DIY Network

Polymer Clay MP3 Player Holder Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to create fun polymer clay MP3 player holder. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-232

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Creating a Two-Layer Tiger Stripe for the MP3 I-Pod Holder

Guest Randy Townsend demonstrates how to mix the different clay elements and apply them to get the desired layering effect to create the tiger stripes for the MP3 player holder.

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	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I
	Now you're ready for walks around town or a good workout at the gym — with your MP3 player secured snugly in its new attractive holder!

1. Condition the two blocks of black clay, then divide in half and roll the clay into two sheets using the second thickest setting on the pasta machine. Using the Sculpey Super Slicer, cut each sheet into 4-1/4" x 5-3/4" rectangles. Place the sheets on wax paper.

2. Condition and mix together the blocks of cadmium red and gold clay to make metallic orange. Divide in half and roll the clay into two sheets using the sixth thickest setting on the pasta machine. Cut each sheet into 4-1/4" by 5-3/4" rectangles (figure D) and lay one sheet of orange over each one of the black sheets of clay.

3. Sprinkle cornstarch on the textured side of the flexible rubber stamp sheet and spread it around the surface, removing the excess. Place the flexible rubber stamp sheet with the tiger stripe pattern facing down onto the metallic orange side of the first of the orange/black layered sheets. Peel the rubber stamp away and set the sheet aside pattern side up. Repeat the same steps for the second orange/black sheet.

4. Cut a straight edge along the bottom of each textured sheet. Cut a perpendicular straight edge along the right side of each textured sheet. Using the black box prepared in project number one as a guide, trim the top of each sheet so that it is flush with the box.

5. Flip one of the textured sheets over (texture side down) and place it on wax paper. Place the wide part of the black box, display hole up, on the textured sheet aligning the corner of the box with the corner of the sheet (figure E). Wrap the sheet around the back and side of the box, being careful not to smudge the texture on the other side. Set sheet aside. Repeat the same steps on the second textured sheet by turning the box over so the front and opposite side are cut. Set the sheet aside.

6. Cut two 1" pieces of black 20-gauge craft wire and twist each into a 1/8" loop, with a split
   tail, using round-nose pliers. The ends should be separated, flat and in alignment with the loop.

7. Apply Translucent Liquid Sculpey to the back and one side of the box. Align the edge of the box to the edge of one of the textured sheets that you trimmed earlier (texture side down), then wrap the first textured sheet around the back and side of the box. Be careful not to distort the texture of the unbaked sheet. Separating the seam at the top side of the box slightly, insert one of the wire loops in between the baked black clay layer and the unbaked textured metallic orange clay layer (figure F). Apply a little pressure to attach the textured sheet to the box with the loop in between. Center the loop and apply a drop of Translucent Liquid Sculpey to the base of the loop so that it will be securely cemented in after baking.

8. Lay the box on its front and bake at 275 degrees for 20 minutes in the toaster oven. Let cool.

9. Apply Translucent Liquid Sculpey to the front and other side of the box. Align the edge of the second sheet to the baked edge on the box and wrap it across the front and around the side of the box. Trim the seams at a 45-degree angle to create a clean mitered edge between pieces, and then carefully join the seams between the baked and unbaked edges of the texture sheets on the box (figure G). Be careful not to distort the texture of the unbaked sheet. Separate the seam on the unbaked top side of the box slightly, and then insert the other wire loop in between the baked black clay layer and the unbaked textured metallic orange clay layer. Apply a little pressure to attach the textured sheet to the box with the loop in between. Center the loop and apply a drop of Translucent Liquid Sculpey to the base of the loop so that it will be securely cemented in after baking.

10. Place the box on its back and use a craft knife to cut an opening in the center of the front panel to form the display hole. Trim the unbaked clay to the inside edges of the baked clay, rounding them inward to form a clean opening.

11. Lay the box on its back and bake at 275 degrees for 20 minutes in the toaster oven. Let cool.

12. Cut a base piece 1"x 3" from the excess clay of one of the texture sheets. Stand the baked box on end and trim the base piece to size. Miter all four inner edges of the base piece at 45 degrees. Apply Translucent Liquid Sculpey to the base of the box, and then fit the base piece of textured clay on the bottom of the box. Smooth the seams.

13. Using scrap textured clay roll two 1/4" balls and then pierce each with a bamboo wooden skewer to form beads (figure H).

14. Lay the box on its back and along with the beads bake at 275 degrees for 20 minutes in the toaster oven. Let cool.

15. Using 200-grit sandpaper, wet sand all the textured surfaces of the box to expose the black striping underneath. Repeat using 400-grit sandpaper.

    Note: Wrapping the sand paper around a small wood block to sand the surfaces will speed the process (figure I).

16. Clean then varnish all box textured surfaces and beads with polymer clay varnish. Let dry.

17. String the beads onto the cord. Then thread the cord through each of the box loops, crossing the cord over the top opening so that it will act as a restraint for the I-pod. Knot the ends of the cord. Use the quick-drying cyanoacrelate glue to attach a ring of black cord around the top edge of the I-pod holder to give the clay edges a finished look. The I-Pod holder is now ready to wear.

Note: To protect your I-Pod further you can line the inside with decorative felt.

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RESOURCES :

Aluminum Leaf
La D'ore, Inc.
E-mail: info@LA-DORE.com

Sculpey III, Liquid Sculpey, Premo, Sculpey Ultralight, Sculpey Super
Polyform Products
Website: www.sculpey.com

Slicer, Acrylic Rods
Clay Factory of Escondido
Website: www.clayfactoryinc.com

GUESTS :

Randy Townsend
Liakura Studios
Pasadena, CA
Phone: 626-296-1787
E-mail: randy@liakura.com