Halloween Spider Bottle

Design Team Member Bea Grob recently shared this spooky fun altered bottle made 

with Makin's Clay® here on her blog. 

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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Mixed-Media Altered Bottle

When I think of mixed media projects, my thoughts turn to canvas and wood because they are definitely fun bases to work with.  But have you ever thought of using a bottle as the base of your project?

Supplies:

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​Makin's Clay® - Black

Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat

Makin'sⓇ Texture Sheets - Set A, Floral A

​Beacon Adhesive 

Instructions:

Starting with a base of clay, the possibilities are endless. You can use any size or style of bottle for this project, just let your imagination flow. Simply adjust the amount of clay needed for the bottle you are using. I used a 4.2 oz package for my 16 oz bottle.

Use your hands to flatten and stretch the clay.

Starting at the bottom of the jar, place the clay on the bottle and force it around the bottle with your fingers. I found one 4.2 oz packet was enough for my bottle, but if you desire a thicker layer, a portion of a 2nd package will be required. Where the edges meet, push the clay together. While still fresh, Makin's Clay® does not need adhesive to seal.

Continue forcing the clay around the bottle until the bottle is completely covered. You will have finger prints in the clay, but that only adds to the final overall effect!

Using several texture sheets add designs randomly around the bottle. Since the clay is still soft and fresh, simply wrap the texture sheets around the bottle and rub on the texture sheet alternating pressure with your fingers. Using the different pressures allows for lighter and deeper impressions in the clay.  I used Texture Sheet Set A and Texture Sheet Floral A.

I let the bottle dry 24 hours before continuing, but you can continue as you see fit.  I actually taught this project recently and, since time was limited, my students painted the bottle right away and they turned out wonderful.

Using assorted Prima Art Alchemy acrylic paints, add the colors randomly - don't be precise - the idea is to play around, mixing colors and textures. 

I also used Prima art Alchemy Metallique wax to add additional color  The wax really added some amazing color on the black clay.

I glued some mesh  randomly around the bottom of the jar for some additional dimension (after first painting it with black gesso).  While the glue was still wet, I added some Prima Art Stones.

Finally, I selected an assortment of embellishments from my stash and added them to the bottle.  Some I glued in place and some were allowed to hang free.

I hope you give this a try.  It's a great way to use empty bottle and all kinds and types of embellishments in your stash.

Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

Altered Bottle Challenge - "Garnet & Wings"

Anita Buckowing has started a Facebook challenge group called BOTTLE UP! 2019.  If you'd like to join the fun, here's what the group is about: 

“Welcome to BOTTLED UP! 2019.

This is a themed project-based group that is open to all with the hope that all participants have fun and enjoy sharing their creations and maybe learn something too.

This Group was inspired by a post on MyModernMet.com that detailed a ceramic artist that created unique bottles for 100 days straight.  After discussion with a few friends, we decided to challenge participants to create a unique bottle every two weeks (total of 26 bottles in 2019).

Since some folks like themes to help provide direction to their creative energy, we decided to publish a schedule (each month has a birthstone color theme and every two weeks has a subject theme).”

While I am not sure I will be able to meet the challenge and keep up with creating a bottle every 2 weeks, I have challenged myself to create at least one a month!

It’s a fun way to think outside my normal “clay jewelry” box these days.  It’s also a great way to showcase not only my favorite glass etching products from etchall®, but to show and share with the group the broad range of applications of another of my favorite versatile products - Makin’s Clay®! 

For my first bottle I’m following the January themes of Garnet & Wings.  Here's how I created the delicate, dimensional butterfly accents for my altered bottle. 

Materials:

Glass bottle 

Makin’s Clay® - Red 

Makin’s Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine® 

Makin’s Professional® Cutting Mat 

Instructions:

Make a sheet of Red Makin’s Clay® by rolling through the Ultimate Clay Machine® beginning on setting #1, and increasing one setting at a time to setting #8. Let sheet dry overnight. Cut to as size that will fit through your die cutting machine. 

Following manufacturer instructions, cut desired number of butterflies from dried sheet of Makin’s Clay®. Makin’s Clay® remains flexible after drying and is lightweight, not brittle, etc. A great option for die cutting to add dimension to your projects. Use clay tool, or craft knife, to remain any unwanted pieces that remain after cutting. 

If you'd like more information on how I created the etched glass effect on the bottle, find those instructions here.  

Use Beacon Mixed-Media Glue to mount clay butterflies to the bottle where desired.  

If you have the desired color faux gemstones, apply as desired to make “flight trails” behind butterflies.   If you only have clear/silver gemstones, a great way to color them is with a touch of alcohol ink.  Non-adhesive faux gemstones can be substituted and adhered with the same Mixed-Media Glue.  

Add a bit of glow inside your bottle and highlight your etched butterfly details with a string of LED lights.  These lights from FloraCraft® can be turned off and on with a simple twist.  I used a touch of the Mixed-Media Glue to actually adhere the plastic battery case to the bottle top. 

