Here’s something almost nobody says out loud: what stops people from sharing their first piece usually isn’t the piece itself. It’s the fear of what people will think. The one thing every maker is secretly afraid of.
What if it looks amateur? What if someone picks it apart? What if I post it and nobody responds?
That fear is why so many beautiful first attempts never leave the workbench. Which is a shame! Your first pendant or first resin pour is something to be proud of. You made a thing with your hands that didn’t exist before.
A real maker community isn’t a place to get critiqued. It’s a place to get cheered on.
That’s the community we’ve built around CRAFTCAST.com. We celebrate a slightly wonky first piece, not pick it apart. Other makers, many who started exactly where you are, show up to say, “Mine looked like that too at first!”
You’ll find that in our private Facebook group: weekly prompts, teachers who show up to answer questions. Nobody’s there to judge your work. Everybody’s there to make sure you don’t stop. Join us on Facebook
Next week: going from “I made this for myself” to “I sold my first piece”, and how much closer that is than you think.
September 9, 2026
If you’ve searched “how to make polymer clay earrings” or “metal clay firing tutorial,” you’ve probably found no shortage of free videos. So why pay for a class at all?
Here’s the honest difference.
Free tutorials can show you the steps. Our master teachers give you the knowledge, techniques, and troubleshooting skills to truly understand what you’re making.
A free video is often a single demonstration, one project, one way of doing it. There’s no way to anticipate exactly where you’ll get stuck or what might go differently in your studio. And that’s fine…until your clay behaves differently, your kiln settings aren’t the same, or your resin cures into a sticky mess. Suddenly, you’re left pausing, rewinding, and scrolling through comments, hoping someone else had the same problem and found the answer.
A master teacher has taught this technique to hundreds of students. They already know where people get confused because they’ve watched it happen, over and over. So they don’t just show you a technique. They show you:
• The why behind each step, so when something looks off, you know what’s actually happening and how to fix it.
• The common mistake right before it happens, not after you’ve already made it.
• The stuff that’s hard to put in a written instruction list, like how clay should feel when it’s ready, or what “almost cured” looks like.
That’s the difference between following steps and actually learning a skill you can repeat on your own, piece after piece.
At Craftcast, every class is taught by a recognized master in their material, metal clay, polymer clay, etc. They have spent years figuring out exactly how to get a beginner from “confused” to “I made this.” You’re not guessing your way through a video. You’re learning from someone who already knows where you’re about to get stuck.
September 3, 2026
Last week I talked about why “I’m not artistic enough” is the wrong problem. This week, let’s talk about the moment that convinces so many people it’s true. One of the first big problems is … the crack.
Polymer clay that cracks right out of the oven. Metal clay that cracks or splits during firing, right when you were sure it was done. It happens to almost everyone at some point, and almost every time, it traces back to the same basic issue: moisture and air trapped where it shouldn’t be.
With polymer clay, tiny air pockets get worked into the clay during conditioning and shaping. Bake it, and that trapped air expands faster than the clay can, so it splits or cracks.
With metal clay, it’s usually about drying time. If a piece goes into the kiln before it’s fully dry, the moisture still inside turns to steam during firing and has nowhere to go, so something has to give, and what happens is never what was planned!
Neither of these is a talent problem. They’re both a technique problem with a specific, learnable fix. Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s learning how to condition your clay and techniques that work the air out instead of in, plus a drying routine that tells you when a piece is actually ready for the kiln.
This is exactly what our master teachers walk you through, step-by-step, so you know what “ready” actually looks and feels like, not just what the instruction pamphlet says.
And if it still happens? You’re not stuck troubleshooting alone. Email us or ask in our private Facebook group, and we’ll help you figure out what happened and how to fix it next time.
Next week: how to pick your very first class when there are dozens of tempting options. A simple way to choose without the overwhelm!
So the supplies sit in a drawer. Or you tried once, it didn’t come out right, and you’re disappointed and blame your lack of creative talent.
Here’s the truth: talent isn’t what makes a beautiful piece. Technique does.
That “how did they DO that?” reaction you get looking at handmade jewelry? That’s not a gift. It’s a specific technique, a way of conditioning clays so it fires correctly, or a firing schedule that’s been proven to work, or a pour method that keeps bubbles out. Someone learned it, step by step. Their hands just know what to do now.
