Leaf Votive

Materials:

two, two-ounce blocks Sculpey Premo translucent polymer clay
small piece Sculpey III polymer clay in mint
three tablespoons translucent liquid Sculpey polymer clay
two small aluminum or glass dishes to mix liquid Sculpey
PearlEx mica pigment powder in Aztec gold, duo green-yellow
two small spoons
dark green oil paints
wooden skewers
pasta maker
brayer
tissue blade
exact craft knife
wax paper
Fimo gloss varnish
brush
brush cleaner
fresh leaves, varied sizes - preferably stiff with good definition on veins, and not too dry
scissors
cornstarch - optional
2-1/2-inch tall, bowl-shaped glass votive

Steps:

2. Trim stems from several leaves. Place the leaves all over the sheet of clay, allowing 1/4 inch between the leaves. Press the leaves on the clay with fingers. Use a brayer to roll leaves into the clay, making sure not to press too hard and break through the clay sheet (it may help to hold leaves in place with fingers while rolling wth brayer to make the impression). Trim around the leaves, close to their outer edges (figure A). Remove the excess clay (figure B). Lift the clay leaves (one at a time) off of the wax paper, peel the real leaves off and discard.

3. Turn the clay leaves over to the non-textured sides and use fingers to apply a thin layer of translucent liquid Sculpey to each leaf. Place the leaves on the side of the votive (figure C) with the liquid Sculpey coating toward the glass. Starting at the center of each leaf, press the clay gently onto the glass to remove air bubbles (do not press so hard as to destroy the leaf impression). Repeat this application with other leaves. Allow some parts of the glass to remain uncovered. When pleased with the leaf arrangement, bake the votive according to manufacturer's directions for the clay. Let cool.

4. Divide the translucent liquid Sculpey equally between the two dishes. In one dish, using a wooden skewer, add a very small dab of dark green oil paint. Mix thoroughly into the liquid clay. The color can be adjusted by adding small amounts of the paint. Do this slowly, as not much paint is required to tint the liquid Sculpey. Spoon a small amount of Pearl-Ex powder in duo green-yellow to the green tinted liquid clay, to add sparkle. In the second dish, spoon Pearl-Ex pigment in Aztec gold in a dollop the size of a pea to the remaining translucent liquid Sculpey. Stir thoroughly with skewer. The liquid should now be gold in color. Be careful not to add too much powder.

5. Using the dark green liquid clay, spread an even coat with a finger over each leaf (figure D), but not on the exposed glass. If it gets on the glass, wipe off with a paper towel. Set it aside for a couple of minutes to allow the liquid clay to settle in the texture of the leaf. First using your finger, and then a paper towel, wipe off excess clay from surface of the leaves, leaving dark clay in the veins for contrast.

6. Spread gold liquid clay thinly onto the exposed glass areas and bottom of the votive (figure E). It is alright if it covers the outer edges of the leaves. Carefully wipe away drips and excess liquid clay. Bake the votive immediately, turning it upside down to allow the clay on bottom to remain smooth. Let cool.

7.Trim the clay at the upper lip with an exacto knife (some drips may have left an uneven top edge during baking). Be careful not to peel off the thin sheet of clay on the glass. Lacquer the entire votive with Fimo gloss varnish and brush. Allow to dry. Add a small candle.