Friday 21 March 2014

Berries, Macaroons and Plates

Hi everybody! I am so sorry that I have not been blogging for so long but as my sister is sick and we live in different countries, I had to help her with some things so I had to travel and also, I need to go back to work so I have been doing a lot of interviews with companies and job agencies.
I have to say that I did miss to read all of your posts guys!! I always enjoy to see what you create and how you create and I will do my best to see what you have been up to by coming to your blog and commenting.

I have been doing some items with polymer clay and I wanted to ask you all what's your method of making blackberries and raspberries. I use a method that I read in one of Angie Scarr book where you make some molds with super tiny beads glued to a toothpick and I wanted to know if there was another method of making really small fruits.
For those of you that don't know this method or don't have Angie's book, I'm going to post below the steps to make them.


This is how the blackberries and raspberries come out.

First step: Put some tiny, no holes beads, in a container.

Put some glue (I used superglue) on the tip of the toothpick and then put the toothpick in the container with the caviar beads. They will attach to the tip of the toothpick.

Prepare your mold material and once ready just put the tip inside the mold. Don't make the mold too small or it will be impossible to bend the mold when you need to remove the berry from the inside. Wait until the mold material is dry and remove the toothpick.

Prepare some colors for the berries.

Now, with a toothpick, get one drop, and I mean 1, bend the mold a bit and put the drop inside the small hole. Try to move the liquid around with the toothpick otherwise you will have pockets of air that will ruin the berries. Once you do that, you might see the liquid go further down, so just add another small drop to fill the mold. 

Put them in the oven and once cold just bend the mold to remove the berries from it. You might need to cut the top, to make the berries shorter.


(Cake idea from Angie Scarr book) - I think they look OK but I wanted to know how you can make them rounder, still being very very tiny.
Now, how do you make yours?? 


I also made some macaroons and I wanted to know which shape you prefer or you think it's closer to the real macaroons.
A, B or C?


I also made some plates with paper clay. I was looking for an heavier and less plasticky material than polymer clay and I have to say that I like plates made with paper clay more than polymer clay. They feel better (for me!!!) and sanding this clay it's a joy!!!! Very easy, very quick.
These are 2 of the plates I made with paper clay. I used metal plates to get the shape and then I sanded them. The 2 plates you see in this picture, are just out of the metal plates and then need to be sanded. I'll show you how they came out as soon as I paint them.

I found the dolls house I was talking about while I was preparing some boxes to send to Italy. You might wonder why I'm going to give away a dolls house.... well.... I have 2, the same, which were bought by mistake. Actually I bought one meanwhile somebody knew I wanted this dolls house, bought another one for me. The person that bought it for me didn't know that I had already bought one, so I'm going to give one away! I just need to put all the pieces together and then I will post the giveaway.

Sorry again for my long absence. I did miss you all and I'm looking forward to see what you have been up to. Big hugs to all of you!!


33 comments:

  1. Hola Simona. Espero que tu hermana haya recuperado la salud.
    No conocía ese método para hacer bayas, pero tomo nota para intentarlo. No te puedo ayudar con tu pregunta, porque nunca las he hecho.
    Respecto a los macarrrons, a mi me gustan mas los primeros, los de la foto A, aunque todos están muy bien.
    Un abrazo
    Victoria

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    1. Hi Victoria, thanks for your nice wishes regarding my sister. I'm happy I gave you an idea on how to make berries and thanks a million for your input on the macaroons.
      A big hug back at you!

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  2. Hi Simona!
    Sorry to hear about your sister...Hope she is better now!
    Thank you for the tutorial!
    The paper clay sounds like a super fine idea also!
    Hugs
    Kikka

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    1. Hi Kikka! You are very welcome for the tutorial. I find it very interesting too and pretty easy to make.
      Kisses!

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  3. Welcome back - and don't apologize for being away, I really hope your siter has recovered and that your interview sessions were successful. You've been busy for sure - your miniatures look so lovely. I think the A maccaroons look best and I admire your berries. I must say I haven't tried this so far.

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Hi Birgit, yes, thanks, the interviews went very well and I got the job and I will be starting soon. Thank you for your nice comments and your opinion on the macaroons..... I'm trying to find the best shape! :)
      Hugs to you too!!

