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October 2025 Meeting: Spiral Bargello

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Spiral Bargello

with Betty Bolerjack

This month, we’ll be exploring Spiral Bargello—a colorful and dynamic twist on the classic Bargello pattern. Instead of working in straight lines, we’ll create stunning circular designs that draw the eye inward and add movement to your work.

Because of the way this project is constructed, you’ll end up with two mirrored Bargello circles. These versatile components can be turned into:

  • Jewelry
  • Tops for small trinket boxes
  • Miniature room décor
  • Christmas ornaments
  • Or anything else your imagination dreams up!
🧰 Materials Needed:
  • Polymer clay (3-6 colors, about 1 oz. of each, more if only using 3 colors as I did in the examples)
  • Acrylic roller and/or brayer
  • Pasta machine
  • Sharp, stiff blade
  • Work surface (We R Memory Keepers or other surface that has measurements is very helpful!)
  • Ruler with mm or Marxit tool
  • Lucy slicer (optional)

Note: The original video I saw was about making earrings. She baked twice, once on the lightbulb to create a curved surface and later in baking soda after adding a textured clay backing.

Optional for finishing your project (if time allows):
  • Glaze, varnish, or other finish, if desired
  • Brush to apply glaze
  • Hand Drill w/bit if making jewelry
  • Findings & glass rhinestones
  • Super glue to glue findings in place
  • Sandpaper & felt for polishing
  • Tools & wire
  • A round surface to bake on (light bulb, bowl, Sculpey hollow bead maker)
  • Gloves & wet wipes
  • A small piece of sponge/foam to texture back
  • Baking soda or corn starch for preserving texture on back during baking

 

Note: The original video I saw was about making earrings. She baked twice, once on the lightbulb to create a curved surface and later in baking soda after adding a textured clay backing.

This project is approachable for all skill levels—whether you’re new to polymer clay or an experienced clayer looking for a new twist on an old favorite. 

Meeting Details:

📅 Date: October 18, 2025

⏰ Time: 1:30 PM

🏠 Location:

🏠 Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th St, OKC. (map) Park on the west side and enter through the double glass doors (Contact us for the entry code). Meeting is on the fourth floor in the teen room. Signs will guide you. There is an elevator for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering stairs. Please contact us if you need help.

Come join us for a creative and inspiring afternoon!

September 2025: State Fair Demo

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September Update – No Meeting This Month

Instead of our usual monthly meeting, the Guild will be at the Oklahoma State Fair this Sunday, September 14, from 2:00–6:00 PM. You can find our demo table in the Hobby, Arts, and Crafts Building (the same place we’ve always been).

Come watch polymer clay come to life in real time, chat with members, and maybe get inspired to try something new yourself!

👉 Because of the Fair demo, we will not be holding a regular Guild meeting this month.

We’ll be back together in October for our next meeting. Stay tuned for details!

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August 2025 Meeting: Bottles of Hope

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Your Creativity Can Brighten Someone’s Day!

Our Spiral Bargello class must be postponed, so this month we’re making Bottles of Hope! 🌟 Tom will provide the bottles; you bring your favorite polymer clay, your favorite tools, and plenty of imagination.

Bottles of Hope are small glass bottles decorated with colorful polymer clay designs. Once completed, Tom delivers them to local treatment centers to be distributed to cancer patients. Over the years, Guild members have created some truly clever and beautiful bottles, and each one brings a smile to someone who needs encouragement.

If you’ve seen us at the fair or are just curious about polymer clay, this is a perfect chance to join us, create something special, and make a difference in someone’s day.

fairy house 02152019

📅 Date: August 16, 2025

⏰ Time: 1:30 PM

🏠 Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th St, OKC. (map) Park on the west side and enter through the double glass doors (Contact us for the entry code). Meeting is on the fourth floor in the teen room. Signs will guide you. There is an elevator for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering stairs. Please contact us if you need help.

June and July 2025 Meetings: Geode Magic

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Geode Magic

with Tom Gibson

Discover the sparkle beneath the surface!

Geodes are one of nature’s most enchanting surprises—ordinary-looking rocks on the outside, but bursting with crystalline beauty within. This month and next, we’ll explore how polymer clay can be transformed to mimic these natural wonders with stunning effect.

Polymer clay is an incredibly versatile medium that can take on the look of wood, stone, glass—and yes, even geodes! Join us as Tom Gibson guides us through the magical process of creating our own faux geodes in this special two-part series. See Supply list below.

Whether you’re new to polymer or a seasoned artist, you’re sure to pick up a few sparkling tips and techniques!

geode
geode inside

📅 Dates: June 21 and July 19, 2025

⏰ Time: 1:30 PM

🏠 Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th St, OKC. (map) Park on the west side and enter through the double glass doors (Contact us for the entry code). Meeting is on the fourth floor in the teen room. Signs will guide you. There is an elevator for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering stairs. Please contact us if you need help.

