DIY Network

Designer Baby Headbands with Polymer Clay Ladybugs by Karen Mitchell Create a ladybug headband for your baby. From "Jewelry Making" episode DJMK-602

Guest Karen Mitchell demonstrates how to make fashionable headbands using polymer clay.

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Materials:

2 ounce bottle of translucent liquid sculpey
1/2 ounce Premo medium bright red polymer clay
1/2 ounce Premo black polymer clay
22" cherry print piece of 5/8" wide ribbon
22" red satin piece of 5/8" wide ribbon
3/8"x1/2" piece of white sew-on hook-and-loop system
red polyester sewing thread
15" piece of 3/8" wide white elastic
6 clear crystal 3mm rhinestones
fabric glue
polymer clay varnish
1/2" brush
3/4"x1" oval cutter
safety pin
sewing machine
scissors
flat baking tray
toaster oven or regular oven
oven thermometer
oven mitts
pasta machine

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

1. Put the ribbon together right side out. Beginning 1/2 inch from the end, sew the ribbons together 1/16 inch from the edge--all the way to the end (figure A). Make sure to backstitch on both ends.

2. Stitch the other side of the ribbons together 1/16 inch from the edge—starting 1/2 inch from the end. This will form a casing for the elastic.

3. Measure the baby's head, and then subtract 3/4 inches from this measurement. Cut elastic to this length.

4. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic (figure B), and then pull it all the way through the ribbon casing. Make sure to not allow the other end of the elastic to slip into the casing.

5. Pull the 1/2 inch unstitched end of the ribbon casing over the end of the casing.

6. Fold under 1/8 inch of the raw ribbon edges, and then stitch the casing shut.

7. Stitch the hook portion of the hook-and-loop system over the casing seam on the cherry print side of the headband (figure C).

Figure D

Ladybug

1. Condition red and black clay by running each one through a pasta machine.

2. Roll each color into a 5/64 inch thick sheet.

3. Cut two ovals from the black clay and one from the red clay (figure D).

4. Cut 1/4 inch off the top of the red oval, and off the top of one of the black ovals.

5. Lay the small cutoff portion of the black oval over the second black oval--aligning it with one end of the oval.

6. Cut the red oval in half lengthwise.

7. Spread a thin coat of liquid polymer clay over the surface of the two red halves.

Figure E

8. Press three rhinestones into each red half—forming a symmetrical pattern (figure E).

9. Lay the two red pieces onto the black backing next to the small black piece. Leave a slight split between the red pieces to look like wings.

10. Press the red pieces and the small black piece in place, rounding the clay edges slightly.

11. Bake for 20 minutes at 275 degrees. Allow time for cooling.

12. Finish the ladybug with polymer clay varnish, and then allow it to dry.

13. Place the loop piece of the hook-and-loop system onto the hook piece.

Figure F

14. Hold the ladybug over the hook-and-look system at the desired angle, and then mark the position of the hook-and-loop system.

15. Glue the loop piece of the hook-and-loop system onto the back of the ladybug (figure F) to complete the headband.

Note: Other clay decorations can be added to match the headband, and the ladybug decoration can be removed for washing.

RESOURCES :

General Craft Supplies
Michaels
Website: www.michaels.com

Polyform Products
Manufacturers of Sculpey III, Translucent Liquid Sculpey and Premo
Website: www.sculpy.com

The Adhesives Products, Inc.
Website: www.crafterspick.com

C.M. Offray & Son, Inc.
Website: www.offray.com

Clay Factory of Escondido
Suppliers of Sculpey III, Translucent Liquid Sculpey, Premo, Tissue Blades, Pearl Ex Mica Pigment Powders, Slicer, Acrylic Rods
Website: www.clayfactory.com

Liquid Polymer Clay: Fabulous New Techniques for Making Jewelry and Home Accents
Krause (2003)
Author: Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

GUESTS :

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