Project designed by Barbara McGuire. Materials: one block of Fimo Soft polymer clay - white #0
Creative Claystamps " - Koi, Scallop and Nautilus - Any rubber stamp will work but may create a different type of relief
cardstock paper work surface, baking surface and template
pasta machine
corn starch
soft brush to apply cornstarch
brush to apply acrylic paint
pencil, ruler, scissors, paper towels
metal rod or knitting needle
Gold Artists acrylic paint - Iridescent Gold
oven
400- and 600-grit paper
elastic cording
spacer beads
craft glue
Steps: - Condition the clay by kneading it in your hands until soft and pliable. You may also condition the clay by running thinly-sliced slabs through the pasta machine starting on setting #1 and decreasing the setting to #5. Fold and repeat seven passes through the machine.
- Make a flat sheet of clay approximately 1/8" thick measuring 8" x 2". Use the brayer to flatten the sheet evenly or stack two layers of #1 pasta machine setting sheets. Place this on a piece of cardstock paper.
- Coat the clay with a film of cornstarch using the soft brush.
- Press the "molded" side of the clay stamp into the strip, pushing with enough force to impress the design. Alternate the stamps and their positioning as you fill up the entire sheet with relief.
- Trim the strip to *" x 1-1/4" using a sharp blade. Cut the strip vertically into sections, cutting through the relief designs where desired. Vary the size of the sections between 3/8" to 1" width.
- Turn all the pieces over with the relief side down. Place two metal rods evenly spaced across the back of the sections.
- Roll another strip of clay about 1/16" thick. This clay will lie over the individual sections and should be trimmed to allow coverage over the rods and should start and stop just short of the edge of the section. Note: The backing is placed to hold the elastic cords and accommodate the curve of the bracelet.
- Bake the sections with the rods intact according to the manufacturer's directions. Use the cardstock as a baking surface if desired. Fimo clay cures at oven temperatures of 265-degrees in 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool.
- If desired, keep the sections on the rods to ease in handling the pieces, Paint the top surface of the molded sections with gold paint. Be sure to brush the paint into the crevices. Let dry.
- Sand the sections with wet, 400-grit sandpaper to remove the paint from the raised surfaces. Use a paper towel to wipe the sections clean. Sand the bracelet with wet, 600-grit sandpaper to produce a velvety finish.
- Remove the sections from the rods. Carefully trim the baked clay from one of the backs of the sections about 1/4" from the edge using a sharp blade. This will hide the knots. Begin to string the bracelet at this section with elastic cord and spacer beads. Adjust the circumference of the bracelet by adding additional spacer beads or sections. Tie knots to join the cords. Secure the knot with glue.
RESOURCES :
Claystamps duo-relief rubber stamps for use with clay
Art-Forward
Website: www.barbaramcguire.com
Website: store.barbaramcguire.com
Fimo polymer clay - AMACO
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Website: www.amaco.com
Foundations in Polymer Clay Design
by Barbara E. McGuire (ISBN: 087341800X)
Click here to order this title.
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
GUESTS :
Barbara McGuire
Art-Forward
Website: www.barbaramcguire.com
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