Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree by Lucy Reese

This month Makin's Clay® challenged it's Design Team members to select a Pin from our Tutorials & Techniques Board or our Polymer Clay Inspiration Projects Board and create a project using Makin's Clay® based upon the chosen pin.  Our goal was not to have our designers simply copy of the projects, yet be inspired to perhaps try a new technique, or create a project style they might not normally have considered. 

This decorative Christmas tree was inspired by this pin with several options for creating clay trees.   I added a Christmas star and some dimensional snow accents.  A few of these snow-touched trees would also be great wintery decorations to display throughout the winter after the holidays have past.  

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/501588477234081921/

Materials:

Makin's Clay® - Green or White  
Makin's® Clay Cutters - Star and Teardrop
Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®
Styrofoam Cone
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive™
Art Alchemy Paint- Green Olive
Metallic leafing DecoArt® Snow-Tex™

Instructions:

Step One:  Use the Ultimate Clay Machine® and begin on setting #1.  Roll the clay, then roll on setting #2, and again on setting #3.   Lay down adhesive all over your styrofoam cone; cut some long rectangles of clay and adhere to cone. Seams and imperfections are fine at this point as it will all be covered.

Step Two: Again roll clay through your clay machine to setting #2 (depending on how thick you want your leaves this can vary). Now, take your teardrop cutter and create your leaves. Smooth/gently press the rounded edge of each "leave" into the clay base. Remember to start the placement from the bottom up.

Step Three: Once you have all your leaves adhered take a tool and roll up the end of your leaves for added dimension.

Step Four: Time to build your star! Roll out your clay on the 3rd thickest setting and cut out 2 stars. Lay down adhesive on one of the stars and sandwich in a toothpick. Let the tree and star dry completely. 

 

Step Five: Since I used white clay, I painted my tree with the Art Alchemy Paint. And for my star, I decided on metal leafing. For my last step, I used the DecoArt Snow-Tex sporadically on the leaves of the tree.