Well, my superior vegan immune system didn’t completely protect me from the stomach bug the rest of the family got but at least I’m making a swift recovery! My friend, and fabulous photographer Tracy, tagged me yesterday (And since I didn’t get a chance to finish the craft I was going to share today due to an ill household) I figured today would be a good day to play along. So, to play tou go into the folder on your computer where you store your photos, go to the 6th folder and pick the 6th photo in there, here’s mine:
That is several sheets of polymer clay from a project I did a couple years ago. I was commissioned to make polymer clay leaves to go on a wedding cake. OK for everyone who is having heart palpation’s because I was using polymer clay near food calm down. The clay is non toxic AFTER cured. That’s why they say to use baking sheets that are clay dedicated on raw clay but after it is cured it should be as safe as any other plastic…bad point huh.
Since I have no new craft today I thought I woulds share the leave with you. First condition the clay (knead it in your hands or in a pasta machine until soft) then roll it out 1/8" thick. Press a real leaf into the clay and cut out with an x-axto knife. Pinch around the edges with the leaf still attached to make it look like a delicate thin leaf and trim again with the knife. Remove the leaf and bake at 275 for about 10 minutes *Correction, these are very thin and will burn easily so bake them for about half the time the package says 8-10 minutes for Sculpey3, or 15 minutes for Premo at a slightly lower temperture on a bed of cornstarch (see comments) with a dusting of cornstarch on top.
So, want to play along? Post the 6th picture from the 6th folder on your blog and leave me a link so we can check it out!. To see Tracy’s beautiful photo click here.
Have fun and happy crafting!
That’s so funny! Whenever I get sick (knock on wood, it’s been over a year now) I think, “I’m not supposed to get sick, I’m VEGETARIAN!” Lol, it always makes me mad. =) I hope you feel better soon!
LikeLike
Those leaves are beautiful!
LikeLike
Love your leaves. I bet they looked great on the cake! I’ve never really tried any projects with clay. Hmmm…
LikeLike
Lindsay, I have an award for you on my blog. Hope you like it. -luiza
LikeLike
Your leaves are gorgeous Lindsay! Thanks for the technique…I’ll have to try it.
Hope you feel better soon!
LikeLike
how fun that you played along! I love your photo and the leaves are beautiful!
🙂
LikeLike
Those are really neat looking leaves!!! 😛 Hope you are back up to par soon!
LikeLike
If you find your polymer clay leaves are burning, it is not because they are thin and the time for baking should be cut. It is because the temperature is too high. I actually bake my Premo and Sculpey pieces for 1 hour or more without burning no matter how thin they are. If you cut the time in half, you risk the polymers not bonding properly and your leaves breaking too easily.
Use an oven thermometer because most home and toaster ovens are incorrect. Keep the temp between 265 F and 275 F. I would also bake pieces like this on a bed of cornstarch and sprinkle a layer of cornstarch on top to prevent any discoloration from the air in a dirty oven.
Your leaves are absolutely gorgeous btw! I hope you don’t mind if I pass on these tips. They should be helpful when you make another batch.
LikeLike
Hee! Must be a “leaf” day. Just finished a tutorial on making your own veiners. 🙂
Karin
LikeLike