Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Why spend a small fortune shopping for a similar frame in catalogs or boutiques when it’s so easy to make in the comfort of your own home? 

Materials

• Heart frame with large surface area
• STAEDTLER FIMO Soft Oven Bake Clay, White, two packages

Tools

• Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paints: Eucalyptus, Moss Green
• Lowe-Cornell Flat Glaze Paintbrush, Series 798, 1”
• Delta Ceramcoat Clear Glaze
• Delta Ceramcoat Matter Interior Spray Varnish
• Fern rubber stamp
• Clay-dedicated pasta machine or acrylic brayer
• Oven and parchment-lined baking sheet
• Textured fabric scrap (optional)
• Delta Sobo Glue

Basic Supplies

paper towels, craft knife

Directions

STEP 1

Apply thin layer of glue to front of frame; let dry.

STEP 2

Condition clay on work surface until pliable. Roll clay to 1⁄8” thickness. Cover front of frame with clay, piecing as needed. Use craft knife to trim excess clay around frame edges and use fingers to smooth edges. If desired, cover clay with fabric scrap and use brayer to imprint texture.

STEP 3

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to stamp fern into clay. (Note: Apply enough pressure to stamp to leave a distinct impression.) Bake clay on parchment-lined baking sheet at 265° for 30 minutes. Let cool. (Note: Weight frame while cooling to keep it flat if necessary.)

STEP 4

Mix equal parts of each paint color with glaze. Randomly paint frame with both glaze mixtures, allowing glaze to settle into stamped impressions. Immediately wipe frame with paper towel until desired look is achieved; let dry. Apply two coats of varnish to frame.

Tip

• Can’t locate a heart frame? Cut a frame front from foam board or wood, then adhere to the front of an old picture frame.

by Sandy Laipply 

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