I first met Wendy Orlowski, a fellow Canadian and the owner of Shades of Clay at the Grand River Bead Society's Bead Fair last fall. It is a long standing international supplier of all things polymer clay. Wendy bought the business from the original owner, Margaret Scott who retired, back in 2013. Wendy explained, "I never did ask her how she decided on the name of the company……but I do know that she came up with it way before the infamous trilogy, 50 Shades of Grey!"
It's no surprise with the name. Polymer clay is the most colorful branch of the jewelry making world!
Wendy is also the creator of CaBezels (exclusive selection to Shades of Clay is here), unique see through molds for creating both the bezel AND the cabochon. I watched Wendy demonstrate how it worked and was delighted to see the possibilities - ideas starting buzzing around my head immediately. I bought one and Wendy gave me another to review:
Wendy has some instructional videos with more in the pipeline. Here is one which shows how she makes a lovely textured bezel using her all in one Cabezel molds.
Shown below are her wonderfully inspirational finished pieces which should get your creative juices going! (Click the image to see a larger version) :
CaBezels come in a great variety of shapes and sizes. The possibilities are endless!
How did I find the Cabezels? I loved the design potential but like everything, it took a little practice before I could make them properly. These round all polymer clay pendants were among my first efforts with the Cabezels.
You do need to practice to learn how to apply the right pressure to make the frame and the cabochons evenly. As you can see below, the almost transparent mold allows you to see where the clay is when the mold is placed upside down on the polymer clay sheet.
Some people are very good with the X-acto knife - they are able to make even and vertical cuts. But for others, including me, the easiest for clean, straight edges is to use the thin blade.
You can also bend the blade for the other shapes or you could use cutters if they work. I liked my round cutter which was slightly larger than the round bezel, it created a nice frame.
Wendy actually lifts off her work from the paper she uses. I found it best not to do so as you could accidentally distort the work while trying to get the clay off. So I worked on a suitable surface which I could then take to oven for baking. I used ceramic tile (this does leave shiny spots at the back), pieces of parchment paper or wax paper. My favorite is the parchment paper.
If you like making canes, then you'll be pleased to know the Cabezels will come in handy to show them off. A thin cane can be placed over the molded but unadorned cabochon. The decorative polymer clay is then pushed around the edge of the cabochon. Excess clay is trimmed off.
There are a couple of approaches to putting the cabochon and frame together. Try and see which you prefer. You can bake the frame first and then add the unbaked cane adorned cabochon and then bake it for a second time. The baked frame is then firm and will not distort while you are tucking in the cabochon part. This was the method I used for my blue framed round pendant above.
Or if you are careful, then by all means put both pieces together for a single bake. Just one thing to remember - if your cane is too thick, the cabochon will not fit well. You can try and tuck the excess in but you risk marking the unbaked frame so be careful. My black framed round pendant above has some tool marks at the 11 o'clock position because I wasn't careful enough!
I really, really had a lot of fun with the Cabezels. It was hard to stop making them. So tune in later this week for the tutorial where I take the Cabezels beyond the polymer clay world!
Giveaway
If you'd like to win a $25 gift certificate for something wonderful like the CaBezels from Shades of Clay, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Wendy is offering a wonderful discount for readers - 10% off with no minimum. Use this code : bgem10.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, February 13, 2017. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any product compensation.
Photography
I used natural light, my iPhone 6S with the ProCamera app and the Modahaus TS400 tabletop studio and the rostrum stand (overhead) for final product photography. The tutorial pictures were taken with the same equipment but with artificial lights in my windowless basement studio. Check out my How to Photograph Jewelry Webinar .
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
It's no surprise with the name. Polymer clay is the most colorful branch of the jewelry making world!
Wendy is also the creator of CaBezels (exclusive selection to Shades of Clay is here), unique see through molds for creating both the bezel AND the cabochon. I watched Wendy demonstrate how it worked and was delighted to see the possibilities - ideas starting buzzing around my head immediately. I bought one and Wendy gave me another to review:
Wendy has some instructional videos with more in the pipeline. Here is one which shows how she makes a lovely textured bezel using her all in one Cabezel molds.
