Tag Archives: Clay

Tiger Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Do you know a tiger’s roar can be heard over a mile away? Turn craft time into something educational for your kids! Discuss fun tiger facts while you spend quality time together making this cool clay cat.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Orange, White

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, paintbrush with rounded end

Directions

Size

3″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Tiger

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For tiger, roll large Orange ball (head), two small Orange balls (ears), four Orange logs (legs), and skinny Orange rope (tail). Roll two small White balls (muzzle), four small White teardrops (paws), and one slightly smaller White teardrop (mouth).

3. Roll skinny Black ropes (stripes). Press stripes on legs and tail. Press legs together as shown in photo, rounding at top to create body. Press tail to back of body. Roll tiny Black triangles; press to ears and head; see photo. Press head on body, then ears and mouth on head. Indent ears and mouth using rounded end of paintbrush. For muzzle, press two White balls to top of mouth. For nose, roll tiny Black ball; slightly flatten and form into triangle. Press nose on top of muzzle. Use toothpick to add eye and muzzle holes.

4. Press paws on ends of legs. Use toothpick to add details on paws.

5. Position tiger on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

 

Handmade Snowflake Polymer Clay Pendant

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Sparkling Swarovski Elements, shimmering Sculpey Premo! Accents pendant, and shining Beadalon silver-toned chains combine to create an idyllically icy and frosty necklace sure to impress.

Whether you are a polymer clay pro, or you have never worked with it but find the medium interesting, this technique is fun and the project is beautiful once completed. So if you find the Winter Blues are getting you down, try giving them a reason to make you shine!!! This is a great time of year to start learning a new craft and or new crafting technique.

materials

  • Beadalon Round Twist Light Solid Ring
  • Beadalon Non-Tarnish Silver Artistic Wire, 18-gauge
  • Beadalon silver findings: chain, lobster clasp, head pins; silver triangular connectors, two
  • Swarovski Elements Crystal Bicones & Pearls, in assorted sizes and colors (approx. 12)
  • Polyform Sculpey Pearl Premo! Accents Clay

tools

  • Impression Obsession Winter Seals
  • PolyformSculpey: Clay Conditioning Machine, Premo! Sculepy Round Crinkle Cutter, Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Glossy Glaze
  • Ranger Ink Adirondack Denim Alcohol Ink
  • Hand drill and small drill bit
  • Beadalon: Wire Snips, Round-Nose Pliers, Chain-Nose Pliers
  • Fine-grit sandpaper
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet and oven

directions

Pendant

1 Use clay conditioning machine to condition Pearl clay. Roll through to #1 thickness.

2 Place conditioned clay on parchment-lined baking sheet. Stamp image of snowflake on clay. Center Round Crinkle Cutter around image; press down firmly to cut clay.

3 Bake stamped disc according to manufacturer’s instructions in oven. While disc cools, mix dime-sized amount of Liquid Sculpey with one drop of Denim alcohol ink. Mix thoroughly.

4 Once clay is cool, apply tinted mixture to top surface of stamped disc making sure to fill in crevices fully, coating top surface with thin layer of mixture. Bake again following manufacturer’s instructions.

5 Once clay is cool, sand top surface to remove excess tint and highlight stamped image. Use small drill bit to drill tiny hole in top edge of pendant. Seal pendant with Glossy Glaze. Set aside to dry.

Necklace

1 Use chain-nose pliers to create three lengths of chain 3” long. Remove one link from one, and two links from another, to create two chain pieces slightly shorter than first. Use pliers to open one link on each end; place through loop on top loop on triangular connectors. Repeat for second set of chain ends. Cut two lengths of chain 7” long and attach to single top loops on triangular connectors.

2 On end of one chain, attach lobster clasp. Open end link of second chain; attach twist solid ring and close link.

3 Pass one 4mm bicone crystal onto head pin followed by one 8mm bicone crystal. Use chain-nose pliers to bend at end. Use wire snips to snip head pin to about 3/8”. Use round-nose pliers to create loop at top of head pin. Use chain-nose pliers to twist open loop; attach to chain and twist to close.

4 Repeat Step 3 using assorted sizes and colors of crystals and pearls as shown. Attach to chain as shown.

5 Use Silver Artistic Wire and dowel to create two jump rings. Use same wire and round-nose pliers to create “S” ring as shown. Use chain-nose pliers to twist open each jump ring. Thread one jump ring through pendant and bottom of “S” ring; twist closed. Thread second jump ring through center of bottom chain and top of “S” ring; twist closed.

