Mixed Media Dragonfly Clock

Step 2

Steps:

1. Sketch out the design for the dragonfly clock on paper.

2. Make one of each of the following cardboard templates based on the design:

• 7" x 7" square
  
• 6" x 6" square
  
• 4" x 4" square
  
• 2 large and 2 small dragonfly wings

Steps 3-6

3. Trace around the cardboard squares onto MDF and cut out the three squares with a scroll saw. Wear safety glasses when using the saw.

4. Sand the edges of the squares until smooth.

5. Stack the three squares on top of each other with the smallest on top to make the clock base. Glue the squares together using wood glue. Clamp everything together and allow the glue to dry.

6. Drill a hole into the middle of each square making sure that the clock movement fits into the drilled hole.

Step 7

7. Make the polymer clay dragonfly face and body. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Condition a small piece of white polymer clay by kneading it with your fingers. Spray the clay face mold with cooking spray. Roll the clay into a ball and press it into the face mold.

8. Pop the clay face out of the mold and set it aside on a baking sheet.

Step 10

9. Form the body of the dragonfly by rolling seven small balls of clay, graduated in size. Press them together in a line to form the dragonfly body.

10. Run a stylus tool along the back of the clay balls to hold them together. Cover the clay pieces with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool.

Steps 11-13

11. While the clay is baking, paint the MDF squares (clock base) with one coat of gesso primer. Let dry.

12. Using the cardboard wing templates, trace the shapes onto metal tooling foil and cut out two sets of large and small wings with scissors.

13. Place the metal wings on a foam mouse pad and add texture and shape to the wings with metal foil tools.

Steps 14-15

14. Cut a 4-inch piece of 20-gauge wire. Form the wire into antennae using jewelry pliers. Bend the wire in half and curl the ends. Set aside.

15. When the primer is completely dry, paint a design onto the base of the clock using acrylic paints. Let dry. Using a small paintbrush, add gold leafing powder around the edges of each wood square of the base where the squares join each other.

Step 17

16. Before painting the dragonfly face and body, turn the face over to reveal the back and carve out a small area for the antennae using a craft knife. Paint the dragonfly face and body with three coats of black metallic paint. Let dry.

17. Paint half the body and half the face with purple metallic paint over the black paint. Paint the other half of the body and face with blue metallic paint over the black paint. Let dry.

Steps 18-19

18. Paint a few coats of varnish onto the clock base. Dry between coats.

19. Nail the metal wings onto the clock base when the paint and varnish are completely dry.

Steps 20-21

20. Glue the face, antennae and body of the dragonfly to the clock base with silicone glue. Also glue the glass half-beads in the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions onto the clock. Allow a few minutes to dry.

21. Assemble the clock movement to the base and add decorative clock hands and a battery to your mixed media dragonfly clock.

Regina Lord is a registered nurse, mother of two and loves arts and crafts of all kinds. She was raised in an artistic family and says that growing up without a lot of money forced her to be creative and hand make many things. These days she's a stay-at-home mom but her creativity is flowing stronger than ever!

Website: www.creativekismet.com