Shown below are her wonderfully inspirational finished pieces which should get your creative juices going! (Click the image to see a larger version) :
CaBezels come in a great variety of shapes and sizes. The possibilities are endless!
How did I find the Cabezels? I loved the design potential but like everything, it took a little practice before I could make them properly. These round all polymer clay pendants were among my first efforts with the Cabezels.
You do need to practice to learn how to apply the right pressure to make the frame and the cabochons evenly. As you can see below, the almost transparent mold allows you to see where the clay is when the mold is placed upside down on the polymer clay sheet.
Some people are very good with the X-acto knife - they are able to make even and vertical cuts. But for others, including me, the easiest for clean, straight edges is to use the thin blade.
You can also bend the blade for the other shapes or you could use cutters if they work. I liked my round cutter which was slightly larger than the round bezel, it created a nice frame.
Wendy actually lifts off her work from the paper she uses. I found it best not to do so as you could accidentally distort the work while trying to get the clay off. So I worked on a suitable surface which I could then take to oven for baking. I used ceramic tile (this does leave shiny spots at the back), pieces of parchment paper or wax paper. My favorite is the parchment paper.
If you like making canes, then you'll be pleased to know the Cabezels will come in handy to show them off. A thin cane can be placed over the molded but unadorned cabochon. The decorative polymer clay is then pushed around the edge of the cabochon. Excess clay is trimmed off.
There are a couple of approaches to putting the cabochon and frame together. Try and see which you prefer. You can bake the frame first and then add the unbaked cane adorned cabochon and then bake it for a second time. The baked frame is then firm and will not distort while you are tucking in the cabochon part. This was the method I used for my blue framed round pendant above.
Or if you are careful, then by all means put both pieces together for a single bake. Just one thing to remember - if your cane is too thick, the cabochon will not fit well. You can try and tuck the excess in but you risk marking the unbaked frame so be careful. My black framed round pendant above has some tool marks at the 11 o'clock position because I wasn't careful enough!
Giveaway
If you'd like to win a $25 gift certificate for something wonderful like the CaBezels from Shades of Clay, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Wendy is offering a wonderful discount for readers - 10% off with no minimum. Use this code : bgem10.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, February 13, 2017. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any product compensation.
Photography
I used natural light, my iPhone 6S with the ProCamera app and the Modahaus TS400 tabletop studio and the rostrum stand (overhead) for final product photography. The tutorial pictures were taken with the same equipment but with artificial lights in my windowless basement studio. Check out my How to Photograph Jewelry Webinar .
Before You Go:
- Dawn Horner's Wire Weaving Cabochon Pendants Craftsy Class Review
- How to Wire Wrap a Dandelion Resin Pendant Cabochon
- How to Bead Bezels for Swarovski Rivolis
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
These look amazing and extremely informative and interestingly useful and helpful information and products. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm Sharon and I am brand new into polymer clay. I have researched it for awhile now, learning all sorts of wonderful things. I find a website that gives information and it leads me to more knowledge such as this site. sharon.sandheinrich@gmail.com Would love to receive a free gift. Thank you!
DeleteI have been trying to create bezels for my polymer clay pieces and have had limited success. I can already envision what my pieces could look like using CaBezels. Thank you, Wendy for creating this wonderful method! And thank you Pearl for continuing to showcase unique products like this! besamenyc@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOoh lovely bezels! Would love them. Subscriber, blog follower & fb fans. Got so many clays(polymer, pmc, & standard) that I could utilise so well with these Molds. Can be contacted via retro-grrl@hotmail.com, fingers crossed!!
ReplyDeleteI am always seeking new shapes for my polymer clay designs. I've also attempted to create my own templates with limited success. I would love to explore the possibilities using CaBezels. Thank you, Wendy, for creating such a unique product. And thank you, Pearl, for continuing to showcase items that stimulate creativity. via email
ReplyDeleteThanks for the informative post on Cabezels, I have used them, it's a bit of a learning curve, but gives a wonderful look! proberts@persona.ca
ReplyDeleteThis looks wonderful and I would love to try it. I hope that they are at GRBS Show next year. I would love to check them out and see some more demos.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great giveaway. Would love to have your Cabezel molds. I have been eyeing them lately and would love to use them. Thank you for the opportunity to get in on the giveaway. luvpottery2@hotmail.com (
ReplyDeleteSo glad I discovered this blog. And thank you for a chance at the cabezel giveaway. Noraejones@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThese cabezels are terrific, if a little pricey . Would LOVE to win one!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for the opportunity to enter my name for the cabezel giveaway and best of luck to fellow artisans.
