Clay Journal Covers

If you have been visiting my blog for some time then you know I like to try new things and this time it is working with polymer clay.  I have been scouting Pinterest and YouTube for months now to learn how to work with clay to make all kinds of interesting things such as journal covers. I first blogged about this back in February and if you look back you can see how far I have come since then.

I like to draw using the Zentangle method and I am always looking for cool paper to make into a Zentangle journal.  When I saw the journal covers by The Mandarin Duck  and The Mandarin Moon, I knew I had to give it a try.

Well here goes, my first two journal covers.....

On this first one, I used black Sculpey III rolled out to 4 x 6 1/4.  I sectioned off an area for sand and an area for sea.  I used PanPastels to colour both areas and then began adding my gems, charms and shells.  I finished off with a little Perfect Pearls for shine and more colour in some areas.

 This second attempt is coloured with Perfect Pearls.  I used a mould for a couple of the shells you see on both covers.

I still have to seal them and glue down to the journals.  I am going to keep one for myself but the others will be available to my Zentangle students for purchase. Let me know if you want one too.

I'll be back when I have more clay journals to share.

NancyD

Playing With New Toys - Sculpey Clay

Hi All!  I am sure my few faithful followers are wondering where I have been.  Well, I have been away at a work related conference and I have been playing with new toys.

I love how Pinterest shows you things they think you would like to see.  Well we all know that can lead to trouble.  I was drawn in by journal covers made with polimer clay.  Naturally, I had to try it for myself.  Here is my first attempt.....

I really didn't know what to start with so I went with something familiar - flowers.  I rolled out a brown clay base and then used an embossing folder to impress the background image. I rolled flat a section of green and hand cut the leaves. I tried adding tiny micro beads into the leaf vein but they wouldn't go where I wanted them - too tiny!

I watched so many YouTube videos and visited a few blogs to get an idea of what to do and what supplies were needed.  Here are the links to a few of my favorites:

• https://www.youtube.com/user/PolymerClayTutor
• https://www.youtube.com/user/myserenitycrafts/videos ** my favorite **
• https://www.youtube.com/user/mymandarinducky

There are so many more to check out but you can find the ones you love by google'ng or searching YouTube.

My second attempt was a sea plate.....

This one has little pearl beads and assorted green glass beads, as well as more of the tiny micro beads.  I used a mold to make the shell and starfish shapes.  I am so loving this one and will probably make more of this style to actually put on a journal.

I also tried making flowers from two different cutter shapes....

I added Pearl Ex power to the clay and a bead for the center before baking.

I am really enjoying checking out what to do with polimer clay.  I am sure you will see more here soon.

Have a wonderful crafty day!

NancyD