Festive Baubles in Polymer Clay, a Tutorial

Celebrate any occasion with these polymer clay festive baubles. Covered in glitter or using plain clay, the fine inscribed lines add an extra dimension to the finished piece. I take you step by step through the whole process, so sit back and relax as we put all the elements together to make these festive decorations.
If you want to cover a plastic bauble, do have a look at my Spiral Bauble Video - go to 7 minutes 20 seconds and see how I do mine. - • Spiral Baubles in Poly...
I purchase my bio-degradable glitter from Glitter Magic, look under Ultra Fine Glitters - glittermagic.c...
I find the hemisphere bowls on line, here is one place to find something similar to mine, but as you search, you will find that prices vary, so have a hunt around and see what’s available - www.amazon.co....
Here is the link to Conditioning Polymer Clay - • Conditioning Polymer C...
You can buy additional/replacement bauble tops online. Here is one example, you will find many more - www.amazon.co....
If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, www.fionaabel-s... and follow me on Facebook / fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. / fionaabelsmith.artist
I also have a number of Polymer Clay Tutorials to buy, both in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - www.etsy.com/u... where I have more tutorials in a PDF format, and as a video tutorial here - polyoriginals.t...
The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and is available from the KZbin Free Audio Library.
Thank you so much for watching.

[@laurenbeckerle7977]

I think you deserve an award for “tidiest person with glitter ever” lol.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

That made me laugh Lauren :) I love working with glitter, but then hate the fact that in my next project, which may need to be glitter free, it still pops up, also on my skin, my clothes, the dog........ Thanks so much :)

[@kimshumate5737]

The most professional PC videos! A+!!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh wow, thank you so much Kim :)

[@scoutabout2309]

Who in their right mind would give any of these videos a thumbs down???? With all the turmoil occurring right now in the US, especially in my home state, it was nice to just leave the world behind for 44 minutes and enjoy another outstanding tutorial by this very talented lady. I am just so impressed by the quality of the videos. The materials list, clay manufacturer references, pattern making, alternate suggestions, etc. and the incredible oratory skills for instruction, just make these videos a joy to watch. Heck, I think I would enjoy listening to Fiona read the ingredients list off a cereal box! This time, though, instead of modifying and making them my own creations, I will be copying your color palette exactly. Red, Green, Purple and Gold indeed make a glittery Christmas. Thanks again! ;)

[@silverguardiancreations2014]

Agree with you we are in a mess here in the US. How would you modify it?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Scout About, what a lovely comment, and don't worry about the thumbs down, a lot of people do not like a detailed step by step video, or they don't like my voice, say I speak to fast etc. etc. Don't let it worry you, it doesn't worry me :) I will carry on doing what I am doing as long as there are people who do like what I do, so thanks again for your support, and to everyone else who leaves wonderful comments, I really do appreciate them :)

[@leetzannaroyalla9068]

It occurs to me that using the glitter paint would work as well with the spiral baubles.As always, you inspire me .

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Yes it should work perfectly, give it a go :) Thanks so much :)

[@llevin5151]

Thank you for using biodegradable glitter!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Every little helps in saving the environment :)

[@jude1515]

You didn't miss a beat on this one. I like the drying with the toothpicks. Great idea and beautiful!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Jude :)

[@ianhoward7335]

Thanks so much Fiona ... glass baubles now obtained ... all ready to have a bash . Regards (and did I mention you are an amazing tutor !) Sue Howard

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Sue :)

[@dianemalcolm7118]

I love your tutorials! When I first saw the baubles, I thought they would be so difficult, but as always you made them look so easy to do. Thank you!! :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Diane, and yes these are fun and easy to do :)

[@ruthmills4864]

Amazing....I watched every step of your tutorial and wanted more. YOUR METHOD OF BLOCKING OFF areas was very precise and these will make nice gifts for Christmas!😊💚♥️💚

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful, have fun with them :)

[@lynnebrownie306]

That is gorgeous!! Thanks for showing us another great tutorial! ❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

you're welcome, thanks so much 🙂

[@silverguardiancreations2014]

Thank you for doing this tutorial saves me from getting a headache on doing the math to make my own template

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So glad it helped, thanks Silverguardiancreations :)

[@joni22262]

I thought the same thing. I would have the protractor out etc. She has made this so much easier and I won’t forget this ever.

