Materials
glass votive candle cups
polymer clay Designer Squares
work mat (or any smooth surface)
NuBlade clay blade
Marxit ruler
400 / 600-grit sandpaper
brayer
talcum powder
small knife
pasta machine
FIMO gloss or matte lacquer
Steps - Warm the Designer Squares in your hands for five minutes or more to ensure the cane is softened.
- Using the NuBlade, make three slices from the cane, each approximately 1/4 inch thick (figure A).
- Again, warm each slice between your fingers to ensure that it is soft.
- Begin pressing the slice between your fingers to even out the cut.
- Roll several times with the brayer, working in both directions on the slice. Turn the slice over and repeat.
- Insert the slice horizontally into the pasta machine with size set at #5. This increases the size in one direction.
- Reset the pasta machine to size #4 and insert the slice vertically. This will increase the size of the other direction (figure B).
- Reset the pasta machine to size #3 and once more insert the slice vertically. This should produce an ideal slice for the small votive cup.
- Place the first slice on the votive cup, trimming the sides straight (figure C). Smooth out the surface carefully with your fingers to remove any air bubbles.
- Apply the second and third slices to cover the entire votive. Match the side seams closely while making sure not to overlap them.
- Trim the excess from the top and bottom.
- Using your hands and the brayer, smooth out rough spots and seams. If an air bubble occurs, slice into it to remove. Smooth again.
- Bake on a cookie sheet in oven at 265 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- Using 400-grit sandpaper, wet and sand the surface under running water, or in a bowl of water. Wet and sand again using 600-grit sandpaper.
- On darker colors of clay, this may produce a cloudy effect. If so, re-bake the piece for about 10 minutes and it will disappear.
- The final step is to coat the piece with gloss or matte lacquer. However, this is optional, depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.
RESOURCES :
polymer clay Designer Squares, free catalog, FIMO clay and tools
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Website: www.amaco.com
The Prairie Craft Company
Prairie Craft Company / Kato Polyclay
Florissant, CO
Toll-free Phone: 800-779-0615
Website: www.prairiecraft.com
Website: www.KatoPolyclay.com
GUESTS :
Karen Franklin
Demonstrator, American Art Clay Co., Inc. (AMACO)
4717 West 16th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Toll Free Phone: 800-374-1600
Website: www.amaco.com
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