Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Quizes: Just for fun!

I was on kat's blog today and came across two fun online quizzes. They are fun to do and quick as well. To go to Kat's blog click here.


1)
You get to pick what tarot card you are. For example I am....the link to take this quiz in on the bottom of mine.


You are The Moon


Hope, expectation, Bright promises.


The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.


The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.


2) The second quiz you determine what word you are. I am....again if you want to take this quiz too feel free to to click the link on the bottom! :)






Your Word is "Peace"



You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of.

Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you.



While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life.

You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's Your Word?

Hope you like these quizzes and feel free to post your results in comments. :)

Technique Time: Basic Beads Part 1

Polymer clay can be very easily used to make a variety of beads. I will be doing different parts for this as there are so many things to learn when it comes to polymer clay beads! For this first part, I will show you how to make some common, and basic beads.


Why should I use Polymer Clay Beads?

Many people would rather just make a pendant, and not have to make lots of beads to go with it. Making beads though, especially from scrap polymer clay from a pendant, is an easy way of making sure you have coordinating colors on a necklace. The beads can also make a necklace all on there own for a bold, chunky look. They are great as rings, and bracelets as well as parts to sculptures.

How Do I Make Polymer Clay Beads?

There are several different shapes one can make with polymer clay for beads. We will start out with the most basic, a round bead.

A) Round Bead:

1) To make a round bead one simply takes a chunk of polymer clay and rolls it between their palms, until it is round and smooth all seams blended well.



From the round bead above you can make other beads easily, it is our base bead as it were.

B) Flat Round Bead:

1) Using the round bead you just made you can now make a flat round bead. You will need something flat with an even surface. I used an acrylic sheet, so I could see the results underneath. Tile or glass would work too.



2) Carefully press the acrylic sheet, or whatever you are using, onto the round bead. You do not want to press too hard or else it will be too flat.

Tip: Make sure you press with both hands with even force so the surface of the bead is also even.

3) Lift the acrylic sheet, and you should now have a flat round bead. Put a needle through it to make a hole and you are set to go.





C) Oval Bead:

1) Using the finished flat bead, carefully pinch the sides of the bead with your index and thumb as shown below.



2) Some spots will rise, and make the surface uneven, time to get out that acrylic sheet again! ;) Very gently press the now oval bead until it is even.



3) Put a needle through it once done pressing, and you now have a oval bead! These look great when paired with round beads.




D) Square Bead:

1) Starting with a round bead, one can make a square bead.

2) Pinch the sides of the round bead in with your index and thumb as shown below.



Now pinch the other sides still using your index and thumb until the shape is that of a square.

3) Put a needle through it to make a hole and you have a finished square bead.



One can also make these into diamonds simply by putting the hole through corner to corner, or try making a hole through the top to bottom. Square beads can be very versatile based on how you string them. :)

E) Tube Bead:

1) A tube bead is a skinny, long bead that looks like a tube. You start by rolling clay with your palm into a log or snake.



2) Then cut off a part of your rolled snake. Poke a hole with a needle and you have a basic tube bead.



These really help take up space in a necklace, and at times look like pasta. ;)


F) Twisted Bead:

1) Using the tube bead from above you can make a twisted version. Using your index finger and thumb on both ends of the tube bead twist it, and you shall get a twisted tube bead.



One can also take a different color of polymer clay and roll it into a skinny snake. Then wrap it around a tube bead. The picture below shows a partially wrapped tube bead.





My Final Words:

Polymer clay beads are very addicting, and can be easily made. Now the ones I did in this post are pretty plain, in the next part I will show how one can spruce them up using different materials, tools, and techniques. :)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Blog Contest: Win layouts, EC tokens, and more!

COME ONE, COME ALL, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO JOIN!

A JOINT BLOG ANNIVERSARY GIVE-AWAY CONTEST
JANUARY 25 to FEBRUARY 10, 2009
for the rules click here: Contest Rules

The list below is a copy of the wonderful sponsors of this contest, they deserve lots of appreciation so give them a hand!


1st PRIZE

$25 - c/o Random Thoughts
Customized Blog Layout (blogger platform) c/o My Web-Blog Designs
1 Swarovsky Bracelet c/o Yen's Handmades [Click here to see the ITEM]
$20 + 2000 EC credits c/o Windmill on the Hill
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o My Life's Journey to Success
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o Things I Did Not Know Before
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o Unique Ideas For Your Beach Weddings
2000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Night Clicks
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o NetFreeSource
3000 - EC credits c/o Random Thoughts
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Dashing Beauty
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Tales of a Pinay Single Mommy
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweety Tots

2nd PRIZE
$20 - c/o Mira's Web Journal
2500 - EC credits c/o Mira's Web Journal
2000 - EC credits c/o A Moment to Exhale
20GB Web Hosting c/o http://angelic-melody.net + 500EC credits
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o My Countryhome
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1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Samantha's Own
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1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweety Tots

3rd PRIZE
$15 - c/o A Moment to Exhale
3000 - EC credits c/o Big Boys Have Toys Too
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1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Kharlota dot Com
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1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from My Daily Sunset
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1 month text link ad Batuananons

9th PRIZE
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from Lovely Pink
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1 month text link ad Filipino Online Community

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1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from Hobby and Such by Carlota
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1 month text link ad from Nita's Corner

12th PRIZE
1500 - EC credits c/o A Moment to Exhale
1000 - EC credits c/o My Barefoot Journey
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