ReplyDeleteRomancestones@centurytel.net
These look like they would be fun to create with. My email address is Katalina,klein@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCabezels are a great tool! I'd love to try them! s. smith
ReplyDeletesmitharts2002@yahoo.com
I didn't know there were so many shapes in the Cabezel's THanks for a chance to win !!
ReplyDeleteI would love to add these to my tools for creating beautiful pieces!
ReplyDeleteThey would be greatly appreciated if I win this as I have one of these. Thank you for creattinf this give-away!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try these bezels! Thanks for sharing all your tips and tricks on how to use them 😊
ReplyDeleteangelabowie at hotmail dot com
I would love to try these, they look fantastic, and a lot of fun! My email is blacksnakeroot@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've been interested in buying cabezels but I haven't purchased any yet. They look to be extremely creative and unique which is what I like. kcsews4@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI've JUST started exploring the possibilities of clay! This would be a WONDERFUL addition to my growing supply stash!
ReplyDeletesis5of11@yahoo.com
I would love to try cabezels, I always have trouble getting things perfectly even, and they seem to be a solution for that
ReplyDeleteI love my cabezel mold and want more!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun. Irene Lenihan ilenihan@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love the chance to try out CaBezels! They look like great tools. I like the framed look.
ReplyDeleteI love the Cabezel I have but would LOVE to have more! Thank you! ckacz27@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThey look wonderfull. Inspiring!! I'd like to have not only one of them... Thanks for a blog.
ReplyDeletepiita@walla.com
Please enter me. I might even start doing poymer clay again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the demo, they look interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy email address is beadsophisticate(at)gmail(dotcom)
I have been itching to get back to polymer work, this would be great! I will check her out.
ReplyDeletemouski7@yahoo.com
I've made many things from my 'Get to the Point CaBezel'. I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's incredibly easy to use and once you get playing with it you realize that there are no limits to what you can do with even just one CaBezel design.
Having more to play with would be like Christmas morning when it came in the mail.
Chuck my name in there Pearl. I once again promise to make Lady Luck over at Random.org something if I win....
Pearl, What are the molds made of? These would be cool to try. Thanks
ReplyDeleteNot sure, Patricia. Some sort of photo reactive material.
DeleteHello Patricia,
DeleteThey are made of photo polymer. The flexibility and translucence of the material work to the advantage of the molds. Easy clean up with mild soap and water if needed.
I hope that helps.
Wendy
Please enter me in the CaBezel giveaway. I would so love to try them out! Thanks!
ReplyDeletesusanduffy@hotmail.com
These look great, thanks for the chance x
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful to use with Polymer Clay! I would like a tool like this to help me create bezels.
ReplyDeleteI love the cabezels. I would love to get more. My email is putu2sleep@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThese would be so fun. I like the Lemon Egg and the 3 Fab Focals #3.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful and informative post and the videos! I am definitely wanting to try these Cabezel tools and techniques! Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeletesynzora@hotmail.com
Penny Van
Oooh, Cabezels look like fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win one of these amazing Cabezels! I would love to give one a whirl in my Studio! Meljptoo@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMelanie J Pierce
These look absolutely awesome. The projects are wonderful! Would love to work with these. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeleteI have a few and would love to add to jy collection.
ReplyDeleteSharon dentalhealth85@gmail.com
I love Cabezels! I have the old ones and would love to have the new style and new shapes. Pearl, you have done it again! Great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI am a blog subscriber and FB follower.
zanc@me.com
Ooh, I'd love to try these out with porcelain to make some quirky brooches! So many possibilities!!!
ReplyDeleteI am, of course, an email subscriber (lauraproudman@gmail.com) and a Facebook follower.
These frames look wonderful to work with and the jewelry ideas are great. I'm looking forward to your next article about these frames and beyond. Would really love to win and give these CaBezels a try.