Wrap organza ribbon around the rim of the bottle and up far enough to cover the light case.  Tie a bow and the bottle is complete! 

Bottle of Hope

Patricia Krauchune recently shared this cute little Bottle of Hope embellished with Makin's Clay®! 

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. 

Etched Winged Bottle

Steph Ackerman recently shared this altered bottle with Makin's Clay® wing embellishments.  Makin's Clay® is the perfect option for almost any craft project as it's lightweight and flexible!

Winged Steampunk Bottle

The Steampunk genre was made up in the 80s; inpired by fiction writers Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and many others.  Flying machines and submarines are devices that embody the genre, along with the cool corsets and Victorian dresses. One rule about steampunk is that your devices/machinery has to be made out materials that existed in the Victorian era; retrofit them with steampower tech. Another rule is that you use your creations for good (it’s supposed to be a utopian world). With that in mind, I know bottles existed in the Victorian era; so, my bottle gets to have wings, fly and send positive messages. Aaah…so fun to imagine. I made my little bottle using Makin’s® Clay Gears Texture sheet and black Makin’s Clay®. Sorry, it’s not steampowered yet, working on it though, lol!     

Materials

• Makin's Clay®– Black  
• Makin's®– Texture Sheet Set F, Gears  
• Makin's Professional® Cutting Mat
• Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®
• Baroque Art Gilder’s Paste Wax; Celtic Bronze, Silver, German Silver
• Golden – Black Gesso
• Steampunk theme molds
• Glue

Instructions

Start out by selecting a bottle. Rinse it out and let it dry completely.

Using Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine, roll out a sheet of Black Makin’s Clay® to the second thickest setting (setting #2).

Making the sheet metal. Ensure that the clay sheet will wrap around the bottle completely. 

Wrap the sheet of clay around the bottle, cut out the excess clay. 

Add glue to the clay and adhere to the bottle. Make a faux sheet metal by adding indentations with the blunt side of the clay blade.  

Add divots (depressions) on the edges with a stylus. This is simulates welded sheet metal.

Making the Wings. Download wings templates from the internet or draw them out. Trace the wings onto chipboard. You only need one. If you flip the wing horizontally in the opposite the direction, you can make the mirror side.

Place the wing template over the sheet of clay and cut out with scissors or precision knife. 

Place the gears sheet over the clay and push in one gear at time into the clay in a random fashion. If you place the whole sheet over the clay, they look perfectly linear and simply does not look right.

Making the Embellishments. I used a Steampunk theme mold to make the embellishments. Push in the Black Makin’s Clay® into the mold, cut any excess clay.

Allow all your clay pieces to cure for 24 hours. 

After all the piece cure, paint them with Black Gesso. The black Gesso make makes everything look uniform and the metallic wax adheres better.

Color the bottle, wings and embellishments with Baroque Gilder’s Paste waxes; Celtic Bronze, German Silver and Silver. Glue all your piece to the bottle. You can use soft cloth or your fingers. Really, your finger are the better tool. I used one finger for each color, lol! The best and faster way to clean your fingers is with rubbing alcohol or baby wipes. Then you wash with soap and water. 

All you have left to do is adhere all our pieces to the bottle and now you have a yourself a little cool steampunk device.

Altered Bottle

Hi everyone,  Steph Ackerman here with an Altered Bottle.  Incorporating clay into altered bottle art allows you to create a wide variety of projects.  I wasn't quite sure what I was going to create when I started this project, but it ended up being a fun holiday project (and it's never too early to get a head start on holiday projects!).  By simply changing the floral spray, this project could be adapted for any season. 

Supplies:

Makin's Clay® - I used Grape Leaf, but Black would also work well.

Makin's ProfessionalⓇ Cutting Mat

Makin's® 

• Push Mold - Leaves
• Clay Texture Sheet - Floral

Black Gesso

Prima Marketing Metallique Paints

Instructions:

Start by using your hands to flatten grape leaf green clay.  Place the clay on a bottle and continue to spread it with your fingers forming it around the bottle.  While still fresh, the clay will adhere to the bottle without adhesives.  Using fingers to move the clay around the bottle leaves a nice impression.




For more dimension, I rolled the bottle on a texture sheet pressing it into the clay.

Next, I painted the bottle with black gesso and put it aside to dry.      

While the bottle was drying, I used the Leaves push mold to create an assortment of leaves from grape leaf green clay.

I painted the leaves with assorted colors of Prima Marketing Metallique paints.






Next, I placed a floral spray on the bottle, holding it in place until it dried.  Then I placed several of the clay leaves amongst the floral spray.

I added color to the gessoed bottle with Prima Marketing Metallique paints.  I used my fingers to be sure the paints got into the embossed areas.   Next, I then spritzed the bottle with water so the colors would run and blend together.

What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by.

Steph