 Tip

  • Try using various colors of ink and different types of stamp images when creating pendant for a wonderful variety suited to any style and taste.

by Keri Lee Sereika (www.pinklemonade.typepad.com)

Parrot Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

A perfect playmate for any “little pirate”, this colorful parrot is sure to stimulate the imagination! Made from clay, your child’s new feathered friend will bring a ton of fun along with it.

 

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Blue, Red, White, Yellow
  • Black chenille stems, two 12” lengths

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, scissors, ruler

Directions

Size

3″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

parrot

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For parrot, roll large Red oval (body) and two large Red balls (wings). Form one end of body into tail. Shape other end of body to create head. Shape and press wings on sides of body.

3. For feathers, roll Yellow and Blue logs and press on wings. See photo. Slide toothpick downward along wing to create feather details.

4. Roll two White ovals (eyes) and press on sides of head. Roll two tiny Black balls (pupils) and press on eyes. Roll two tiny Black logs (beak) and press on front of head.

5. For legs, measure and cut two 6” lengths of black chenille stem; fold in half and twist together to create 3” legs. Cut small 3” black chenille stem lengths; twist around legs, forming claws. Insert chenille stem ends into bottom of body.

6. Position parrot on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Stamped Fern Frame

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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 

Giraffe Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Creative play and working with their hands is a great way for children to develop and “stretch” their imagination. Always a favorite attraction at the zoo, just think of the fun your child will have “on a safari” after creating this adorable giraffe.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Brown, Green, Tan, White

Tools

  • Old or promo credit card (for cutter)
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick

Directions

Size

5” tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Giraffe

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For giraffe, roll large Tan oval (body), small Tan oval (head), and five Tan logs (neck and legs). Press head on neck, neck on body, and legs on body. Use photo as guide. Smooth clay. Roll four small Black balls (hooves); press onto bottom of legs.

3. For base, roll flat Green square. Press giraffe on square.

4. For spots, roll small irregular-shaped Brown balls; flatten and press onto giraffe.

5. For mane, roll Brown log; press along neck and part of head. See photo.

6. For ears, roll one small Brown oval. Cut in half widthwise; press to top of head on each side of mane.

7. For eyes, roll two tiny White balls and two tiny Black balls. Press Black balls on White balls; press eyes on head. For eyelids, roll one small Tan oval; flatten. Cut in half lengthwise; press over top of eyes.

8. Use toothpick to make holes in front side of head for nostrils.

9. Position giraffe on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Lion Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Roarrrr in the new year with fun activities for the kids. Your kids can create this lovable lion from clay in no time at all, but will have hours of fun playing with it. Watch for more clay zoo friend creations in your upcoming Crafts ‘n things Craft-of-the-Day projects.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Orange, White, Yellow

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, paintbrush with rounded end

Directions

Size

4″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Lion

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For lion, roll large Yellow ball (head), two small Yellow balls (ears), four Yellow logs (legs), five small Yellow teardrops (paws and mouth), and skinny Yellow rope (tail). Press legs together as shown in photo, rounding at top to create body. Press tail to back of body. Press head on body and ears on head. Press one teardrop to head for mouth. For paws, press one teardrop to each leg. Indent ears and mouth using rounded end of paintbrush.

3. Roll large Orange ball (mane) and wrap around head. Smooth edges. Roll one small Orange teardrop (bangs); flatten and press to top of mane. Use toothpick to add details to mane and bangs. Roll small Orange ball; press to end of tail.

4. For muzzle, roll two small White balls; press together, then press to head above mouth. For nose, roll small Black ball; slightly flatten. Press nose on muzzle. Use toothpick to add eye, muzzle, and paw details.

5. Position lion on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Sprinkled With Fun Card

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Add dimension and a new texture to your cards. Premo! Sculpey-embellished cards are safe for mailing and they’re quite a conversation piece.