[@novrab]

Your tutorials are always a joy to watch. You are clear and detailed in your descriptions and you make it look simple enough even for beginners. Thank you for another great video. Take care.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much novrab :)

[@sarahnunns8263]

What lovely ideas you come up with Fiona. Another great video. Thank you.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Sarah :)

[@renukanair6457]

Ms. Fiona!!! You are an absolutely amazing artist and a wonderful teacher. I love the way you make /take the time to explain in detail. Thank you so much. It is people like you that inspire me to be creative.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh wow, thank you so much Renuka :)

[@maxpay150]

Wow so pretty and so satisfying to watch

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Max Pay :)

[@lizrees4316]

I love listening to your voice and hear your enthusiasm about the project. Thank you for being such a great teacher and providing inspiration.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much Liz, that's very kind of you to say :)

[@Cindylee29]

I love all of you baubles!!! So festive!!♥️♥️♥️ Amazing as always Fiona!!💜💜💜 Have a great weekend🌸🌺

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thank you so much Cindylee, you too, have a great weekend :)

[@wendymoyer782]

I love these!!! This project has been on my list for a year...since I saw your spiral bauble video. But...2020, a move, etc etc and here I am. Have a veneer ready to go. Wish me luck!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful Wendy, I am sure yours will be fabulous, and yes I wish you all the luck you need (not that you will ;) ) thank you :)

[@Julzzzsatx]

❤ Great ideas, I've always wanted to make my own. Now thanks to you, I can.😊Thank you so very much!!!❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful, thanks so much 🙂

[@leonanelson2444]

Beautiful Fiona, thank you

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Leona :)

[@crow9669]

These look like so much fun to make! Can't wait to go dig out my baubles!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Sally :)

[@melindafuhrer3820]

Fiona this looks like so much fun. Thank you.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Melinda :)

[@deniseosborne4045]

Great video. I have boxes of ornaments from last year ready to cover

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Brilliant, have fun, thanks Denise :)

[@leewitte4580]

So fun and festive!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

thanks so much Lee :)

[@tools4ewebycarolhowe496]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you Carol :)

[@RameyRocks]

These are really pretty too. I think it would be neat to possibly stamp a design on them.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Yes, great idea, thanks so much Missi R :)

[@MsBojac]

Fantastic videos! You explain everything so well. I am a newbie to polymer clay, but after watching your videos, I feel I can tackle anything. 😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful, I am so glad thye are helpful. Enjoy your polymer clay journey and have fun with it. Thank you very much Jackie 🙂

[@MsBojac]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals You are quite welcome. I have made beaded jewelry for a few years and want to try something new, but I still make jewelry. Your videos are so well done and easy to listen to; you explain everything, even how to make the template. Thank you for your time and effort in making these videos!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@MsBojac 😍🙏🙏🙏

[@elizdecabeth1305]

What a great idea, and so beautiful. I think I will try and use black paint to highlight the lines so it looks like stained glass. Thank you so much for sharing your tips and ideas.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

That sounds lovely, great idea :) Thank you :)

[@nanasartsyfartsycrafts2557]

Great tutorials. These are beautiful 😍

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Tina :)

[@gailresources8120]

Gorgeous!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Gail :)

[@lizrichardson3309]

Lovely! ❤ I've ordered some baubles especially for your bauble projects! I can't wait to get started! Thank you! X

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Liz, can't wait to see yours :)

[@debbeechy]

These are so cool!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Deb :)

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you 😊 Lovely 💕 video’s !

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Tish :)

[@Karyn1000]

Beautiful!! I hope mine turn out as nice as yours 😁

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I'm sure yours will be wonderful , thank you Karyn :)

[@aliciabeatriz4490]

Hermosos trabajos !!!😍🤗❤❤❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Muchas gracias Alicia :)

[@gyllenhaalic66]

Love your videos as always !!! :). Thank you.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Denise :)

[@carlycharlesworth1497]

That was brilliant! I have to ask though...why don't the plastic blank baubles melt in the oven when they are baked with the clay on them? I felt sure that they would. Thank you for posting these wonderful and interesting videos. I am a brand new subscriber to your channel having only just discovered you, and I'm absolutely addicted to your videos because I am a total newbie to polymer clay! I have learned so much from you already! Thank you for taking the time to make the videos.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Carly :) If you have the right plastic baubles they can withstand a certain amount of heat, and many of the polymer clays bake at a low temperature. also the clay coating acts as a barrier and as it cures - holding its shape, so it holds the plastic in shape too. Not all the plastic ones work though, so always be cautious and test any batch first, and be ready to remove it from the oven the second it shows signs of being affected by the heat - safety first :)

[@Kaycyd]

