FALL Mixed-Media Wall Art

Design Team Member Steph Ackerman recently shared this fun mixed-media wall art project with Makin's Clay® accents.  Steph used Makin's Clay® and the Makin's® Leaves Push Mold to create her embellishments,

BOO! Halloween Wall Panel

BOO! Halloween Wall Panel by Steph Ackerman

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​Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today and I've got a new Spooky project to share for Makin's Clay®.

​Supplies:

​ Makin's Clay® - Black, Brown, White, Earth Tones
​ Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Ultimate Clay MachineⓇ
​ Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat
​ Makin'sⓇ Clay Cutters - Rectangles, Halloween Set
​ Beacon Adhesives - 3-in-1
​ Mod Podge clay mold
​ Memento Fireworks Shimmery Craft Sprays
​ Sizzix dies
​ Burlap Panel
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Instructions:


​Start by spritzing the panel with assorted colors of Fireworks Inks.  I started with lighter colors then realized I wanted a darker effect so I added a darker blue and gray.
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Begin by conditioning the white, black and brown clays.  Then place each individually in the clay machine at the highest setting.  Reduce the setting on each pass until you have the thickness you need for your project.
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As I was creating a Halloween scene, I die cut a haunted house from the black clay.  To be sure the clay did not stick to my die, I place the clay between wax paper and then ran it through my die cut machine.  Although still damp, it die cut beautifully. 

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Picking up the left over black clay, I mixed it with some white clay and again ran it through the clay machine until I had a mottled effect.  I then die cut the roof of the house and placed it atop the main image. 
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As the clay was still damp/fresh, no glue was needed to adhere the pieces.​

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​Next, I die cut 2 trees using another Sizzix die.  Again, I placed the clay between wax paper so it would not stick to the die.                           

Once all my elements were ready, I started creating a spooky scene.  I began by adhering some torn strips of paper across the panel then put the trees in place.  Realizing I wanted fence posts, I used the left over black and white clay and die cut the fences.  I also had left over brown clay so I free hand cut a sign.  Using the small pumpkin cutter, I created several pumpkins, used a craft stick to create texture, then spritzed each with Fireworks Craft Sprays.  They were placed around the sign onto which I added letters spelling BOO.

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​Using the ghost clay cutter, I created a number of ghosts that I adhered to the panel.  In the upper corner I created a moon and placed a ghost on top. 

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The black cats are standing on the fence and the witch's hat is in the tree.  Yellow clay was added behind the house to simulate light in the windows then the house was adhered to the panel.  Using the remaining black and white clay panel, I used a rectangle cutter to create bricks for a walkway.

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​Hoping you have a Happy Halloween!

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​Thanks for stopping by.

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​Steph

Happy Fall Card

Design Team Member Steph Ackerman recently shared this pretty seasonal card.  Steph used Makin's Clay® and our Makin's® Leaves push mold to create her leaf embellishment.

Mermaid Altered Bottle

Mermaid Altered Bottle by Steph Ackerman

Hi everyone, Steph here today with another altered bottle.  I must say I have been having so much fun incorporating Makin's Clay® products on my bottles.  Makin's Clay® is a fantastic medium to use on glass.

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​Supplies:

​Makin's ClayⓇ - white

​Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat

​Makin's Ⓡ Push Mold - Sea Shells

​Makin'sⓇ Texture Sheets
​Burlap
​Prima Metallique Paints and Art Stones
​Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray Inks
​Ranger Metal Embellishment
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Instructions:
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​Originally, I placed white clay around the bottle, then used the texture sheets randomly around the bottle for texture.  Then I painted assorted colors of acrylic paint.

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​But then I realized I wanted to go in a different direction and painted white gesso over the entire piece.  The gesso covered the paint, but still allowed the texture to show.

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Once dry, I painted the entire bottle with Prima Mermaid Tears for a pretty light blue effect.  Next, I wrapped burlap partially around the bottle and glued mesh on top.  Art Stones in a variety of sizes were glued next on the mesh and allowed to dry.

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​Using the sea shell mold, I created an assortment of shells.  I must say this is one of my favorite molds and I use it quite often. 

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​For color, I inked the shells, then spritzed them with several colors of Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Sprays before adhering them about the mesh.   I spritzed the bottle with several colors of Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray Inks, heat setting each layer so the colors would stay true.

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​ Finally, I added chain to a metal charm and placed in amongst the sea shells.

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​ I added more color as I felt necessary to finish my Mermaid Bottle.

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​ What do you think?

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​ Thanks for stopping by.

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​ Steph

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Mermaid Tail with Clay Sea Shell Accents

Design Team Member Steph Ackerman recently shared this fantastic mermaid tail mixed-media piece.  Steph used Makin's Clay® and the Makin's® sea shells push mold to embellish her fancy tail.

Summer Cards & Gift Bag

Summer Cards & Gift Bag by Step Ackerman

We are in the middle of summer.  Kids may be heading to camp.  Friends and/or family may be leaving for vacation. Why not send everyone off in style with summer themed cards and coordinating gift bag. Steph Ackerman here to show you how you can create embellishments with Makin's ClayⓇ and incorporate those decorative elements in your projects.

