Polymer clay is one of the most fascinating new ways to make jewelry. It is easy to work with and shape into any type of design that you can imagine. If you’ve always wanted beautiful one-of-a-kind items, then you will love polymer clay jewelry. Plus, you get to make it yourself which is both fun and rewarding. So how can you get in on some of the action? Below are some basic steps for making polymer clay jewelry to help you get started.

Designate a specific area of the home where you can work comfortably and where you can store all of your supplies. You will need a flat area where you can roll out your clay so you can work with it easier. Gather all of your supplies together. This would include a variety of different color clays and accessories. You will need tools for shaping the polymer clay and a special pan set aside for baking it in your oven. You will also need jewelry accessories such as chains, hooks and so forth.

After you have shaped your design and have everything the way you like it, then it’s ready for firing. Polymer clay can be baked right in your over but you need to make sure you keep all the items used separated. Baking the clay hardens the piece so it will maintain its shape and be durable enough to wear. Let the jewelry cool down and then add your chains, earring hooks and other accessories. Now it’s time for showing off your beautiful creations. When working with polymer clay always follow safety precautions and make sure that you keep it away from food items at all times. Keep any tools used separated and placed in their own designated area when not in use.

A mosaic is a picture or decoration made of tiny pieces of “tesserae, “colored stone, glass or other material, which are inlaid onto a backing to form a design. These pieces are cut into squares, triangles, or other shapes, which is an effort in itself. These tesserae are then pasted onto such things as vases, to more intricate designs inset into tables, walls, floors or ceilings, on fireplaces or even out in your pool.

Organizations For Mosaic Artists Many organizations exist today to further the cause of the mosaic – which is flourishing today as much as it did thousands of years ago. The Society of American Mosaic Artists has a web page, as does the Institute of Mosaic Art. Individual mosaic artists also have their own web pages, of course, or there are cooperatives such as Mosaic artists. There’s even a mosaic webzine, Mosaic Matters. History of the Mosaic Mosaics have been found as early as 4000 BC, in a palace in what was then Macedonia. Roman families also decorated their villas with mosaics. Some of the most well-known mosaics today were found in the excavated cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, in Italy. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is also embellished with beautiful mosaics.

The Alexander Mosaic, also known as the Battle of Issus, is one of the most famous mosaics in the world. It dates from approximately 200 BC, and depicts the battle between the forces of Alexander the Great and Darius III. It measures 19 X 10 feet, and contains over one and a half million tiny tesserae! In 2003 a copy of this mosaic was made. It took 22 months to finish the mosaic. It is fascinating to look closely at these mosaics to see the “pointilism” involved in the depiction of the figure of an animal or human being. Each small square of color must be precisely placed and the colors graduated precisely to give the image of realism. There’s no question that a mosaic vase, table or wall hanging will be a lovely addition to your home.