Supplies

Here is a Materials list for the June – July meetings. This project will need two meetings because it requires an extended length of baking time.

Polymer Clay Faux Geode

Materials & tools

  • Polymer clay: 1 1/2 or 2 blocks of White Translucent or Translucent
  • 1/2 block each Two or more shades of Blue (Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Turquoise), Lavendar, Mauve, or Purple Pearl
  • NOTE: This technique works better with translucent colors. Use a 3:1 or 4:1 Translucent to color mix.
  • 1/2 block Pearl White
  • 1/2 block Antique Gold or Bronze
  • Translucent liquid polymer clay with a dedicated brush
  • Paint + brush water cup: Brush (nothing special), or maybe fingers (smearing is easier than brushing)
  • a stencil brush or coarse brush for dry brushing (an old brush cut off to stiffen)
  • White acrylic paint or Blanco alcohol ink(white)
  • Acrylic paint (Yellow Ecru or Ochre, Burnt Umber, Raw Sienna, or any dark color)
  • A water spritz bottle
  • Blow dryer or Heat gun (Optional)
  • Inclusions: Himalayan Salt or Rock salt (Will be provided)
  • Druzy – Metal flakes, Mica flakes, or crushed quartz crystals (Will be provided)
  • Usual Clay Tools;
  • blade, roller & or pasta machine
  • Ball tools or any smoothing tool, plus any of the usual clay tools
  • Texture mat for the exterior of the geode
  • Small bowl for baking
  • wet/dry sandpaper (coarse to fine) (polishing papers coarse to fine)
  • UV resin & UV lamp
  • Gloves are optional but probably preferable

We can’t wait to see what kind of geode magic you create!

May 2025 Meeting: No Meeting This Month

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No May Meeting—But Summer’s Looking Bright!

Due to vacation plans, graduations, and all the wonderful busyness this time of year brings, we’re taking a little break and won’t be meeting in May. We’ll miss seeing everyone, but we hope you’re enjoying the season with family and friends!

But don’t put your clay away just yet—our summer meetings are going to be fantastic!
In June and July, Tom will lead us in a two-part series on polymer clay geodes—a dazzling technique with lots of room for creative play.
Then in August, get ready to unleash your inner dragon as Betty guides us through the magical art of dragon’s eyes.

Save the dates: June 21, July 19, and August 16—always the 3rd Saturday of the month!

We can’t wait to see what you create!

April 2025 Meeting: Initial Canes

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Initials and Ladybugs!

This month, Penni Jo will guide us through creating a Simple Initial Cane—a cane featuring two bold, easy-to-read block letters representing your initials. It’s a great way to sign your clay work, and Penni Jo’s method helps take the guesswork out of reducing the cane evenly.

Bonus: If time allows, she’ll also demonstrate how to make a cute ladybug cane!

Supplies/Tools:

Clay for Letter Cane:

Background-at least 1 full block of white (2 oz)

Letters-1/4 block of Black (or very dark clay)

Clay for Ladybug Cane: 1/4 or less block each of Red, White, and Black

NOTE 1: To create a crisp, clean design use black and white clay (or your choice of clay with very strong value contrasts)

NOTE 2: These 2 colors need to be the same brand and the same softness of clay!

NOTE 3: If using soft, new clay you may need to leach it at home before guild

Pasta Machine

Roller: a brayer or acrylic rod to square up the cane

Craft Knife

Blades: flexible and rigid

Extruder with 1/4-inch square disc

Ruler: 6 or 12 inch

Somewhere around 3/4-inch length Oval or tear drop shaped Cutter (if you don’t have 1, we can share)

Work Surface

Tile or index card

Meeting Details:

📅 Date: April 19, 2025

⏰ Time: 1:30 PM

🏠 Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th St, OKC. (map) Park on the west side and enter through the double glass doors (Contact us for the entry code). Meeting is on the fourth floor in the teen room. Signs will guide you. There is an elevator for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering stairs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need help.

March 2025 Meeting: Mosaics Continued

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Finishing Our Mosaics Projects!

This month, we will be finishing our Mosaic projects that we started last month. Didn’t start a project last month? It’s not too late! Go here for details and the supply list. Gather your supplies and come join us as we create together! 

Meeting Details:

📅 Date: March 15, 2025

⏰ Time: 1:30 PM

🏠 Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th St, OKC. (map) Park on the west side and enter through the double glass doors (Contact us for the entry code). Meeting is on the fourth floor in the teen room. Signs will guide you. There is an elevator for anyone who has difficulty maneuvering stairs. Please contact us if you need help.