Vol-014-2 + Vol-014-3 Faux Raku Smooth & Deep Crackle Veneer Slab Beads Jewelry

I've just made a necklace with the crackle faux raku beads and the smooth raku, using black steel wire and Cindy's messy wrap technique... it's so 'me' I don't know if I can sell it. I too have a hard time parting with jewelry I've made... after you work so hard to create the beautiful beads, then design a piece and assemble it.

~Cheryl-H

I have successfully made the deep crackle raku technique and I was so proud of my achievement that I did it again and made pendants. And now I have made some more just to prove to myself that it wasn't a fluke. Isn't it wonderful, the feeling of achievement, when something turns out like it should?

~Carole-H

Good news! I got another sale in my Etsy shop! Thank you Cindy... because the beads were made using your smooth raku technique! I made sets of jewelry for my sisters-in-law for Christmas. Using only 3 colors of clay and 2 colors of seed beads, I made 8 unique pieces of jewelry! How great is that!?!

~Carrie-W

I refer to your tutorials more than any other reference materials. When I'm ready to finish a sculpture, you are the site I go to, to mull over the effect that I want. For my elephant, I considered your crackle paint, but then I saw the Raku technique, and knew it was perfect for his skin. I had such fun making this.

~Lynda-D

I made a necklace from a piece of my faux crackled raku and donated it to our silent auction. It was a rectangle of raku with a little black bead and a little silver bead on top with a black satin cord. It went for $75.00. I was thrilled, and every time I looked at the piece someone was touching it. Thanks Cindy!

~Freda-K

Cindy, I showed off my faux crackle raku pieces at my guild... giving you credit of course. Different results depending on whether a heavy duty heat gun or a craft version was used... faster with the heavy-duty one but easier to control with the craft version... using an acrylic roller to control the crackle. Thank you!

~Priscilla-L

I finished my smooth raku inro. I wasn't sure about the technique at first, then I tried it and worked it into a project I'd been wanting to do. The smooth raku technique is much prettier in person I think. Thanks again Cindy, you inspire so many people to create with your teaching style. Thanks.

~Nancy-R

These smooth Faux Raku Beads are fabulous… can't wait until my next clay day… shopping list started… ideas churning in my head. 

~Melinda-H

What a gorgeous finish! I am telling all of my polymer friends about this!

~Shannon-L

Cindy, you've called some beads 'money beads'... well I found my money bead this weekend, I made $160 in 2 days! My smooth faux raku bracelets just flew off my table! I made different shapes and sizes of beads. I also made larger round, and two size cube beads and paired them with silver spacers. Wow!

~Carrie-W

This faux raku technique is so much fun Cindy! You're making it hard to keep my promise not to clay until my studio is done. I won't know where to start when I can finally clay again... color chips and roses and faux raku and... Ok, deep breath and count to ten... I'm ok again. Don't worry. I'll…be…fine…. XOXO

~Jamie-H

I love the rustic handmade look of your beads! I can't decide which I like best, the smooth or the crackle - they are all so pretty! I've only recently started buying your tutorials, Cindy, and your Raku technique has made me so glad I found you!

~Lisa-W

Cindy, I'm excited about your faux raku techniques, the smooth raku seems wonderful, and the deep crackle raku is heaven! I started with your Anjou Pear Tutorial (Vol-013-4), and haven't look back. You're teaching a beginner how to get started and also teaching an intermediate clayer how to make something right. 

~Andreea-G

Worked on this technique tonight, it was very simple after following your techniques. Thanks again Cindy for sharing your excellent tutoring skills.

~Nancy-R

Thanks so much, Cindy, I have worked through both of the Raku techniques this week. Plus I sold my Heart (Vol-020-2) earrings and Jupiter Bead (Vol-014-1) bracelet that I made from your other tutorials. Yeah!

~Loretta-C

This is my favorite video so far. I've been wondering how to do this ever since you first showed off your faux deep crackle raku in a blog post. Thanks for sharing your technique for getting those gorgeous deep crackles.

~Priscilla-L

I am addicted to the Jupiter beads (Vol-014-1) as well as these smooth raku beads. My mother isn't a die-hard clayer, but she fiddles with it with me from time to time, and she is addicted to the raku beads! I made some 1/4" smooth raku cubes and am going to turn them into a bracelet.

~Carrie-W

WOW! Another great idea Cindy. I was curious to see what your process was. I knew it would be nice and simple and yet look like it was really hard to do, and I wasn't disappointed! I love that about your techniques... great results without being eyecrossingly difficult. Another project to add to my growing list.

~Jamie-H

After work last night I tried the smooth faux raku... It's beautiful and fun and next I'm going to start some deep crackle raku. Can't wait! 

~Melinda-H

I am so excited about this technique, I was not quite sure about the smooth part... and now I can't wait till I can try the crackle too. What beautiful beads, thanks Cindy for another wonderful technique.

~Nancy-R

Cool technique! I'm getting the hang of controlling crackle size, but the 'ready test' didn't work with Kato... it might be an idea to suggest trying the crackling with scrap clay before 'risking' the beautiful faux raku sheets. I also want to try combining your technique with leaching, it may give me more control over crackle size.

~Sue-F

What an encouraging tutor you are! I watched it, thought I'd remembered everything, watched it again after I'd made the raku sheet... saw the part where you said DON'T use it all at once... Doh! I made more raku sheets, tried putting some scrap clay mixed with gold though, and part baking it and it worked well.

~Iwona-C

Dear Cindy, I swore to myself that I'd start buying your tutorials just as soon as I saw your faux raku bead tutorials were available... so here I am!

~Andreea-G

Cindy, I hadn't been brave enough to use the Studio Glaze yet, but after seeing your faux raku video, I did. And I love it!!! It goes on thin enough that it doesn't look plasticy, it just gives a nice shine. I will be using a lot of this from now on. Thanks for the tip!!!

~Carrie-W

These faux raku beads are exquisite! I've been working with polymer clay for some time and am always searching for information to enhance my learning. Your site has provided a real shift in how I do things, and I can watch the videos as often as needed until I master a particular step. Thank you!

~Elizabeth-S

Cindy, I liked this raku tutorial very much and I made some wearable things. I have not discovered anyone else doing this hobby here (Norway), and I'm not very good reading English either, so your tutorials are perfect. You are easy to understand, and I enjoy your videos. Thanks for your good and simple instructions.

~Synnove-O

The Faux Raku method is a lot of fun, and I got some really cool results. I made a necklace for a friend, she loves it!. BTW your video showing how to use bead cones (Vol-040-4), really took the fear out of making a two strand necklace. Thank you for that as well.

~Sherry-L

Dear Cindy, once again another fantastic method... your faux raku. I have been crackling clay this week with the perfect pearls method that I've seen done by other instructors do on flowers... but your way is so much easier and with more control. Thank you again.

~Cara-L

My deep crackle faux raku beads turned into almost smooth crackle because I heated my clay sheet unevenly. I also ended up over rolling the beads, I probably should have left them alone, but they are still very pretty. It never would have occurred to me to use a partially baked sheet of clay in a project. Great idea Cindy!

~Katy-A

Wow, cool technique that creates some amazing results. It looks a little trickier than some of your other tutorials Cindy, but luckily, we have you to help us if we run into trouble. I'm starting with the faux deep crackle raku, and was happy to get a decent crackle my first time out. Now to make some beads with it!

~Phaedrakat

Very beautiful! I do the crackle on some of my chcoloate cakes, but without colors. With colors using polymer clay, like you do it Cindy… wow! Thank you very much. You're a nice teacher, I'm very happy to have discover your videos.

~Isabelle-J