Polymer Clay Free Tutorial: Making a mold using Weeds, Flowers, & Pods

  

                                               How to Make a Polymer Clay Mold

Spring has sprung here on the sunny West-Coast of Florida. Flowers are blooming, trees are lush and green, and the weeds are abundant!  It inspired me to go for a walk in the woods, and as polymer clay is always on my mind, I decided to search for something new to use in my mold-making. I found so many interesting shapes and textures that I thought would lend themselves perfectly to polymer clay. A few of the plant specimens are shown below. I found it best to use them right away, as they seem to dry out quickly, and become brittle.

 

Use a conditioned piece of Premo clay that has been rolled out on the #1 setting of the pasta machine. Cut 2 small squares and lay them one on top of the other, so you have a double thickness of clay. Place the clay block on a baking tile. Dust the top of the clay with some cornstarch to act as a release. Trim the plant specimen and arrange it in a pleasing pattern on the clay block. 

Next, cover your work with a piece of parchment paper. Using an acrylic square, press down to embed plants and stems.

Grasp the stems by the ends, and carefully pull them out, so as not to distort the raw clay mold. For the stubborn ones left behind, use a beading pin to gently pry up the pieces. If you are going to use the mold to make earrings you can stop at this step.

 

I like to add a raised frame around the edge when I make a mold for a pendant, it really sets off the design. If you decide to put resin on your pendant, the frame has the added advantage of holding the resin on top of your pendant.

Now, place the mold in your clay oven, and bake for approximately 30 minutes at 275 degrees. 

I hope you enjoy this tutorial, Happy crafting!

Tip:  When using your new mold to make a pendant, dust it thoroughly with cornstarch, so the clay doesn't stick to the mold.

Pendant made using the mold with the raised edge frame

*Note how nicely the thin edge holds the resin

Please stop by and visit my Etsy Shop for Polymer Clay Jewelry, and Tutorials: Beadazzle Me

My Polymer clay Earrings on Polymer Clay Daily: Extrusions Everywhere

My latest work is featured on Cynthia Tinapple's Polymer Clay Daily Blog. I subscribe to her blog, so it was waiting for me this morning in my email inbox! I did a double-take when I read my name at the top of her article entitled Extrusions Everywhere. I love experimenting with extrusions, it's a surprise every time you crank the handle on the extruder. It always leaves me wondering. "Now how did I do that"? You can really create some distinctive, one of a kind jewelry pieces!

Here are a few more pieces made using an extruder. I love the earthy Southwestern colors for the Winter season. Great with sweaters, jeans, and boots!

 All of these pieces are available in my Etsy shop- Beadazzle Me