How to Make Polymer Clay Terra Cotta Tiles

2. Lay a photocopied transfer pattern ink side down on the center of the clay sheet. Burnish the photocopy onto the sheet of clay.

Brush rubbing alcohol over the back side of the photocopy to saturate the paper. Burnish once again. Brush on a second coat of alcohol. While still saturated, carefully peel the paper off of the clay surface.

3. Using carving tools or an X-Acto knife, carve out the areas around the transferred pattern. Trim around the pattern with a tissue blade to create a clean finished edge. Bake the carved tile according to the manufacturer's directions for clay.

4. With the remaining conditioned clay, shape a sheet larger and thicker than the baked tile. Lay the unbaked sheet on a flat surface covered with wax paper to prevent sticking. Brush the surface of this sheet and the surface of the baked tile with a light dusting of corn starch. Press the carved side of the baked tile firmly into the unbaked sheet, creating a deep impression of the baked tile. Gently peel the baked clay out from the edges of the unbaked pattern, leaving about a 1/8-inch border around the tile impression. Bake this sheet according to the manufacturer's directions for the clay.

5. Roll terra cotta clay into a slab slightly thicker than 1/4 inch and wider than the mold in a strip long enough to make several tiles. Brush the entire surface of the sheet with cornstarch. Cut pieces of the sheet slightly larger than the mold. Brush the inside of the mold with cornstarch. Laying the mold on a flat surface, press an unbaked sheet (dusted side down) firmly into the mold. Peel the unbaked sheet out of the mold and trim the edges to make a tile shape. Repeat with the other sheets, brushing with cornstarch for every impression.

6. Place an unbaked tile on the surface of the flower pot to check the curve of the tile. Gently press the edges of the tile to confirm to the curve of the pot. To keep this shape while baking, form a smooth curved surface with many layers of aluminum foil on the baking surface and bake the tile on this form.

7. In small dishes, divide equal amounts of white liquid Sculpey. Using a small dab of paint on the tip of a wooden skewer, tint one dish of clay with blue-green paint and one with green paint. Mix both thoroughly. Spread a coat of the blue liquid clay into the molded impressions in the tiles. Wipe off the excess with a paper towel.

8. Spread a coat of green liquid clay over the entire surface of each tile, still allowing a good portion of the terra cotta clay to show through. Bake the tiles and let cool.

9. Spread liquid Sculpey onto the back of a tile.

Place it onto the side of the flower pot and bake. Let cool. Continue placing the remaining tiles onto the side of the pot and bake.