How to Make This Cute Clay Angel

Here's a tutorial from Ben Franklin Crafts for a cute little angel made with Hearty Clay.   This would make a good beginners project.   http://createyourcrafts.com/Projects/projects/angel.htm

Glue a magnet to the back and you've got a useful and decorative item!  ....Glue a pin to back and you have jewelry!    ....Add a hanger and you have a tree ornament!    ....or ... Make it big and put a hole in the back to  hang on the wall!!   ;-)

More About Lumina Clay

Lumina® is an air-dry polymer/resin clay that does not require heat to cure.  It is translucent, waterproof and dries flexible.

We posted about Lumina last April, with a short review of the translucent air-dry clay by Camille Young. Yesterday I came across this extensive review of Lumina by Mixi at Kawaii Frenzy. Mixi provides lots of photos, including a demonstration of how the light shines through very thin pieces.

Lumina is also said to be waterproof.   Read the full review here: http://kawaiifrenzy.com/Blog/2010/08/lumina-clay-review/

On this page Mixi talks about experimenting with different products to color Lumina  http://kawaiifrenzy.com/Blog/2010/08/lumina-clay-coloring-tutorial/

See this page to follow Mixi's experiments using Lumina in molds and testing it's flexibility (it's quite flexible when cured).  http://kawaiifrenzy.com/Blog/2010/08/lumina-clay-tips-and-tricks/

I recently bought some Lumina myself, but haven't had a chance to give it a try yet.   When I do, I'll be sure to share my own personal experience with it.   If you've used Lumina, please tell us your own pros and cons!

Make a Pansy with Air-dry Clay

This pretty Pansy is a good flower project for a beginner who's tried a few clay flowers and is ready to tackle something a little more challenging.



The following demonstration is an excerpt from the new book "Amazing Clay Flowers: Creating Realistic Flowers and Floral Arrangements" by Noriko Kawaguchi.    In her list of materials, she lists "resin clay" which we know as air-dry clay.   In Japan, polymer-based air dry clays are usually called resin clays.  


Note: There are 4 general types or 'groups' of no-bake air-dry clays currently popular.  The paper-based (actually wood pulp) clays such as Creative Paperclay, the stone-based (pumice) clays such as LaDoll, and the polymer-based clays such as Deco Clay, Lumina, Luna and many other brands of "soft" clays usually used in crafting clay flowers.  The 4th group is the homemade and commercial cold porcelain clays, which are very popular for creating clay flowers.


Any of the above could be used to make these Pansies but the softer clays are usually better suited to making thin petals.

Paperclay Project: A Spoon Full of Stars

Isn't this a cute and decorative idea from Julie Haymaker Thompson?   Creative wall art made from Creative Paperclay, a wooden spoon, wire and glitter!   Complete instructions here.    Most crafters will have the necessary supplies on hand but, if you prefer, you can purchase a kit from her blog.

For a short while, you can leave a comment on her blog to enter the giveaway for the finished piece.   

Embossing Set by Walnut Hollow

In addition to the new, crank handle clay extruder from Walnut Hollow that we talked about yesterday is their clay embossing set.   Like the extruder, this also comes in a plastic storage case.    Even though I already have some of these tools, I like the convenience of the kit...so this is definitely going on my wish list!!  ;-)

Kit contains tools for embossing, stamping, cutting, and texturing all types of clay. Take a look at the video below and you'll see!

Each set includes the following:

·         160 Alphabet/ Number/ Symbol Tiles with a Tile Holder and Applicator

·         4 Texture Sheets

·         4 Clay Stamps with 1 Clay Stamp Handle

·         8 Clay Cutters

·         Storage Case to Hold Everything

·         3 Project Ideas with Instructions.