If you'd like to make an easy clay frame to display images from nature, crafter Whitney Ferre of the Creative Fitness Center shows how. Materials:
Lucite photo frame
Air-drying clay in terra-cotta color
Wood or particleboard
Canvas
Staple gun
Rolling pin
Needle tool
Spray sealer
White acrylic paint
Water
Small bowl
Paintbrush
Paper plate
Soft cloth
Glue gun and low-temperature hot glue
Optional: cardboard and oven
- Cover a piece of wood or particleboard with canvas, and staple the fabric to the back of the board. You'll use this surface to roll out the clay so it won't stick to the board or your countertop.
- Using the canvas-covered board and a rolling pin, roll out a piece of clay to a thickness of about 1/2" (figure A).
- Place the Lucite photo frame face down on top of the clay, and trace around the outer edges of the frame with a needle tool, cutting through the clay all the way to the canvas surface. Make sure the bottom of the frame is cut straight. If you wish to create a freeform design on the outer edge, cut waves and scrolls rather than following the square lines of the frame (figure B).
- Remove the photo frame. Trace a rectangular opening (to display the picture) in the center of the clay, using the needle tool, and cut through the clay. You can measure the opening, or draw one freehand (figure C). Remove the clay in the center of the picture frame and the excess beyond the edges of the frame (figure D).
- Use the needle tool to draw geometric shapes, leaf designs, etc., in the clay on the face of the frame. Do not press the needle tool all the way through the clay (figure E).
- Dip your finger in a bowl of water, and smooth the inner and outer edges of the clay frame with water.
- Let the clay dry overnight, or if you're in a hurry, place it on a piece of cardboard and dry it in a 250-degree oven for 45 minutes.
- Apply spray sealer to the clay frame. Let dry.
- Mix white acrylic paint with an equal amount of water on a paper plate. Paint the thinned "wash" over the entire front of the clay frame (figure F).
- Use a soft cloth to wipe off the paint wash. Remove as much or as little as you like (figure G).
- Apply full-strength white acrylic paint to selected portions of the design on the clay. Let the paint dry (figure H).
- Apply spray sealer to the clay frame. Let dry.
- Use low-temperature hot glue to mount the clay frame to the front of the Lucite frame (figure I).
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