Most people who “fail” at a craft didn’t lack ability, they got stuck at one moment (one cut, one setting, one pour) with no one there to say here’s exactly what to do next. So they stopped, and called it no talent. It wasn’t. It was a gap in instruction.
That’s why CRAFTCAST.com exists. Our classes are taught by recognized master teachers who know exactly where students get stuck and walk you through it, at your own pace.
You don’t need to be “the artistic type.” You need someone to show you the technique clearly. That part, we’ve got covered.
Next week’s newsletter. The one small mistake behind almost every cracked piece whether it’s polymer clay that split in the oven or metal clay that fractured during firing and how to avoid the problem.
As we step into 2026, we’re also celebrating a milestone that still feels a little unreal: 21 years of craftcast.com.
What began as a simple idea, to connect makers through learning and creativity, has grown into a worldwide community of artists, teachers, and curious hands who love to make things with heart. Over the years, we’ve shared techniques, tools, experiments, happy accidents, and more than a few “aha!” moments together.
From polymer clay to metal clay, texture tools to mixed media, CRAFTCAST has always been about more than projects. It’s about connection, learning from each other, cheering each other on, and creating across time zones, cultures, and skill levels.
To every artist who’s taught a class, every student who’s taken a leap and tried something new, and everyone who’s been part of this journey: thank you. You’ve shaped CRAFTCAST into what it is today.
Here’s to 2026, to 21 years of creativity, and to many more moments of inspiration made together, all around the world.
CRAFTCAST, the podcast, was born 20 years ago this March.
Hard to believe.
People from around the world listened in.
The concept of teaching online was born when I was at an in-person workshop,
At the end of the workshop, people went to the bar to hang out.
I decided to sit with two men I didn’t know personally but had terrific creative reputations.
It was Robert Dancik and Tim McCreight, both inspiring teachers.
I introduced myself and took a chance. The internet was infancy, but I asked them if they would like to teach online. They both agreed without a second thought.
I was thrilled but walked to my car, wondering how the heck that could work. There weren’t any 3rd party apps like Zoom or the like.
I got home, went into my studio, and worked on figuring it out.
Here is the setup I came up with. Robert’s class was first.
I announced the class time, day, and cost on My Space and Facebook pages as well as the podcast.
I had Robert call me using his phone, yes, a landline. I connected the phone receiver to a device, allowing my computer to hear the call. I sent 82 people who had signed up a link to a “Chat Box” plus a link to listen to Robert and me talking over my computer.
Crazy.
Once we were all on, I would paste links to photos uploaded on my blog into the chat box. Everyone would see the link in the chat box and could click it to open a browser window on their computer showing the image that Robert was talking about.
It worked.
There was no video, of course, but step-by-step photos made it all work.
The only problem was that people started texting each other in the chat box. It was exciting to see the names of old creative friends and it turned into a big chat party.
Before Robert officially started, I told Robert I had to run upstairs to my husband’s computer, log in, and start the recording software.
“Hold on”, I said to Robert.
I ran up the stairs and quickly got all going.
I ran back down and told Robert we were going to start.
He was laughing.
“We could hear you running,” he said.
But so it went.
And it was fabulous.
Thank you, Robert, for saying yes.
Here we are all these years later.
Now, it is an easy one-click to join a live class. Everything is high-definition video, and we still have a great time!
I’m lucky I love what I do.
I get to mix crafting and creating with tech.
Many’ve told me it’s an odd combo, but it works for me!
I love it at the end of a class when everyone is emailing and texting me how excited they are to give what they learned a try. It’s a dopamine hit, for sure!
And so it goes.
2025 has begun, and I’m always thrilled to work with master instructors worldwide who will join me to create a LIVE online learning experience.
It’s clear to me that people love being creatively inspired wherever they live on the planet.
The new year is almost here. Woo Hoo. I always try to find a bit of personal time during the holiday week to learn new skills. It’s my gift to me. (And if there is a snowstorm, and you can’t leave the house, even better.)
Here are some FREE VIDEOS with a few of our amazing and generous instructors; Mags Bonham, Cindy Pope, and Pam East.
We think you will love them. Metal Clay Roll Up Beads Extruders Explained Building a Cane Slicer 3D Lithophane Printing and Adding Accent Gold to Metal Clay
Short and sweet but eye-openers. Enjoy. Happy New Year.