Love watching you work! I noticed when you were making the indented lines with the knitting needle you kept flipping it. What was the reason for that? I worry about the plastic baubles melting in the oven and stinking the place up. How do you know the plastic baubles is safe for what you are doing? You've inspired me to come up with my own ideas for Christmas gifts for next year! To late this year but next year I would have plenty of time to make them! Thank you again for such a wonderful tutorial!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Well spotted, I didn't even realise I was doing it till I was editing the video ;) If you look closely it's because I've picked up a little excess clay on the end, so I automatically flip it to the clean end. Somehow, when I then reflip it, I manage to remove the clay without even thinking about it and have a clean end again to use. It's amazing what you learn to do without even thinking about it !! For the plastic baubles, check out the video listed in the details below the video above, where it says SHOW MORE :) I always test any batch of new plastic ones I am using, by baking one first to see if it distorts. Then I bake one with a thin layer of scrap clay. If all of that works out, then I cover all of them in scrap clay to give me a sound basis to work on, and away I go. As I say, I explain it in detail in the Spiral Bauble video I mention in the details :) I hope that helps :) Thanks as always for your comments Kaycy :)

[@Kaycyd]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals no problem! Lol yeah, habit, can be so easily missed. I think I did see that video but will have another look. I'm sure I've seen since I've watched ALL your videos. Watching it again will hopefully make it stick in my brain this time around!

[@BenNortonStarWarsRules]

Hello! I have a great deal of respect for both your creativity and your thoroughness, and watching your videos is always a joy for me. I'm definitely going to try this project myself. At home, I have Sculpey III clay, and I'm not sure if it would be ideal for this. Do you have any advice in that department? Is it worth doing it with my clay, or should I buy a different kind? Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Ben :) My honest answer is I do not know for sure, as I haven't tried it with Sculpey III. However, I don't see why it wouldn't? Have you got enough spare clay to test a little bit? If you just cut out a smallish circle spread the glitter on it and inscribed it, then curved it on the outside of a bowl. Bake the bowl upside down - so the clay doesn't fall of ;) Then you can ping the clay off the bowl once it has cooled. If it holds up to that then it should be fine doing it on the bauble, and for completing the whole process. You may need to be very gently in your handling if the clay is very soft, but as long as the glitter sticks to it, and it holds its shape, the rest of the process should be fine. I hope that helps :) Good luck :)

[@BenNortonStarWarsRules]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Wow, thank you for the prompt response! Good idea. I'll try that :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@BenNortonStarWarsRules No worries, thanks Ben. I have decided to buy some Sculpey III so that in future I can answer with more experience ;) so thanks for helping me increase my knowledge too :)

[@nobodyuknow6337]

Those are beautiful. I have made ornaments but nothing that stunning. I have been trying to find out, something. What do you use to keep your hands from drying out? I am using Working Hands, right now and it does a great job healing BUT not so much restoring the moisture. I have been trying to find out what work for others.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much :) I am very lucky in that the clay doesn't dry my hands too much, I normally moisturise once a day, just as part of a normal routine, nothing clay related. I use Vaseline Intensive Care Hand lotion, which keeps mine fine. Normally it is gardening or housework that dries mine out rather then the clay!! There are some people who are very badly affected though. I know some people need to wear gloves, others use the 'false skin' barrier creams, but I don't have any personal experience of that. It's worth asking the question on one of the popular polymer clay Facebook sites. I am sure you will get a deluge of answers and really useful advice :) you are not alone :) I hope that helps a bit ? :)

[@DerekDogsforSentience]

Hello and happy new year Fiona. 😊 I was re watching this video, as I often do for forgotten tips and tricks and because they are lovely and SUPER relaxing, and I have wondered if you have any preferred bio degradable glitters? I’ve seen a lot about this recently, that glitter is bad for the environment, and I thought perhaps you may be able to advise on a good brand? Obviously I will be using what I have until it goes, but as I replenish I’d like not to participate in causing the planet any further problems with my glitter addiction 😂 Many thanks 🙏

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Hi Linda, yes I do in fact use biodegradable glitter all the time now, and the glitter in this video was, even though I hadn't realised it at the time, or I would have mentioned it - I buy mine at Glitter Magic, you can search for them unbder biodegradable glitter ;) glittermagic.co.uk/?s=biodegradable+glitter&post_type=product I hope that helps :)

[@DerekDogsforSentience]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals thank you so much for this! I will do 👍

[@Kementiri]

These are so lovely :) Where did you order the glass baubles from? thanks!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I actually bough a pack of 50 60mm glass baubles in a home furnishing shop about 3 years ago, which has since gone out of business, so can't give you a link to that :( However, if you just do a search on 6mm glass baubles there are many places online that sell them. Amazon do, I know, but of course many other places do too, and you may find better deals elsewhere :)

[@silverguardiancreations2014]

How would I do it if I used liquid clay and glitter??