Materials

  • Polyform Premo! Sculpey Oven-Bake Clay: Orange, White, Bright Green Pearl
  • White cardstock
  • Doodlebug Design Sugar and Spice Collection 6”x6” Paper Pad

Tools

  • Polyform Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine
  • Oven
  • Ceramic tile
  • Martha Stewart Crafts Embroidery Deep Edge Punch
  • Stamps: Penny Black Sweet Thing; Hero Arts Cupcakes Clear Set, Birthday Clear Set
  • Large acrylic block
  • Tsukineko Ink Pads: StazOn Jet Black; Brilliance Dew Drop Pearlescent Rust, Pearlescent Ivy
  • Watercolor pencils
  • Adhesives: paper adhesive, 3M Scotch Brand Quick-Dry Adhesive

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, detail scissors, ruler, pencil, craft knife, small paintbrush, toothpick

Directions

Size

4-1/4”x5-1/2”

Card

(Note: Start with clean hands and work surface. Good work surfaces include waxed paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best results, clean hands between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275 °F for 30 minutes per 1/4” of thickness. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. Do not use microwave oven. Do not exceed above temperature or recommended baking time. Wash hands after use.)

1. Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay.

2. For best results, condition all clay by running it through Clay Conditioning Machine several passes on widest setting. Fold clay in half after each pass and insert folded side into rollers first.

3. Mix large pinch of White clay with half of Orange clay to create marbled color. With Clay Conditioning Machine on #2 setting, roll marbled clay into long sheet. Place sheet on ceramic tile.

4. Stamp black cupcake row image onto clay sheet. Using craft knife, trim around top of cupcakes. Trim strip to 4-1/4” long; leave clay on tile and set aside.

5. Roll ball of marbled orange clay same size as cherry on top of Sweet Thing stamp cupcake. Place on tile with stamped cupcake border; be sure pieces do not touch. Roll six tiny Orange balls and six tiny Bright Green Pearl balls same size as trim on cupcake border. Place tiny balls on tile; be sure pieces do not touch. Use toothpick to indent center of each tiny ball. Bake as directed above. Allow to cool and set aside.

6. Stamp black Sweet Thing image onto white cardstock; let dry. Color image with watercolor pencils; paint over colors with water to create blended effect. Let dry. Detail cut image.

7. Make 4-1/4”x5-1/2” white side-fold card. Cut 4-1/4”x5-1/2” green paper panel; ink edges Ivy and adhere to card front.

8. Stamp black sentiment onto orange paper; ink edges Rust. Mat sentiment on larger orange paper piece; ink edges Rust and adhere to card as shown.

9. Border punch orange paper strip; trim to 4-1/4” long and adhere to top of card. Adhere girl image to card as shown.

10. Adhere clay pieces to card with Quick-Dry Adhesive; let dry.

Tip

Coat stamped cupcake with adhesive and sprinkle with ultra-fine glitter for a sugary look.

by Iris Weiss for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Polar Bear Snowflake Ornament

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids love Christmas but awaiting Santa’s arrival can be really difficult. Make the final hours until Santa arrives go by quickly with this fun family activity.

Materials

  • Polymer clay: white, black, assorted colors
  • Paper clip

Tools

  • Pink powdered blush
  • Toothpick
  • Clay-dedicated rolling pin or acrylic brayer
  • Craft knife
  • Oven and parchment-lined baking sheet

Basic Supplies

scissors, black marker, ruler, cotton swab

Directions

Size

4″ tall

Ornament

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. Print and cut out pattern.

3. Roll 2” white clay ball. Flatten ball to 1/4” thickness. Use craft knife to cut snowflake from white clay.

4. For head, roll 1/2” white clay ball. For arms, roll two 1/2” clay balls. Press and shape head and arms on one point of snowflake.

5. For ears, roll two small white clay balls. Press ears on head. For nose, roll tiny black clay ball. Press nose on face. For eyes, roll two tiny black balls. Press eyes above nose.

6. For hat, roll 1/2” ball from colored clay of choice. Form ball into triangle shape. Press hat onto head. Roll skinny log and tiny ball from same-color clay. Press log along bottom edge and ball on top of hat.

7. Use toothpick to add paw lines and muzzle line. Add lines on hat. Use cotton swab to apply pink blush on cheeks.

8. For hanger, use scissors to cut paper clip in half. Insert cut ends into back of hat.

9. Position ornament on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake ornament in oven at 225º F for 25 minutes. Let cool.

10. Use black marker to write name, year, or other message on center of snowflake.

by Lori Allberry

Snowman Christmas Tag

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

This dimensional tag is a special addition to presents and works great on scrapbook pages after the holiday.

