These pretty hearts are so simple to make,
you'll want to give one to everyone you love!
You can make them into jewelry by gluing on a pin back or earring backs
after baking, or use white glue (like SOBO) to stick them in place onto
gorgeous handmade Valentine's Cards. Try decorating a picture frame or
box with these as well!
They are made by rolling clay flat with a pasta roller or brayer, and
using rubber stamps or other elements--like real lace, or textured place
mats, even old jewelry or the design on the ends of silverware! These elements
are used to press in texture.
You can then use small cutters found in craft or cooking stores and
catalogues, or purchased through my
Amazon store. They have sets of shape cutters in several sizes. Try
using larger ones for pins, and smaller ones for earrings. Or, group several
together!
Cut the clay as you would cookies, and then gently smooth any rough
edges with your finger. Highlight raised areas of the designs on raw clay
with Pearl-Ex powders. Or, mix powders or acrylic paints with Varathane to make a stain or faux-enamel that can be
painted onto a baked and cooled piece, and then quickly wiped off of the
raised areas, to leave the color or metallic in the recessed areas. (old
tshirts are very useful for this, but get the old tshirt wearer's permission
first!)
You can also use metallic inks made for rubber stamps, and stamp designs
onto the clay with less pressure for a smooth surface effect. This can
be done on raw or baked clay, but I prefer the results on raw clay.
Bake all clays according to directions. When gluing jewelry findings,
use a super glue such as Pic-Stic , E-6000 or other strong glue. (This part is for
the grown-ups to do, but children do very well at the decorating!)
After baking, use Varathane as a sealer.
This is particularly important if you are using powders. paints, or metallic
leaf.
