| Millefiori Boxes |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-208 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Q: I want to learn more about the technique where you work with clay to create intricate and colorful patterns. Can you tell me what it's called and how I do it?
A: (Debbie Stapely, Ask DIY Crafts Expert) That technique is millefiori, an Italian word that means "a thousand flowers." It's usually done with molten glass or clay . . . but these instructions are strictly for the clay version! Follow along to create a millefiori box. Materials:
Wooden box
Copper color paint
Several colors of polymer clay
Straight razor blade
Rolling pin
Discard manual pasta press (optional)
- Soften the polymer clay pieces by working them between your hands until they're pliable, or enclosing them in zipper sandwich bags and setting them in hot (not boiling) water for 15 minutes until they're nice and soft. Or, if you like, skip the first few steps and instead purchase pre-formed millefiori canes, which are more elaborate than the type you can make yourself (figure A).
- To create clay medallions that look like flowers, roll a fat yellow polymer "snake" for the center of your clay cane. Then roll six or eight thinner snakes to surround the center, two or three of each color.
- Press the thinner snakes lengthwise around the center snake, alternating colors to create a log that looks like a flower on the end (figure B). Roll the log several times so the individual snakes really stick together. Or, if you like, roll some polymer clay into a sheet with a rolling pin, or feed it through a pasta machine that you don't use anymore for pasta (figure C). Wrap this thin sheet around the edges of the cane to keep the pieces together. Cut off any excess with a straight-edge razor . . . carefully.
- Use the straight-edge razor to slice the cane into quarter-inch thick medallions. If you like, poke a hole in the clay before it dries so you can thread a medallion on a chain to make a necklace.
- Create a millefiori box by painting a wooden box with copper color paint. Then roll out a piece of polymer clay and cut it into a square that fits the box lid. Press it into the box lid. Decorate the top of the clay square with millefiori medallions, pressing them in firmly, and some balls of clay the same color as the copper paint. You can also decorate a painted wooden candlestick with flat diamonds of polymer clay and a few balls of clay in a contrasting color.
- Bake the clay according to package directions.
More Questions for Debbie:
Q: I was given some silverware that has handles decorated with clay. How do I clean them?
A: Hand wash them without soaking. Definitely don't put them in the dishwasher.
Q: Is it possible to make beads out of rose petals?
A: I have never done that, but I would suggest coating a wooden bead with very tacky glue and then covering it with dried, crushed petals. Then spray the surface with some kind of sealer.
Q: Can you tell me how to make candles that look like they have flowers in them?
A: That's very easy to do. You can attach pressed flowers to your candle with spray adhesive and then dip the candle into paraffin wax. If you don't have access to a big bunch of paraffin wax, cover the flowers with wax paper and iron over the paper to set the flowers into the candle. Web site resources for Millefiori Boxes: Easy Chevron Millefiori from Jewelry Crafts. Com Millefiori Crafts from Discovery.Com Millefiori Eggs from Abundance Box.Com Books: 36 Millefiori Canes: Twisted, Layered, Rolled And Sliced -- Canes To Create and Use To Decorate Nearly Anything
by Amy Koranek
ISBN: 156231629X
Hot Off The Press (2000)
1250 NW 3rd
Canby, OR 97013
Phone: 888-326-7255
Web site: www.hotp.com
| 
)
)
)
)