ReplyDeleteBlog Subscriber, Follower, shout out on We Heart it
http://weheartit.com/entry/277307221/via/isleofcraftin
Forgot to say, I'm a subscriber
ReplyDeletebeadsophisticate(at)gmail(dotcom)
Hello from Australia, love reading beadinggem each day I learn so much. Would love to win this giveaway.thankyou
ReplyDeletegailkutasi@gmail.com
These look really fun and useful! sadnessrains(at)gmail
ReplyDeleteLove love love! My mind is racing with the possibilities! They are just fabulous! :-)
ReplyDeleteI really like the stone look that was done on the bezels. I also like that you can see through them and make sure that you are getting it all in correctly. Love this product and think that it will be very popular in the jewelry hobbyist world.
ReplyDeleteoops forgot my email
ReplyDeletelorimahan71@gmail.com
Fan and follower
I am new to clay and am not good at keeping circles round or squares square. These bezel makers would be great
ReplyDeleteI have used polymer clay to make beads and would love to win Shades of Clay's $25 CaBezel for Polymer Clay Jewelry Giveaway. Thank you Pearl.
ReplyDeleteKathy Cooper (kathy@beadify.com)
kathy@beadify.com
Thanks for the tip on using the round cutter on the frame
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing! Thank you both for a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun, and so many possibilities! Thank you for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete- Laura
lwest.86@hotmail.com
Ooo lots of possiblities! Looks like fun!
ReplyDeletealikat2004 on Ravelry.com
Would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI haven't worked with polymer clay for a while.
ReplyDeleteInoreader subscribe.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try the bezels, I have just recently been reintroduced to polymer and am looking forward to learning more. Nan Smith is teaching at my shop this term. Beads of Colour, 65 Main Street Dundas. I have a blog and you can look at the classes at debi@beadsofcolour.com.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial. This has great possibilities. I want to try this method.
ReplyDeleteRita
ritamicallef@rogers.com
I have a couple of these already...great to use....you can never have too many polymer tools!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a subscriber and a fan!!
I would love to try one of these ! Thank you for the giveaway,
ReplyDeletevoltzia@gmail.com
How fabulous! This looks like a fun technique to try I recently got my supply of clay so would definitely be interested in trying these out! As always I am a fan!
ReplyDeletekeri687@gmail.com
Ooh i would love to try stuff like this! Im still new to polymer clay and have been trying different styles out. Craftsbydar(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis look like a lot a fun possibilities. I would love to win this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSwillert@new.rr.com
I've seen these before and they look so amazing. Thank you for reviewing them Pearl. Looking forward to the tutorial
ReplyDeleteMona
Look like fun. Would love to try these out. I am also a subscriber.
ReplyDeleteI can see the cabezel molds being used for more than just jewelry. These are wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteThis tutorial is appreciated. So many designs and possibilities with cabezel molds.
ReplyDeleteksukeena at yahoo dot com
The Cabezels look like so much fun. Would love to be able to shop at Shades of Clay. cjblanton (at) me.com
ReplyDeleteOh those look so cool. Here's hoping the person that wins them puts them to a wonderful use! Thanks for another great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm newer to polymer clay and CaBezels have caught my eye. Thanks for the great review and chance at the giveaway! mrscuddlytiger (at) gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSorry I forgot to give my email. And of course I would love to win.
ReplyDeleteEssanders58@aol.com
I have one of the first CaBezels that came out and still use it. I would love to have the new ones that you can see through. That would mean no more guessing where you're placing your mold. louise@trayloronline.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity. I would love to work with these. I really like making things from polymer clay and this would allow me to kick it up a notch.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win thanks for the chance
ReplyDeletesally0630@frontiernet.net
Im an email subscriber
ReplyDeletesally0630@frontiernet.net
Facebook
Sarah Scott Oswald
pinterest.com/sally0630
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteIt's Wendy here from Shades of Clay. Thank you for your enthusiastic comments about the CaBezel molds. It was energizing to read them all!
Congratulations to the Winner....Darlene!
Awesome! 😃 👍 Thanks so much for the opportunity for a chance to win 💛
ReplyDelete-Rachel Hammond
R8chl937@yahoo.com