Dragonfly Clay Embelishments

Materials:

polymer clay
liquid polymer clay (Fimo decorating gel)
Jacquard Pinata pigment ink in a bottle
22-gauge Fun wire
glitter or anything you want to add into the wings
toothpicks
pliers
craft knife
hammer
ceramic tile

1. To create the wings: Cut a 4-inch length of wire. Bend in half and pinch with pliers. Fold the ends around to meet the center creating a heart shape. Repeat for other wing. Hammer shape flat (figure A).

2. Apply liquid polymer to inside of each wing. Add a drop of ink to toothpick. Place the toothpick near the inside of each wing and begin swirling the ink in the liquid polymer (figure B). Repeat with remaining the sections. Add glitter if desired.

3. Shape a ball of clay and press flat. Press the ends to each side of ball.

4. Bake according to manufacturer's directions.

5. Some of the liquid polymer will leak out beyond the wire. Trim with scissors (figure C). Remove wing set from clay center.

6. Swirl clay colors together to marble. Shape a 1/2-inch ball into an oval for center of body. Create balls in successively smaller sizes to add to bottom of body (figure D).

7. Press a piece of floral wire into body. Trim to 1/4 inch. Gently flatten a 1/2-inch ball. Press over floral wire for head. Poke in eye holes.

8. Coil two pieces of wire and press into top of head for antennae.

9. Press ends of wings into body sides (figure E). Re-bake at 265 F degrees for 1 hour.

10. You can secure with glue any areas that may become loose.

Tip: Use similar techniques to make flowers.