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​ Supplies:

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​Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat

​Makin's ClayⓇ - White
Makin'sⓇ Sea Shells Push Mold
​Imagine Crafts Ink

​Just For Fun Rubber Stamps
​Crafters Companion dies

Cardstock

Pattern paper

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Instructions:

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​Start by creating sea shells using white clay and the Sea Shells Push Mold.  Since the clay needs minimal conditioning, you can begin creating the shells immediately.  Pull off  pieces of clay and push into the molds.  Remove any excess clay and use to create additional shells.  The shells easily pop out of the molds.

I used the entire package of white clay to create an assortment of shells.  Look at all the details on those shells.  You can use them immediately or wait until they have dried.
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​Using a summer pallet, die cut the letters and adhere the panels together.
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​Create cards from orange cardstock and place a layer of pattern paper on top.  Wrap the die cut letter panels with ribbons then adhere the panels to the card.
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​Ink the sea shells with gold ink and adhere by the ribbon.  Stamp and emboss the sentiments and mat with cardstock.  Then add the sentiments to each card.  Place an additional sea shell to the corners of each sentiment.

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Next, create the gift bag using the same colors.  Stamp and color the beach scene with Copic Markers and add graduating sizes of cardstock using the same summer pallet.
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​ Finish by adding several additional shells to the corner of the beach scene.

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Add items that the recipient will enjoy receiving.
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​Thanks for stopping by.

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​Steph

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Summer is Better in Flip Flops

Design Team Member Steph Ackerman recently shared this cute mixed-media project.  Steph used Makin's Clay® and the Makin's® Sea Shells push mold to create the dimensional accents for her project.

Decorated Tissue Box

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today sharing an altered tissue box with lots of Makin's ClayⓇ elements.  Makins' ClayⓇ allows you to create wonderful embellishments that can be used on all your creative projects.

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​Supplies:

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Makin's ClayⓇ - White and Terra Cotta

​Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat
​Makin's® Roller and Cutters Set
​The Crafter's Workshop stencils
Prima mold
Plaid FolkArt Paint
Imagine Crafts Gold Creative Medium
Imagine Crafts Fireworks Shimmery Craft Spray - Lady Bug, Pear Tart
Gesso
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Instructions:

​Begin by painting black gesso on a tissue box, covering both the inside and outside.  Once dry, use assorted stencils with modeling paste to add texture along the sides and the top of the tissue box.

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​Using a Prima mold with white clay, create 2 sets of wings.  Use the roller to force the clay into the mold to create as much detail as possible.
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​Adhere the wings as shown and place buttons in the centers.  Also create several buttons using Terra Cotta clay with a circle mold and place in 2 corners.
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​Once all the elements are dry, gesso the entire tissue box again.  I wanted a uniform background onto which I could add color.
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​ Paint the box with FolkArt Wisteria.
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​Dry brush on FolkArt Cameo Blush.  Add touches of FolkArt Cayman Blue to the wings, the buttons and along the edges.
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​Realign the stencil and use Gold Creative Medium to add definition to the words on the top.  Do the same along one side with the word Memories.
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​Once completely dry, spray Lady Bug and Pear Tart Fireworks Sprays around the entire tissue box to add a little shimmer.  Use a tissue to blot excess spray.
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​Let dry thoroughly and enjoy or give it as a gift.
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​Thanks for stopping by.
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​ Steph
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Masculine Cards & Beach Tag

Design Team Member Steph Ackerman recently shared two great paper crafting projects she embellished with Makin's Clay® elements!  Makin's Clay® is perfect for paper crafting because it is lightweight, flexible, and acid free when dry.

Find the tutorial for her beach tag here.

Find the tutorial for her masculine cards here.

Altered Jar

Hi everyone, Steph here today with another altered jar.  I must say I have been having so much fun altering jars and Makin's ClayⓇ is a fantastic medium to use on jars to create amazing projects.

Do you keep secrets?  Do you write them down?  Where do you put them?  Instead of putting them in a box or an envelope, why not put them in a special secret jar?
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​Supplies:

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​Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat

​Makin's ClayⓇ - Brown
​Imagine Crafts Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray - Posie, Bamboo Leaves
​The Crafter's Workshop Stencil
​Prima Metallique Paints, Art Stones
​Graphic 45 Key
​Any size/type of jar
Mesh

Use brown clay (or any color of choice) and form it around the jar.  Use your fingers to move the clay around the jar until the clay meets.  Fresh clay will adhere to the glass as well as itself  so no adhesive will be necessary to seal the edges.  Your fingers will leave indentations in the clay and that just adds to the texture around the jar.
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​Use a Crafter's Workshop stencil with molding paste randomly around the jar.  Let it dry completely.

​Add color with a variety of Prima Metallique paints.
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​Continue adding color until you are satisfied with the results.  Allowing the colors to blend creates some amazing colors on the clay.

​ Spritz the jar with Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray in Posie and Bamboo Leaves.

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​Spritz a piece of mesh with Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray in Bamboo Leaves and then glue it around the jar.

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​Once dry, start adding a variety of elements.  I attached a key engraved with "Secrets" and assorted sized art stones along the mesh.​

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​Finally, I glue additional mesh around the neck of the jar.  This hides any imperfections at the top of the jar as well as gives it a nice finished look.
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​ What do you think?
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​ Thanks for stopping by.
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​ Steph
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