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Mix the same proportion of liquid clay and glitter that I used for the paint and glitter. Add it in exactly the same way, wipe off any excess, and then re-bake the bauble for 30 minutes or so. Any excess mixture can be stored and kept as the liquid clay will of course still be good to use on another bauble/project. I hope that helps? Thank you :)

[@joni22262]

I’m a crafting painting mathematicians. You are doing some advanced mathematical principals. Your squares are too small to see that the corners are larger than 180 degrees but if you draw a triangle or square on a round ballon you’ll see the triangle is more than 90 degrees and the square is more than 360 degrees. That’s why the bit is so trouble some. Your paper is 2-dimensional and your bulb is 3-dimensional. If you took a globe and laid it out on a table the lines will go up in the northern hemisphere and done in the Southern Hemisphere . I mention mc Escher in a different post. If you don’t know his work you should look it up. He was an artist who wanted his art to go further on his restricted two dimensional plane and he did. He actually demonstrated advance mathematics that is used in computers and digital filming. I love your work and hope I don’t bore you with facts you may already know. Artist and musician are great at using mathematical principals and Fibonacci’s mean also know as the golden ratio. Hope your new mediums are working out well. Love your work in your website. If you made your pattern with polymer clay it would be right on as well as the other pieces because polymer clay stretches and it would accommodate the curve of the sphere.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Joni, that is really interesting :) I was never keen on Maths at school, but I love patterns, which are of course maths ;) If only I had been taught that way in school. I will not always get the terminology right, as I am coming at it from a different angle (there we go, maths again ;) ) but my aim is to get others less worried about things they may usually consider too complicated, and to break things down into manageable bite sizes for them :)

[@joni22262]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals I love that you cover all the bases and make it very friendly to do. I love your work and so wished you had a teacher like me. In America we still teach only Euclidean geometry (it geometry in two dimensions). When you do things on spheres your using non-Euclidean geometry. This is where the angles in a triangle is more than 180 or in a square is more than 360. I’m really enjoying your take on polymer clay. I just watched the tiered box video. Thank you for all your replies and hearts. Can’t wait to see what your new median will bring. (I referring to your note in your shop)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@joni22262 Thanks so much Joni, I wish I had had a teacher like you too ;) I am playing around with fractal patterns at the moment, only at a very basic level, as of course the reduction process of polymer is so variable, that the patterns will not create a true fractal, but just having fun getting inspired for new patterns. One of these days I may attempt a Fibonacci cane, but that may be pushing things a bit too far for the clay ;) thanks so much for all your comments, and the knowledge you have shared :)

[@joni22262]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals there are picture I’d like to send you of eschers work. You do amazing things. I’m happy to answer any questions you have and the Fibonacci sequence is 1,1,2,3,5,8,13... 0+1,1+1,2+3,3+5,5+8... The number on the left gets added to the number on the right then you get the next number in the sequence. The ratio of the numbers when they get a bit larger are the golden mean and it a number that’s used like PI. What you and most artist like you don’t realize is you see and use the golden mean. It’s the spacing of your lips, nose etc on your face, your limbs etc. It’s the length and width of an egg, Christmas tree, star etc. All these things can be impossible to get just right. But artist just naturally know the length and width to use or the distance between the nose and Cupid of the lips. This ratio is seen from the very first pieces of art, the geek Parathion (sp?) I think it’s great your tackling fractals. It might help to start with tessellation’s first. Same concept but not so heavy with math. I really would love to share some insight about Escher work with you. You would love it. Thanks again for the quick replies. I was watching videos on caning because I want to use the excluder to put in my soap. So now I’m in a whirlwind of amazing creative people that make me want to pick up my polymer clay and do some amazing tessellation’s than paint start night on a puzzle soap. I found a person who is as amazing with soap as you are with polymer clay . I just want to put a pumpkin or something even simplistic in my soap. Now I’m inspired to go so much farther and beyond. I don’t know if I should thank you or get mad at you LOL. You are definitely a muse. Thank you so very much for so much inspiration.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

@@joni22262 Yes, I love the Fibonacci sequence, I don't think of it as Math, but as an increasing pattern ;) I was lying awake last night thinking how I'd approach it in a cane, so I have added it to the growing list of projects I will attempt this year :) Thanks for all your wonderful, knowledgeable comments :) I did go and search for his works, and yes, I love his pieces. I had of course seen many of them before, but I am very bad at remembering names at times ;)