Steampunk Pencil Holder

Steampunk Pencil Holder - A Great Father's Day Gift  by Iris Rodriguez

Hello Makers!

May brought us flowers and a chance to honor our moms. June brings us hotter weather, dads and grads. Father’s Day is around the corner, so why not make him an easy to make gift that he can use at home or the office?  Give dad this cool Steampunk/Industrial Vintage Pen and Pencil Holder.

Materials:

Makin's Clay® Black
Makin's® Roller

Makin's Professional® Cutting Mat

Makin's Clay® Clay Texture Sheet Set F - Eyelag Screws, Gears, Hex Bolts, Sprockets

Gear and Clock mold

Tin can

Black Gesso

Gilders Paste; Silver, Foundry Bronze, German Silver

Instructions:

The pencil holder can be just about anything that is sturdy and is no taller than 4 inches. You can go taller, but then it start to cover the pens and pencils. As for diameter; it can be as wide as desired. I used a small food can that measures 3 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches in height.

Roll black Makin's Clay® to approximately 1/8" thickness.

Now we move on to making the surface design using texture sheets.  (If you have issues with the fresh clay sticking to the texture sheets, a light dusting of corn starch will eliminate the sticking.  Or, I used a very small amount of olive oil on a paper towel - any corn starch or oil which transfers to the clay can be easily removed with a soft damp cloth.)

You can place the clay  on top of the desired texture sheet, or place the texture sheet over the clay.  Both sides of the texture sheets will work - one will create a raised design, the other an inset design.  Use the clay roller to roll the clay and transfer the design.  To get an even look, turn the texture sheet 90 degree and roll again.  I rolled sheets of the two sets of gears and screws for this project.

The shapes on top of the surface were made using a gears and clock mold. To make the mold, add lubricant to the crevices, then push the clay into the mold. Not need to wait for the clay to hardened, it can popped off right away.

Place the clay on top of the can, with a cutting tool. Then mark the areas that will be cut. For the height, I cut just below the lip. I cut different size sheets; each being a different design texture.

Once the marks have been made, lay clay down and cut.  If you do not wish to measure the clay sheets against the can, you can measure the can with a ruler, then cut. I like to see how it’s going to look on the can, do that is why I shape it against the can

You don’t have to wait for the clay to cure to mount it to the can with adhesive. Makin’s Clay® keeps it's firmness and shape and can be handled right away. As the matter of fact, it’s ideal, as you can cleanly cut the clay and shape it on the can, while it’s still pliable.

Next we are going to add metallic Gilder’s Paste. First paint the surface and molded shapes with black gesso. The paste can be added to the clay as is. I like to paint the surface with black gesso; because  allows the paste to better adhere to clay. I also like it because it gives the clay that genuine distressed look because of its chalky nature. Polymer clay is plastic based, so the paste gives it more of an even smooth look; if it’s a desired look then no need to gesso. Add the paste by rubbing it on the relief areas with your fingers.  If you don’t wish to use your finger, you can use a cotton cloth.

Also, be sure to add paste to the molded clay clock and gears and glue them to the surface.