Materials

  • Polyform Premo! Sculpey Oven-Bake Clay: Pomegranate, Orange, Accents Frost White Glitter
  • Papers: green/white dot, red/white dot
  • Red/white polka-dot ribbon

Tools

  • Polyform Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine
  • Oven
  • Ceramic tile
  • Stamps: Stampendous! Small Typewriter Alphabet, Inkadinkado Ornate Christmas Cling Set
  • Large acrylic block
  • Tsukineko StazOn Jet Black Ink Pad
  • Adhesives: paper adhesive, 3M Scotch Brand Quick-Dry Adhesive

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, hole punch, craft knife, toothpick

Directions

(Note: Start with clean hands and work surface. Good work surfaces include waxed paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Knead clay until soft and smooth. For best results, clean hands between colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces together firmly. Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275° F for 30 minutes per 1/4” of thickness. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. Do not use microwave oven. Do not exceed above temperature or recommended baking time. Wash hands after use.)

1. Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay.

2. For best results, condition all clay by running it through Clay Conditioning Machine several passes on widest setting. Fold clay in half after each pass and insert folded side into rollers first.

3. With Clay Conditioning Machine on #2 setting, roll half of Frost White Glitter clay into sheet. Place sheet on ceramic tile.

4. Stamp black snowman image onto clay sheet. Using craft knife, trim around snowman. Roll three tiny Pomegranate balls and place over berries on stamped hat band. Shape small Orange tapered coil and place over nose on stamped snowman. Using toothpick, add crosshatch marks to carrot nose. Bake as directed above. Allow to cool and set aside.

5. Cut two 2-1/4”x4” green dot paper pieces; adhere tags together back to back. Punch hole at one end. Trim two top corners to create tag shape.

6. Stamp “be merry” on red dot paper strip. Adhere strip to tag on an angle; trim ends. Adhere snowman to tag with Quick-Dry Adhesive; let dry.

7. Thread ribbon through hole; knot end together just above hole.

Tip

Look for stamps to create dimensional elements like reindeer, Christmas trees, and more.

by Iris Weiss for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

As Autumn Winds Down

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Depending on where you live, if you don’t have a lot of wind in autumn, you may still have some leaves on your trees. In Northern California where I am, there are still trees laden with golden leaves. However, if your leaves are all gone but you’re still in a fall mood, why not make some fall leaves and decorate with them? I designed this fun fall-themed photo holder as a way to bring all the color of fall inside where it is warm and cozy.

This is an easy fall craft project to make. I used unfinished wooden photo holders and AMACO Cloud Clay for the leaves. Cloud Clay is an air-dry clay so it’s easy to use for kids and adults and it can take quite a bit of detail as you can see in my Gingko leaves. If you don’t have a leaf mold in your stash, you can cut leaf shapes from Cloud Clay using regular scissors once it has dried a bit or you can use a cookie cutter. Cloud Clay colors can be mixed so you can get the colors of your choice – it’s a great medium to use for a range of fun crafts.

Here’s how to make this Fall photo stand :

materials

  • DecoArt Finish It Jumbo Paper Clip Photo Holders
  • AMACO Cloud Clay: Orange, White

tools

  • Acrylic roller (optional)
  • Leaf mold or leaf shape cookie cutter (optional)
  • Gesso
  • Acrylic paint: terra cotta, white
  • Glaze medium
  • White craft glue

basic supplies

scissors, paper towel, paintbrush

directions

Step 1

Paint the photo holders with a coat of gesso and set aside till dry.

Step 2

Paint the photo holders with two coats of terra cotta paint and set aside to dry.

Step 3

Make the leaves by mixing some Orange and White clay to get the color you want. I went for a golden color which matches the colors of the Gingko leaves. Knead the clay until it is soft and pliable. Pinch off enough Cloud Clay to fill your mold and then press the Cloud Clay into the mold to fill it. Release the Cloud Clay from the mold and set it aside to dry. You will need one leaf for each side of each photo holder.If you’re not using a mold, roll the clay to make a 3/8″ sheet and cut your leaf shapes from it using a cookie cutter. Alternately, wait until the clay is dry to the touch and cut leaf shapes from it using sharp scissors.

Step 4

Mix the white paint into some glaze medium and paint the photo holder with the white glaze. Immediately wipe the paint off with a paper towel.

Step 5

When the glaze layer is dry and your Gingko leaves are dry, adhere to the photo holders using Elmer’s white glue.

Step 6

Print some favorite fall photos and place in the photo holders. Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy your personalized photo holder, perhaps contemplating other fun crafts to make this holiday season.

Check back over the next few days as we share more fun crafts for you to make and enjoy.

by Helen Bradley (www.craftinggoodness.com)