I’m hoping it’s not too stiff for the beadwork I’ll be adding around the pieces. I’ll also probably tone down the white color with some fabric paint. Has anyone ever used this for beadwork?
This first piece was created from a cane I made a long time ago at one of my guild meetings. My friend, Judy, showed us how to make this cane. I think it’s a variation of this scrap feather cane. I didn’t reduce the cane and stretched a slice over some scrap clay to make what looks to me like a cocoon. When I bead around it, I want to enhance its organic feel. It will probably turn into a pendant.
This polymer clay cabochon was created from the mokume gane stack I used to make these earrings. Another pendant, perhaps for a free-form necklace.
More pieces from that mokume gane stack. These will be made into earrings.
Art and Tea 
interesting to see, thanks
I have used Peltex and I really like it as well as Lacy’s Stiff Stuff. The price is right and you can get it in larger pieces. I’ve dyed some to tone down the white.
Your bracelet looks great and I can’t wait to see what you do beading-wise with these cabs.
Thanks Libby for your kind comments about my bracelet and your feedback about the Peltex. Yes, I found it to be priced lower than the Lacy’s and it’s so readily available at a store in my town. Plus Joann’s sends coupons in the mail!
Thanks Dean for taking the time to visit and leave a comment.
Gorgeous Bracelet! And wonderful polymer clay work!
Thanks so much Lynn for your kind comments!
I frequently use Peltex and a stiffened felt called EasyFelt that I get at Michael’s or Joanne’s. It comes in many different colors so you don’t have to paint it. Just don’t get the one with the sticky back. It’s hard to get the needle through it. I even use the EasyFelt to make soft cuffs with bead embroidery.
Arline
Thanks so much Arline for taking the time to share that helpful information. I really appreciate it!
Karen… well, as usualy.. you’ve created another beautiful piece… love it.. and everyone, it’s more beautiful in person.
Thanks so much Judy for your supportive positive comments! I’m pretty pleased with this one. 🙂
I love your pieces. So beautiful. The colors, astounding. Thanks for sharing them with us.
My pleasure, and thank you for your wonderful comments!
Oh, wow! That bracelet is incredible!
I use Peltex 70 a lot. The thickness is not all that different from the Lacey’s Stiff Stuff. I will be interested in knowing how well that Aleene’s Jewel-It adhesive works in keeping the cab on the Pelltex.
Cool projects, Karen!
Kathy V in NM
Thanks Steph!
Thanks Kathy! That’s good to know about the Peltex, thanks for your feedback about that. So far, the Jewel-it is holding the cabs in place and it’s been really humid here. Hopefully, it continues until I bead them. 🙂
Karen, I love your jade charm bracelet ! The colors and beadwork are marvelous. Speaking of cabachon backings, I just got one yard of this stuff called ‘Timtex’ from a bead and polymer artist I met on Flickr. I paid $11.50, including shipping. I haven’t used it yet, but it’s very similar to Lacy’s Stiff Stuff, and a lot cheaper. I’ve glued clay cabachons with ‘Crafter’s Pick Ultimate Craft Glue’, and it works very well
Thanks Dora! Actually, I originally went to Joann’s to get Timtex but they were out of it and the sales clerk suggested the Peltex as a substitute. Yes, a lot cheaper, for sure. She thought they were pretty similar and that the Peltex would work for beading. Thanks for sharing the info about that glue!
[…] Yesterday was a wild weather day with severe thunderstorms moving through the area most of the afternoon. We even lost power for a couple of hours. Our black lab Jack, was glued to my side while I sat and started the beadwork around one of my mokume gane polymer clay cabochons. […]
Pretty bracelet. 🙂
Sara
Thanks Sara!