Donna Kato, author of The Art of Polymer Clay (Watson-Guptill Publications, 1997), demonstrates how to make one-of-a-kind candleholders using inexpensive pieces of PVC pipe and polymer clay. Materials:
FimoB. clay in the following colors: black #9, red #2, orange #4, light turquoise #32, blue #37 and magenta #21
PVC reducer (a plumbing fitting used between two different sizes of PVC pipe: one end might fit a 3" pipe and the other a 2" pipe)
Porcelaine 150B. paint (by Pebeo) in gold or copper
Cosmetic sponge for paint application
NubladeB. or surgical blade
Pasta machine or brayer (Note: After a pasta machine has been used to condition clay, it cannot be used in food preparation.)
Super GlueB.
Scalpel or needle tool
Conditioning the Clay Polymer clay must be conditioned before use. Begin conditioning the clay by squeezing it on all sides. The clay is very responsive to pressure and will take on an elastic feel. Roll it into a ball, then a snake. Fold it back on itself, and roll a snake again. Repeat a few times, then roll a cylinder. Cut 1/8"-thick slices from the cylinder, and roll them through the pasta machine on a thin setting. Roll each slice and integrate into the whole. Continue until all the slices are integrated and the sheet feels supple and elastic. Another method is to cut thin slices from the Fimo block and roll them through a thin setting of the pasta machine. Fold and roll until the slice is conditioned, then continue rolling and folding, adding new slices as you go. - Using a sponge, apply paint to the top rim and the base area of the PVC reducer. Let dry.
- Roll a sheet of black clay through the thickest setting of the pasta machine. Cut a strip the same width as the side of the reducer. Wrap the strip around, trimming neatly (figure A). Smooth the joint with your fingers.
- Roll another sheet of black clay the same thickness as before. Apply glue to the bottom of the reducer and place it on the clay sheet. Place the clay sheet on a piece of paper.
- Using a scalpel or other sharp blade, cut the clay around the base of the reducer.
- To make a border cane, roll a sheet of blue and a sheet of light turquoise--approximately 1/2 package of each. (Note: A cane is a rod or log of clay with a pattern running through its length. The border cane is a border of cane circles made by cutting narrow round slices from the cane and placing them flat against the PVC pipe, very close together, so the edges of the slices butt up against each other and the clay covers the pipe.) Place one sheet atop the other and trim. Cut in half and stack to make a slab of four layers. Cut in half and stack again two more times to make a finished stack of 16 layers. Trim neatly. Repeat the entire process to make a striped slab using red and orange clay.
- From each slab, cut so that the face of the cane is square. This should yield two rectangular loaves with square faces.
- Stand each cane up on end, and slice diagonally through. Separate the pieces, creating four right-angle triangles.
- Reassemble the blue cane by pressing two of the sides together, diagonal sides out, forming two sides of the reassembled triangle-shaped cane.
- Press the diagonal side of one of the orange/red halves onto the diagonal side of the blue cane, then press the remaining half of the orange/red cane onto the other side. You now have a rectangular loaf with the blue triangle in the middle and two right-angle orange/red triangles to each side.
- Square up the cane by compressing the sides.
- Cut thin slices, and beginning at the bottom, lay them side by side, encircling the reducer. Repeat until the entire reducer is covered. Place the pieces one atop the other, or offset them to create a zigzag pattern.
- Roll a black snake 1/4" in diameter, and encircle the top above the cane slices.
- Roll a magenta snake 1/8" in diameter, and encircle the top above the black snake.
- Bake in a preheated 265-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely before handling.
- Crumple foil and push into the holder. Secure the candle in the holder by dripping wax onto the foil and pressing the candle to the foil. Pour sand on the foil, and fill the holder.
RESOURCES :
Mark Masica
Watson-Guptill Publications
Website: www.watsonguptill.com
Harry Segil, Interior Designer
Harry Art Furniture
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 310-559-7863
Fax: 310-559-3387
Email: harryart@earthlink.net
The Art of Polymer Clay
Model: 0823002780
Author: Donna Kato
Watson-Guptill Publications
Website: www.watsonguptill.com
Porcelaine 150
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