Mixed-Media Sewing Box

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Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here with my newest project using an assortment of Makin's Clay® products.

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​Supplies:

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​ Makin's Clay® - White

​ Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat

​ Makin'sⓇ Clay Roller and Cutters Set

​ Makins'Ⓡ Clay Tool Set

​ Beacon Adhesives - 3-in-1

​ Imagine Craft's Ink - VersaFine Clair Nocturne

​ Black Gesso

​ Molding Paste

​ Prima Molds

​ Prima Marketing Metallique Paints

​ The Crafter's Workshop Stencil

​ Whisker Graphics Twine

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Instructions:

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​ I started by painting a wood box with black gesso.
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Next, I used molding paste with a brick stencil randomly around the box.
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Once dry, I painted the box with Prima paints, spritzing with water so the colors would run.
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Using the Michelangelo stamp from Just For Fun Rubber Stamps, I inked with black ink then randomly stamped it about the box.

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Wings and locks were created from white Makin's Clay® using Prima molds.
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To smooth out the clay pieces, I used the clay roller over the molded pieces, then used the clay tool to cut away the excess clay.

​I painted assorted chipboard elements, the clay wings and the clay lock with Prima Metallique paints.

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Assemble the chipboard pieces on the box, wrapping the spools with Whisker Graphics Twine.  Adhere the scissors across the top of the spools and glue everything in place.  Place the wings under the dress form, adding a button on top.
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​To finish, I added a lock to the side of the box.

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​The box is a perfect size to store an assortment of sewing supplies.

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Thanks for stopping by.
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Flowers & Angel Altered Bottle

Altered Bottle by Steph Ackerman

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with an altered bottle.  I picked up this bottle from my local dollar store knowing that it would be fun to alter.

Supplies:

Makin's® Clay - White

Makin's Professional® Cutting Mat

Beacon Adhesives - Tacky Glue

Prima Mold, Paints, Flowers

Rinea Foiled Papers

Spellbinders die

Instructions:

Condition white clay then wrap it around a glass bottle.  As you force the clay around the bottle, allow some texture to form - don't look for a smooth finish.  This adds some nice character to the finished project.  Allow to set before continuing.  Since I wasn't sure what I was going to do, I put it aside for about 2 weeks.  When I picked it up again, I had this fun dimension.                                                                                                      

I pulled out Prima acrylic paints and began by painting it with Red Gold.

Next, I painted over it with Gold paint.

 

Finally, I added some touches of Blue paint.  Then I used a baby wipe to remove some of the colors creating a patina effect.

I created the winged angel using white clay with a Prima mold.  After letting it dry for several hours, I painted it with Red Gold and Gold acrylic paints.  Then I used a baby wipe to blend in touches of Blue acrylic paint.

To finish, I adhered the angel to the bottle with Beacon Tacky Glue then surrounded it with flowers.

I dry painted some Red and Gold paints to give the flowers a touch of color.  Using Spellbinders dies, I die cut Rinea Foiled Paper and added some leaves around the flowers.

A little bird was created with white clay and then painted with Gold and Blue acrylic paints before adding it amongst the flowers.

Finally, I painted the stopper with Blue acrylic paint since I'm not yet sure what I'm putting in the bottle and I wanted it to be complete.

What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

Vintage Style Bottle of Hope

Bottle of Hope - Vintage Style - Designed by Lucy Reese

Hello Clayers! This month we all participated in designing Bottles of Hope. I had never heard about the program until joining the Makin's Clay® Design Team. I can tell you that the cause hits really close to home as I lost my mother to lung cancer in 2005 at the age of just 56. It seems once we know one person who has it, we begin to know more and more people who have survived or are still fighting some form of cancer. This month, I would like to dedicate this piece to my mom, Virginia Turner. 

Note - Here is a bit more information about what Bottles of Hope are - Makin's Clay® is proud to have our designers supporting this worthy effort through the creation of Bottles of Hope featuring Makin's Clay®.  

Bottles of Hope are small glass bottles covered with polymer clay and given to cancer patients. They symbolize a wish and a hope for health.  This project was started in 1999 by a Rhode Island cancer survivor and has spread internationally. Bottles are made by artists, students, survivors, seniors and many more who volunteer their time and love.   Learn more about this worthwhile project, see a gallery of many creative bottles and more here on their website. 

Supplies:

Makin's Clay® - Red
Makin's Professional® 

• Ultimate Clay Machine®
• Ultimate Clay Extruder®

Small Round Jar with Cork
Prima-Iron Orchid Baroque #1 Mold
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive™
Art Alchemy Paint- Rusty Red
Black Paint for a Wash

Instructions:
1. Use the Ultimate Clay Machine® to roll out the red clay beginning on setting #1 and then again on #2. Apply some Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive to the glass, and form the rolled clay sheet around the glass jar.  Blend in your seam using a bit of water on your fingers.  

2. Using the Prima, mold create 4 of the sun burst looking one ( I don't know what it's really called..lol) Again, add some adhesive to 3 of the molded accents and add to the jar. For a little something extra, I used some small stamps to impress the word "Hope" in between the sun bursts while the clay was still fresh. To create your top, add a sun burst to the cork and hand make a small handle. Set everything to dry for 24 hours, and then use the Rusty Red to paint the entire piece.








3. You can create any details you would like. One way that I added some interest was to use the Ultimate Clay Extruder® to make some small ropes to braid together to add around the lid. Once everything is painted, make a wash from a little black paint and some water, paint it on and wipe it away leaving it in the crevices. 

That's all there is to it! Bottles of Hope is truly an inspiring project to be a part of!

~Lucy