Numbers and leaves - Pottery Supplies – Big Ceramic … and leaves If you are looking for a...
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Numbers and leaves If you are looking for a creative home project to replace those days at the pool, here are some great projects to help outfit your home for autumn. Bring the outside in and get inspired by the leaves changing colors or start thinking about numbers and typography as the kids head back to school. Put some newspaper over the kitchen table, and lets get started! Materials: Air dry clay, wire tool, needle tool, rubber kidney tool, moist sponge, rolling pin, and watercolors. Collect leaves outside and create a numbers template (in a word processing program use the font of your choice to create your numbers template). Lay down newspaper on the surface where you are working. TIP: Keep your clay sealed in a plastic bag when you are not using it. This will keep it wet and plastic so that it is easy to use. 1. Wire off a slice of clay. Use the wire tool, pulling it towards you through the clay. 2. Roll a slab. With a rolling pin roll flatten the clay. A good trick is to roll the clay between two sticks that are the same size until clay is level with the sticks. This will create an even slab (or flat piece of clay). Aim for approximately a quarter inch thickness. 3. Cut out the numbers from your slab. First, use your template to outline the numbers with your needle tool. Then remove your template and continue to cut through the clay with your needle tool until the number is completely cut out of the clay. Smooth the edges with a moist sponge. 4. Roll a leaf into the slab. Lay the leaf on the clay and use your rolling pin to roll it in. To pick up more leaf detail, use the rubber kidney tool to press the leaf in further. Then peel away the leaf to reveal the beautiful texture. Cut away any extra clay and smooth the edges with a moist sponge. Highlight the leaf texture with watercolors. Use a wet brush to paint the leaf; the texture will help to guide the paint.
Transcript of Numbers and leaves - Pottery Supplies – Big Ceramic … and leaves If you are looking for a...
Numbers and leaves If you are looking for a creative home project to replace those days at the pool, here are some great projects to help outfit your home for autumn. Bring the outside in and get inspired by the leaves changing colors or start thinking about numbers and typography as the kids head back to school. Put some newspaper over the kitchen table, and lets get started! Materials: Air dry clay, wire tool, needle tool, rubber kidney tool, moist sponge, rolling pin, and watercolors. Collect leaves outside and create a numbers template (in a word processing program use the font of your choice to create your numbers template). Lay down newspaper on the surface where you are working. TIP: Keep your clay sealed in a plastic bag when you are not using it. This will keep it wet and plastic so that it is easy to use. 1. Wire off a slice of clay. Use the wire tool, pulling it towards you through the clay. 2. Roll a slab. With a rolling pin roll flatten the clay. A good trick is to roll the clay between two sticks that are the same size until clay is level with the sticks. This will create an even slab (or flat piece of clay). Aim for approximately a quarter inch thickness. 3. Cut out the numbers from your slab. First, use your template to outline the numbers with your needle tool. Then remove your template and continue to cut through the clay with your needle tool until the number is completely cut out of the clay. Smooth the edges with a moist sponge. 4. Roll a leaf into the slab. Lay the leaf on the clay and use your rolling pin to roll it in. To pick up more leaf detail, use the rubber kidney tool to press the leaf in further. Then peel away the leaf to reveal the beautiful texture. Cut away any extra clay and smooth the edges with a moist sponge. Highlight the leaf texture with watercolors. Use a wet brush to paint the leaf; the texture will help to guide the paint.
5. Hang and score to stand. Cut a hole in the number to hang it on the wall with a nail. For the leaf stand, create a small cube and score (scratch hatch marks with your needle tool) the side which will attach to the back of your leaf, as well as where it attaches. Add a little water in the scratch marks on both sides and then firmly press them together. 6. Give it a few days to dry. Double check the manufacturers instructions on the box, but most air dry clays just take a couple of days to completely dry. More ideas Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Print out letters to create names and words. Use acrylics or metallic stains on the numbers or leaves for a different finish.