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  4. Hi Simona, welcome back! I hope your sister has recovered? Of course real life can take us away from miniatures, everyone knows that, so please, there is no need to apologise for your absense in the blog world, please.
    I can't tell you how to make those small berries, but you have shown us in your blogpost one way of making these berries and I think it is fine...
    Personally I think the A macarons are the best.
    Take your time, we'll see you in the blog world again :D!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Hi Ilona!! Thank you for your welcome back! My sister is a bit better, thanks but because she has MS she will never be well. Thanks a million for your input on the macaroons....I'm trying to reach perfection!! : ) : )
      Big hugs <3

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  5. Hi Simona, I ´ve missed you for so long!! I hope your sister is better! Your macarons and the blackberrie´s cake are so cute. A big hug.

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    1. Hi Esther! I have to say that I've missed you and all your fantastic ideas too!! My sister is better, thanks!! And, of course, thank you for liking my minis!! Big hug for you too!! <3 <3

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  6. Hi Simona Sorry about your sister I hope she has fully recovered. Thank you for the idea on the berries. Yummy macaroons. Your plates look great.
    Hugs Maria

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    1. Hi Maria! Thanks for your concern, my sister is better. I'm glad you liked the idea for the berries and the other items. Hugs back at you!

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  7. The plates looks great!
    I have never seen real macaroons, so I cant help you with that =) The berries, if you glue them in a rounder shape I think the berries will be rounder too, glue the beads to a ball on the toothpick =)
    Hannah

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    1. Hey Hannah! Thanks for your idea! I actually tried to make them round with the same method but as you need more layers of tiny beads to achieve a round shape, then you loose the scale and if I glue them to a ball I would loose the scale too but I could do something like that. I need to think hard about this!! :) <3

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  8. Hi Simona! Welcome back and I hope that your sister is better. Family first, so no need to apologize for being away. I have not seen this method for making berries, but it is something I may try. I like Hannah is right about gluing them in a rounder shape. As far as the macaroons, I think A looks the most real, although B & C are cute too.
    Hugs,
    Lisa

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    1. Hi Lisa!!! Nice to see you here. I'm happy Angie's method of making berries gave you an idea on how to do them. As I said to Hannah, I tried to make them round with the same method but I needed to add more beads and I was loosing the scale but it can probably be done with some small changes. I need to try..... :) Thanks for your input on the macaroons!! Big hugs!!

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  9. Hey Simona, good to see you, I know this time is tiring for you but your being a great sister and the time you spend is important.

    I did try this method once with the beads then mold, they came out ok but not the best. I've seen where you can glue colored beads to a wire and clip them. I have even tried very tiny polymer clay beads on a toothpick, baked them and molded that...still nothing looked like I think they should have.

    If you find a tried and true method let me know!

    Your paper clay plates are a great start I am glad you found a preference of material for them ;)
    Hugs, js

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    1. Hey Jane!!! Do you know that while I was making the paper plates I was thinking of you?? Because we were talking about this and I think your Elven Cottage is all made with paper clay isn't it? I need to come to your blog and see at which point is that wonderful cottage!! Thanks a million for sharing your insight on how you made your berries.....and you can count on me letting you know if I do find another method to make them round and tiny!!
      Big hugs Jane!!

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  10. No need to apologize, we all understand that sometimes 1:1 life gets in our miniature life's way. Sorry to hear about your sister, I hope she is feeling better.

    I really cannot tell you which of your macarons looks best, they all look so real and yummy! The paper clay seems interesting as a material, I think I might have to try it.
    Hugs, Johanna

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    1. Hi Johanna, nice to see you here!!! I loved your phrase: "......sometimes 1:1 life gets in our miniature life's way"..... that's so cute and it made me laugh!! :) :) My sister is better, thanks and thank you so much for your nice comment about my macaroons!!
      I'm at a stage that I'm trying all type of different clay.....getting older I'm getting more curious!!! :) Thanks for stopping by!!!
      Hugs!!!

