Fragrance Atomizer

A GREAT ITEM!

 

Key Chain Perfume atomizer.  This 24K gold plated key chain was hand crafted with purple mica clay (a little shimmer) and a textured pattern.  The vial is removable so your favorite fragrance can be added with the plunger (included).  The vial is made of glass so it can be cleaned with alcohol if you want to change fragrances.  The cap screws onto the top of the atomizer and a rubber o-ring seal is included at both ends of the atomizer to guard against leakage.

The sturdy split ring can be removed from the cap and used as a purse or pocket accessory rather than a key ring.

Magnifier Paperweight

This is a nice item...great gift for a retiree, executive, congratulations, graduate, Father's Day, etc.  It's a desktop paperweight magnifying glass. Overall size is 2-1/2", about 3/4" thick with a 2" magnifier with 2.5x magnification. It weighs approx. 3.2 ounces, so it has a little heft, but isn't overly heavy.  

The clay was hand-crafted using multiple techniques.  Gold powder (fine powder applied to a wet paint brush) was hand painted onto the outer border and copper coloring (a paste-like product) was added to the inner rope detailed border. These applications are applied to the raw clay prior to curing.  Swarovski crystals were placed in the center and at three points on the border.  The inner portion in blue and white clay was done with layering clay, creating a texture and slicing off the raised portions then applying the trimmings to white clay.  The clay portion is clear coated and heat set.  

Resembles water and a porthole for a nautical theme.  This item lends to many different designs and creations!  Very easy to make and is a unique piece.  It is recommended that the clay "medallion" be created, cured and glued to the magnifier to avoid placing the entire item in the direct heat as the bottom is covered with felt and the heat may dry out the adhesive that bonds it to the metal. Also, the glass in the magnifier would get pretty hot!

Dicey Seasoning

Small Salt & Pepper Shakers are good for people who love games or have game night!  They are made like dice - black for pepper, white for salt.  These were inexpensive and came in a box of 12.  I keep the small shakers in different areas of the kitchen - table, counter, by the stove...so I used an extra set I had for clay.

Due to their size, they are a little difficult to cover as there is little area to hold while you cover. I recommend using a firmer clay.  The softer clay holds fingerprints and as you have to hold it where it's already covered at times, keeping the fingerprints out will drive you nutty!  A larger set may have been a better idea for covering, but the square shape lent to dice...so I took my 'chances!'  :-)

They are glass, so they are safe to put the salt and pepper in. I would, however, probably not recommend the dishwasher -- just wiping with a cloth and some mild soap, then rinse and dry to clean.

NEW!

New "Jeannie" Bottle!

This project took many hours as it had to be cured periodically as I went.  Applying the top coat when it was finished was time consuming also as the top coat only needed to be applied to the clay, not the glass.  I'd say I put 15 hours into this project easily.  

I applied glass mosaic pieces after the clay was cured for a jeweled touch. 

I think I like it...I may do another!    

Let me know what you think...

Polymer Clay 101 (cont.)

This is an example of a glass jar covered in clay.  The wooden lid has a rubber ring for a tight fit.  The decorative "button" on the lid was cured then glued in place.  The lid could have been covered as the rubber ring can be removed.  Many glass jars with glass lids (canister type jars, etc.) have the harder plastic attached to the lid piece to make the jar airtight.  These can often be removed as well if you want to cover the glass lid. Be sure you are able to remove the plastic ring and replace it prior to covering with clay!

I especially like covering glass jars, bottles, vases, etc. as the clay clings nicely to the glass (as stated before), as portions of the glass can be left uncovered for interest (especially if the glass is colored rather than clear), stained glass paints can be incorporated onto the piece nicely, and the colors of the clay can be seen through the glass from the inside.  Also, a glass jar can be used to store wrapped candies and such after the inside has been cleaned as opposed to a clay-only container. Although I don't recommend any container with clay applied be used in direct contact with food.  I would use a decorative bowl to hold fruit or something as long as the inside of the bowl was not covered with clay -- only the outside.

One thing I have not tested, however...if any item covered in clay would hold up in the dishwasher.  If anyone reading has tested this, I would love to know the results!

More to come...

Featured Item - So new it's not yet listed for sale!

This is a new item.  This is a glass bottle that looks like a light bulb!  A novelty piece or a useful piece as well as the top has a hole in it.  It could be used for aftershave or massage oils, etc. (I wouldn't recommend it for edible items or any type of food product -- cooking oil, etc.)
I simply made sheets of different colored clay and applied it to the bottle.  I textured the clay and added "veining."  Then I hand-painted the gold and silver metal powder into the crevices in the texture design.
It is sometimes hard to come up with ideas that would make good gifts for men...this may be one!

We are working on making this piece an oil burning candle.  I have yet to find the right wick for the size of the hole!  BUT I'll let you know if we find a way!  This would be a great patio piece as an oil candle!

More featured items to come!
Feedback on ideas, colors, etc. are welcome!!!

Polymer Clay 101 (cont.)

This is an example of a glass candle base/holder covered in clay (using clay canes). The spaces between have been filled in with stain glass paints.  The paint is translucent like colored glass and the canes serve the purpose of the "leading."  The clay and the paint are on the bottom of the glass candle holder, the top of the holder is simply glass.