I have been admiring the clay bowls that Stars and Sunshine has been posting lately, so I thought I’d try a version myself for Raya’s room. She has a great tutorial – it’s what I used! Hers has a little different look using lace imprints, so go and check that idea out too!
This little bowl required:
- One package of clay (I used white, and painted it, but it comes in all sorts of colors!)
- A rolling pin and trimmer (I picked up a set specifically for clay because I didn’t have a rolling pin, but a regular rolling pin and butterknife would work fine)
- A round cutter (I used a plastic bowl)
- A decorative stamp
- An oven-safe bowl for shaping & baking
- Sandpaper, paint, and gloss for finishing (all optional, depending on the look you’re going for)
First, roll out your clay on some wax paper. I rolled mine out to about 1/4″. If you’re using a food rolling pin, you’ll want to cover the top of your clay with another sheet of wax paper. This roller is just for clay, and it’s nothing fancy, just a plastic tube. I bet some PVC piping would work well, if you have some lying around.
I used a small plastic bowl as my cutter. I love these little bowls for paint and stuff, when I found a 6-pack for $1 a while back, I got a set to beat up with my crafty projects.
Then, I trimmed it down. You don’t need a fancy trimmer here, a plasitc knife would work fine. Don’t worry about that rough edge – we’ll sand it down at the end.
I flipped it over, so that I’d have a nice smooth surface to work on. I used a rubber stamp (found this in Michael’s dollar section) to stamp a big “R”… for Raya. :)
Then, I just set it carefully in my oven-safe bowl. Don’t let the size throw you, this is a small Corelle fruit bowl.
I baked it according to the package directions. Every brand and formula is a little different, so make sure you check!
When it was done, I still found it to be slightly flexible. Now, for those of you who work with polymer clay – correct me if I’m wrong, but this seems to be pretty normal? It’s not going to be quite like fired pottery clay.
To finish it up, I just sanded the rough edge, and painted with some acrylic paints. I went with a very light coat of paint, letting my brush strokes show, but finishing is one of those things where there’s no wrong way to do it – just do what you like the looks of! When I was finished, I added a light coat of Sculpey Gloss. (I guess spray sealants are bad for polymer clay – so you definitely want something that paints on!)
And with that, I have a fun and easy little personalized piece for my daughter!
I link up to these great parties!
~ Adrianne
Very cute project! Gave me some organizing ideas. Stopping by from Welcome Wednesdays. http://www.robinseccentricities.com/2012/07/welcome-wednesday-blog-hop.html
How fun is that?!? What a cute bowl! I love the color you chose and putting the letter in it is perfect! Thanks so much for sharing this as well at Thursday's Temptation.
Jill
Polymer clay is something else that I have never worked with. I need to check it out. Great tutorial! Just popping over from Mamal Diane to check this out:) I would love for you to share this at Freedom Fridays. So hoping to see you there!
PS Still enjoying following you.
ok..I want one of these for myself! :) I would love it if you came and linked up at Well Crafted Wednesdays! Here is the link:
http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/05/well-crafted-wednesdays-link-party-6.html
I love the color of that bowl! It would be perfect for a nightstand or dresser to hold little odds and ends, or near an entry way for keys (we are always leaving our keys everywhere and can never find them!) Thanks for linking up to The Fun In Functional!
Yours turned out beautifully! I love the texture of the green paint :) Thanks for linking back to me!
I LOVE IT!!! This is something that I would love to do with my older kids. Thank you for sharing!! :)
Love this – I'll have to try it myself!
Now following your blog
Jess @ http://creativeheightsjg.blogspot.co.uk/
Following and looking forward to reading more!
Daisy @ http://trendymomreviews.blogspot.com
Neat! You are just making all kinda of fabulous things!
Cute! Like the color!
This is so cute!!!
WOW! This is so cool, I have never done this before, it looks like fun! I might have to make something!
Carlee
I really like this too, love that green colour. I picked up some clay and haven't done anything with it yet. Thanks for the tutorial.
This is really great. I love craft nights with my girls and this would be great to do for our Bible group “He is the Potter I am the clay” lesson…with a word in the center that we want God to shape us into…like kind, grace or friend…a great reminder and a great houseware…thanks for this great tut!
OOooooo I love this!! I have wanted to try polymer clay out too. You really are on a roll of trying new things! What a great idea to use the rubber stamp on it.