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  11. Hi Simona, So nice to see you back in blogland. I agree with the others that A looks best, but my, they're all yummy looking! Thanks for the blackberry tutorial. I haven't heard of another way to make them, but if I see it somewhere I will let you know. I love your "paper" plates. They look so realistic, even without sanding or painting. Picnic, anyone? :-) xo Jennifer

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    1. Thank you so much Jen!!!! And thanks for your input on the macaroons!! <3

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  12. Great to hear from you again. I hope your sister has recovered. Good luck with your job search. I hope you get a positive results.
    I do not have much experience with fimo, but I find all that you have done so well. I thought all your cakes have a realistic appearance.
    Thank you, for your very nice comment on my blog, you are so sweet and I get so happy and warm about your words.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

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    1. Hi Wyrna!! Thanks for stopping by. My sister is well thanks, and I've got a job starting next Mon with the software giant Yahoo, working in their Finance Dpt here in Dublin. I'm always amazed by the things you do...I love the light colors, the details....everything really!!!!
      Big hugs back at you!

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  13. Hola guapa!!! espero que tu hermana se encuentre mejor.
    Ya veo que no has parado,no te puedo ayudar sobre la pregunta de las moras,pues yo nunca las he hecho.
    Los macarrons me gustan todos,jaaj estan muy bien hechos y las plaquitas también,eres una artista.
    Bss apretaos!!!

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    1. Me, an artist??? I wouldn't call myself that but let's say that I love working with polymer clay. Thank you so much for asking about my sis and I always look forward to what you make...you always amaze me!!!
      Hugs and kisses and hugs!!!!!

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  14. I'm so glad you are back. I hope your sister is alright. And that you find a wonderful job you love soon.
    The little berries are so cute. I have no idea how to make such tiny things. And I love all the macarons. Maybe A looks more real?? The plates look like they are going to work out great. You've been very busy!
    You asked about my leg on my blog- well, I just turned around trying to catch my little dog and my calf muscle ripped! It has taken me 6 weeks to start walking. I'm now 8 weeks in and I can almost set my heal down while I'm bare foot. I have to have high heel shoes to walk normally. But I feel so much better. The muscle is just a tiny bit still stiff and healing. A couple more weeks and I think everything will be normal again. Don't rip your calf muscle! It's like a broken leg and takes forever to heal!! LOL! :D
    Take care of yourself. And I hope things get easier and better for you now.
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    1. Hi Caroline!!!! I just answered you through Google mail. Thanks for stopping by!!!
      Hugs to you!!

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  15. Sorry I missed this post before and sorry about your sister. To make small clusters of fruit I usually make a small ball or any other shape) of fimo and stick the tiny no hole beads around it, then I bake them all together. Later I paint
    them any color I want.
    Hugs, Drora
    Your macarons look very real life.

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    1. Hi Drora!!!! Thanks for your idea!! I should try it. And thank you for your lovely comment on the macaroons!!!!
      Big, big hug!!

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  16. Hi Simona! Sorry to be so far behind! I am sorry to hear about your sister's illness and also your loss of work but I now hear that your are starting up with Yahoo, YAHOO!!!! :D
    I have only every eaten macaroons once in my life and I gobbled them down so quickly that I didn't even really have a good look at them, however they were Delicious, so ALL THREE of your SETS look real to me!
    I HAVE made mini berries before and the tutorial that I used was the one published on ABOUT. COM MINIATURES. It was very time consuming and very fiddley,but the berries turned out believable. I also found 2 additional tutorials that are in Russian and they might prove to be of some use. They are LOVELY TUTORIALS and KOPLLKA.VV.UA . The berries in these two Russian tutes are showing bigger berries than 1:12 but the techniques are good and can perhaps be scaled down smaller to suit. Nevertheless, I think that your efforts are really good for a first try and to be commended. Remember that Angie Scarr probably had a lot of miss-fires until she was satisfied with and perfected her technique. So Never give up! :D

    elizabeth

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  17. Simona,me alegro que la enfermedad de tu hermana vaya poco a poco mejorando!!!!
    Las bayas,yo las he hecho como tu,pero en vez de un palillo,he utilizado un fino alambre para pegar las pequeñas bolitas,de esta manera,quedan más juntas y diminutas.
    los macarons,están muy bien!!! Personalmente me gusta más la opción A,me parecen más reales!!
    La arcilla de papel es una buena opción para las placas,te han quedado muy bien!!!!!
    Besos.

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  18. I'm glad to know your sister is better... your berries are great, but your macarons are perfect!! Congrats! Hugs

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