New Video - A Pair of Shoes in Every Color

Here's the latest in the FPTV series - Shoes in Every Color! This technique can be used on new, slightly used or even to decorate and jazz up flip flops!




Feel free to use this video on your blog...help us get the word out on Friendly Plastic.
We now are on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube also has a Friendly Plastic group that will feature (eventually) all the videos related to Friendly Plastic. If you have a video that you'd like to share in the youtube group please feel free to do so.

I got a little carried away.....................

I've had many little bumps and detours through my creative career. But in hindsight, they all had a purpose. Designing is really different than creating. When you create....you let yourself go...anything goes...who cares if your technically "NOT" supposed to use "whatever" in your work.....it's your world...create with it!....

Designing is different....with designing for manufacturers you have to think about the consumer...the trends...the product...the skill level....and that's when it becomes a job! No, Im not complaining or whining at all...because I love the job....I HAVE to create!...but..it does make it easy for you to get tunnel vision and lose your sense of "whatever goes".

Because my focus is not so much on polymer clay anymore..(don't worry, that's my first love)..and has changed directions to Friendly Plastic, that bump...or shall I call it a bump-ortunity...has led me outside of my usual comfort zone to experience soooo many other mediums. It was like the most wonderful slap in the creative face if you can imagine that. The world of Friendly Plastic pellets is so undiscovered....and so that has led me to many "what if" days.

The most recent opportunity I have before me, is designing and working on my next book called "Beading in No Time". It will be the latest in a series of books by Cico Publications and due out next spring.

I love this challenge, because its about "jewelry"...."beading"....and everything that encompases it. It's given me permission to create once again....

The book will be filled with all sorts of techniques from simple and about an hour to more delicate beadweaving and stitching. Now...because I'm impatient and I want my results RIGHT THIS SECOND....none of the beadweaving I do is extensively long....but the effects are stunning. So ....if you've ever wanted to learn how to weave beads...but thought it was too involved...there will be something great for you in this book.

Another resurgance in the craft industry is wire wrapping....I think I've found another passion! The free flow of wire and wondering what it will look like is like seeing your newborn for the first time....some have hair.......some are bald.......some wirewrapping is ornate and gaudy...and other is bald and simple.....

So here's my journey yesterday in designing rings for the book....not all the rings will be featured.....but a good majority of them will be....so.....hope you enjoy.!

This one is for my mom...... (she doesn't know it yet......so if you know her....don't blow the secret please! :o))
The color of this green is so lusciously tropical....may just have to keep this one for myself....Im in a real green mood lately...and Orange too....but I have no orange in my wardrobe? I think thats code for go shopping for more clothes...what do you think?

This is just a simple wire wrap....it could be a birthstone, baby ring or toe ring...

Here's where I got carried away...and I didnt even photograph them all.!!!...

This is better than goin to the spa!....(well...almost!) But instead of Calgon taking me away.....I think I'll say..."Beads...take me away!"

Peyote Stitch meets Friendly Plastic

I try to do simple and plain....but I just can't! Originally this was to be a simple peyote stitch bangle bracelet....but........That little piece of Friendly Plastic that I've had laying around beside me since the Road trip was calling ...."Pick me! Pick me!"

It's a touch of vintage inspired by Jana Ewy...and a touch of me.....inspired by ....well....all the luscious peyote beading that I see in the magazines.

I had so much fun creating this bangle bracelet...the whole process was relaxing, destressing and just plain therapeudic! Gather your FP scraps, take apart some old jewelry and re-purpose it!

Need a stress free day??? Get out the beads and create!

PROJECT of the MONTH CLUB Projects available for download

Is this summer going by as quick for you as it is for me??? Goodness!

Here are the next in the series of Project of the Month Clubs now available.


I thought you might enjoy a change of pace and learn to use casting resin. This project is so versatile it is as addicting as polymer clay and Friendly Plastic.

Next for the Polymer Clay Project of the month club, I decided to create an adorable kitten. Inspired by all the kittens I have running around outside. This project really highlights the Six Simple Shapes technique so you can make this as simple or as complex you want...it's your world! So Clay In IT!

Enjoy this months projects...and before you know it....I'll be sending you the next set!

Life is happening.....

Let me applogize for being late with the POM projects this month...the 4th of July...and now..I've got tons of family from both sides coming for the weekend for a pop visit! AAAHHH!!! And then...my phone broke! Seriously...20 years ago this wouldn't have even come up into my mind...now I can't live without my phone...and texting...

We interupt this blog post for a personal message...Alex...sorry you're sick and hope you feel better today! Call your Mom! - Miss you and love you!...I dont have texting and, you know kids, that's the only way they communicate so...I figured since he keeps up with the blog he'll get the message.....Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Well...just so you know I did make progress on the projects yesterday. The jewelry club will be featuring resin jewelry...so not a quick process...but ohhhh so fun.....and the Pom club is an adorable little kitten...inspired by ....all my adorable little kittens. Its a basic beginner project, but does involve the SSS technique so it's a great but attainable challenge for all the beginners.

Okay...now on with today's post...

During the Friendly Plastic Colorado Road Trip this past February, I played around with all kinds of FP techniques, from those I discovered in pellets to those developed by Jana Ewy. I love wire wrapping so I finished this piece with a little wire embellishment and gave it to Jen thinking no more about it....

Until yesterday, when she blogged about some other beads and pieces that I gave her, that she embellished. Today, she posted about a FP necklace I gave her and added fine silver metal clay die cuts to high light it...a great combination! Okay...why didn't I think of it???

Jen will soon be teaching at the Metal Clay conference in Chicago. Which is worth mentioning, because wouldn't Friendly Plastic be a perfect compliment to fine silver metal clay??? OOHH...more ideas!

Enjoy her post and jump on over to her blog for more ideas!

Linda Peterson blogged today about how I used a bracelet she gave me, added fine silver and made it match a set.

So I decided to see how many days in a row we can bounce from my blog to hers! LOL!!!

I needed a sample of fine silver on Friendly Plastic. Now seriously....I have a ton of FP around here....but I decided to take a piece that she made and gave to me and alter it by adding fine silver!




Turned out pretty cool!

Now, if you are tired of jewerly....just ignore my blog for the next several days! I have tons and tons of samples to post and share....I have been a jewelry making machine!