DIY Network

Metallic Sun Mirror Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to work with polymer clay. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-229

(Continued from page 1)

Completing the Sun Mirror

Guest Karen Mitchell finishes the sun mirror. In another approach to metallic leaf, half balls of leafed clay make stunning accents in the scrolls.

Also, learn how to add other elements to clay such as mirrors and crystals for a beautiful mixed media wall decoration.

advertisement

	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	This unique polymer clay sequin enhanced sun mirror would add a dash of splash to any room in your house.

1. Roll four 1-1/4" balls of conditioned copper clay. Cover each ball in variegated leaf and remove excess by rolling the balls between your palms. Scrape off a little bit of clay on each ball and at the base of each teardrop scroll so they can seal together.

2. Cut each ball in half so that you have eight metallic domes.

3. Remove the cardboard supporters from the sunrays. Put a dot of liquid clay on the dome inside the bottom of the teardrop. Press the dome (where you put the liquid clay) onto the inside of the teardrop. Take a craft stick, cut off an inch and a half, and insert the end into the adhesive. Insert the rounded edge of the craft stick into the center bottom outside edge of the teardrop, less than 1/4" from the bottom of the stick. Make sure the craft stick is pushed through the edge of the teardrop and about 1/2" into the dome. The flat edge of the craft stick should be parallel to the flat surface of the dome. Reshape the sunray if it distorts. Repeat this step for the other seven sunrays. Place the rays with domes on a flat baking sheet and bake for 30-45 minutes at 275 degrees (F). Allow rays to cool once done.

4. While the rays are baking, roll two sheets of copper clay on a number one setting. Place the remaining sheet of leafed copper clay on top of this sheet.

5. Roll the acrylic rod over the surface to stick the two sheets together.

6. Cut eight 1-1/8" circles out of this sheet.

7. Take one circle and spread a thin coat of liquid clay over the surface. Place a 1" mirror in the center and press in place. Roll a 1/16" snake of copper clay and wrap it around the small mirror (figure F), trimming the ends.

8. Press the snake gently in place. Repeat this step for the other seven circles and mirrors. At each line on the foil marking the pie slice shape in the pan, remove a 1/2" square of metallic leaf from the outside edge of the metallic cylinder circling the mirror.

   Tip: This will help the clay scrolls that you will be attaching better adhere to the center section.

9. Dot liquid clay on these eight squares where you have just removed the leaf.

10. Set a teardrop-shaped sunray into the pan center over a line on the foil. Coat the protruding part of the wooden craft stick with liquid polymer clay.

11. Insert the craft stick into the cylinder around the mirror, aligning it with the area where you removed the metallic leaf (figure G). Repeat this step until all sunrays are in place, equally spaced apart.

12. Place one of the small circles with a mirror in between two sunrays, and slide in place so that it is touching the side of each ray (figure H). Mark where the edge of the circle touches each ray, and remove the circle. With your craft knife, remove the leaf on the outside of each ray where you marked it. Put a dot of liquid clay where the leaf has been removed, and slide the circle with the mirror in place. Press the clay together to adhere the circle to the sunrays. Repeat this step for the other seven small mirrors.

13. Roll a 1/4" thick snake of copper clay. Cut eight 1/4" slices, and roll them into balls.

14. Place a dot of liquid clay at the base of each teardrop. Place one copper ball onto one of these dots of liquid clay, and flatten it into a disk.

15. Swipe a thin layer of liquid clay over the disk. Center a flat backed crystal stone over the disk and sink it in. Repeat this step at the base of each sunray. When all the stones are applied and you like the shape of your sun mirror frame, bake the whole mirror in the pizza pan for 45 minutes at 275 degrees (F). Allow the clay to cool completely after baking. Once cool, carefully check to see that all of the parts adhered during baking before removing the mirror from the pan.

    Tip: If any parts are loose, reconnect them with the industrial craft glue. Allow the glue to dry completely.

1 | 2

RESOURCES :

Liquid Polymer Clay: Fabulous New Techniques for Making Jewelry and Home Accents
By Anne Mitchell and Karen Mitchell
ISBN: 0873495632
May 2003
KP Books

Sculpey III, Liquid Sculpey, Premo, Sculpey Super Slicer, Acrylic Rods
Polyform Products
Website: www.sculpey.com

Sculpey III, Liquid Sculpey, Premo
Clay Factory of Escondido
Website: www.clayfactoryinc.com

Metallic Leaf
LA D'ORE, Inc.
Website: www.la-dore.com

Punches, Heat Guns
Marvy/Uchida
Website: www.uchida.com

Scissors, Cutting Tools, Decorative Scissors
Fiskars Brands, Inc.
Website: www.fiskarsbrands.com

Glitter
Sparkle N Sprinkle
Website; www.sparklensprinkle.com

GUESTS :

Karen Mitchell
Artist / Owner, AnKara Designs
Website: www.ankaradesigns.com