Materials:
assorted colors of polymer clay
translucent liquid polymer clay
brayer or pasta maker
craft knife or slicing (tissue) blade
wax paper
scissors
paper towels
paint brushes
polymer clay lacquer
brush cleaner
rubber stamps
additional materials - cookie cutters, metallic gold leaf, mica powders, acrylic paint, fine-grade sandpaper, assorted frames, boxes, candle holders, votive candle holders, drawer pulls, tassels, jewelry backings or any other items that will bake without burning.
Steps:
- Select a base for the mosaic from the additional materials selection.
- Roll out a variety of thin sheets of clay through a pasta maker. If you wish, embellish the sheets with texture from mica powders, a metallic leaf, acrylic paint or another item.
- Slice each sheet into tile shapes using a slicing (tissue) blade or craft knife. Start with simple shapes like a square, rectangle and/or triangle. (The size of the tiles depends on the item you will be covering.)
- Bake and cool all sheets according to package directions.
- Prepare the surface of the item to be covered by coating it with an even layer of liquid translucent polymer clay. The liquid can be tinted with mica powders, clay or paint if desired.
- Place tiles on the surface of the item, leaving very little space between tiles. Trim the tiles with scissors to fit the pattern.
- When surface is completely covered, bake according to manufacturer's directions and let cool completely.
- Using either your finger or a paintbrush, fill the gaps between the tiles with more liquid clay. Wipe excess liquid clay from the surface with your fingers, followed by a paper towel. Make sure to expose the tile surfaces clearly.
- Bake the item again and let cool.
- Finish the project with a coat of polymer clay lacquer applied with a brush. Let dry.
Three-Dimensional Clay AppliquesTry this technique to create a three-dimensional look by adding clay appliques to the surface of a finished mosaic.
Steps:
- Spread an even layer of liquid polymer clay onto a small piece of waxed paper.
- Lay baked tiles or unbaked clay shapes onto the waxed paper. Adjust the applique shape until satisfied with the design.
- Bake the clay applique on the waxed paper and let cool.
- Peel the design off of the waxed paper and trim excess clay off the edges with scissors. The pieces should hold together because of the thin layer of baked liquid clay.
- Apply the applique to the baked mosaic item using a layer of liquid clay. Bake and cool.
- Apply the design before adding the final lacquer coat.
Resources rubber stamps - Stamp Happy
Stamp Happy Rubber Stamps
Modesto, CA
Phone: 209-544-8621
cutters
Kemper Enterprises Inc.
Website:
www.kempertools.com
mixed media polymer clay handcrafted jewelry and accessories
AnKara Designs
Website:
www.ankaradesigns.com
slicing blades, powdered pigments - Clay Factory
The Clay Factory of Escondido
Website:
www.clayfactoryinc.com
Granitex and Premo Sculpey polymer clay
It's available at local craft and hobby stores.
Polyform Products Inc.
Products available at craft and hobby stores.
Website:
www.sculpey.com
Guests Karen Mitchell
Artist / Owner, AnKara Designs
Website:
www.ankaradesigns.com
Also in this Episode
)