I love crafting all year round, but I especially love to create during the holiday season. Whatever holidays you celebrate, it’s fun to take time to make something special, whether in the kitchen or the craft table, so here at CRAFTCAST we have an assortment of classes we think you’ll love.
Dust off your Silhouette or Cricut cutters and start creating Pop-Up Holiday Cards with Shannon Greenlese. She’ll show you how to create a gingerbread house as well as a menorah for holiday pop-up card fun.
And if you’ve been wondering about the Alta 3D Printer , you’ll love this class with Kelly Wayment. She will walk you through printer set-up basics and then show you how to create a personalized ornament complete with a sparkle finish.
Join master bakers Cindi Raven and Nancy Westfall and learn how to make spectacular show-stopping Holiday Cookies .
I love my garden auger bit for my drill! It made planting 250 bulbs a whole lot easier than last year when I only had a shovel. If you don’t know about COLORBLENDS.com, check it out. They have an amazing selection and the quality is superior. This year I added even more daffodils, and then added 100 of mixed tulip bulbs. It’s always a happy time of year when they start to show the little green tops coming up.
Outside clean-up is done for the year. All have been raked, mulched, and planted. For the first season in our new home, it went well. I’ve learned where there is too much sun for one thing. I moved a hydrangea that needed a bit of shade and added a hydrangea that I’ve been told LOVES sun.
I did leave the hammock up. It is fun to have on sunny winter days to do some sky and cloud watching.
Now it’s time to start concentrating on indoor projects. I’ve inherited some wonderful plants from my son who wanted to make more room in his apartment. I think they’ll be happy here. The next project is getting some plant lights installed.
Who loves tools, both new and old? We do! This week on I LOVE Tools we had presenters from around the world showing us all-new tool possibilities. Joy Funnell, a master metal clay artist, and teacher showed us a tool she loves. Watch and see how she creates rolls of metal clay and incorporates the shapes in her work.
Melanie Muir shared with us her new texture plates. Melanie is a master polymer clay artist who is a genius at creating textures and patterns that she incorporates into her jewelry pieces.
Then take a look at the world of 3D printing. Kelly Wayment shows us how to create a “lithophane” with the Alta 3D printer from Silhouette. It’s an art from the 1820s. Artwork was etched or molded into very thin porcelain. The result could only be seen when backlit with a light source. Kelly shows how fun and easy it is to take your photos or artwork and 3D print a lithophane with your design.
Polymer clay artist Shelley Atwood, who is known for her stunning jewelry pieces, show us a bead roller that makes creating uniformly shaped beads a cinch.
Leslie Yowell can make you a 3D mold to your specifications. Check out her ETSY store.
Cindy Pope always had something new to share, and this time it’s templates to use to create her metal clay jewelry pieces.
Pam East has a Free Video to share. Learn how to add gold accents to your metal clay pieces. Such a great way to add even more sparkle and bling.
Etcher Laser came on to show us all their new tools, a machine that can etch patterns and photos into a variety of materials. Oh, the possibilities are endless.
I love showing a few things too. First, I demonstrated a Crayola airbrush, then etching a night light and last, adding metallic foil using your Silhouette or Cricut machines.
Take a look at this Video. It’s free and make sure and download the handout as well for all the links to the tools shown.
At CRAFTCAST, we’ve been working away this past summer, creating all-new LIVE webinars. Of course, we are excited to share with you these upcoming classes. Live this month Mags Bonham will show how to created quilt-like canes with polymer clay. You’ll also learn more about the Silhouette software and how easy it is to design your patterns. Live webinars in November include making silver clay holiday ornaments with Pam East, 3D Printing with the Alta with Kelly Wayment and Metal Clay Felted Sheep Sheep with Sue McNenly. Oh, the fun you can have! Join us and remember, a recording of the class is included so you can watch it again and again.
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What people are saying
Absolutely brilliant class, so much learnt and feeling very inspired and much more confident to start using base metal clays.
All the Craftcast classes are brilliant.
Pauline B
Create Your Own Base Metal Buttons with Pam East
Yes! Pam’s classes are over the top! She offers so much information on how and why to do certain things, that she has already done the legwork on. Her advice is spot-on and trustworthy. Her projects are always beautiful and inspiring!
I watch her classes over and over! If it’s a Pam East class, I am there!
Maureen C.
Create Your Own Base Metal Buttons with Pam East
Pam is extremely knowledge and generous with her information sharing.
