Slimline Textured Pen

This is a "fun" slimline pen.  Copper finish with brown clay and bits of copper and turquoise clay to give it a "speckled" look.  It is also textured in a pattern that you might find in tooled leather.  Sometimes texturing the pens is not so easy.  Once the clay is on the pen component at the correct thickness, putting the texture in the clay can push the clay "out of round."  This can be frustrating since you can't smooth the clay or roll the clay back into shape without losing the texture.  It can become a viscous cycle!  If you have a good rubber stamp with deep and thin raised areas and is also large enough (longer than the pen in size) it is much easier.  I've found that using something that fits inside the tube that is longer than the tube helps to roll the clay over the stamp at a more even pressure while keeping my fingers off the clay and pressing out the impression that was just created. I hold the "dowel" at the ends while I roll, but whatever you use as a "dowel" has to fit well in the tube or there will be too much "play" as you roll it.  Rolling the stamp over the clay doesn't work as you will smash the clay and you will be starting over!  Also, if you don't already have a baking rack -- usually used for curing beads -- it is VERY useful when curing the pen components.  Flat sides are undesirable!  However if you do not have one, just be sure to use parchment paper between your clay and the tray/pan that you use in the oven.  Slight imperfections in the roundness of the clay can be overcome when sanding, but it's best to avoid that altogether from the beginning.