Rock Fairy House

Rock the House by Patricia Krauchune

I just love little cottages and stone houses. This rock house was made from a rock I found maybe 20 to 25 years ago and was just sitting in my cellar collecting dust. I saw two little elves in my courtyard one day...they were homeless! So here is their new digs! Rock on boys. 

Supply List: 

Makin's Clay® Black                    Small Pins                                    Krazy® Glue

Black Gesso                                  Oval Cutter                                   Beacons™ Tacky Glue

Rock:  size and shape you like     Glass Button                                 Golden Gloss Polymer Varnish

Glove with texture                        Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Wax    Delta Creamcoat® Yellow Paint

2  Gears                                         Screw                                           Art C® Wax:  Copper/Gold/Silver

Recommended Makin's® Tools: 

Makin's® Push Mold - Leaves              Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®

Instructions:

I painted a rock I have had for years with Black Gesso.  Set aside to dry.

Roll out some Black Makin's Clay® on the #3 setting of the Makin's Professional® Ultimate Clay Machine®.  Completely cover the rock with the black clay.  I had a garden glove with great texture so I cut off a finger of the glove and used it to texture the entire surface.

Let it dry overnight. 

Using the "Leaves" Makin's® Push Mold, I made 8 leaves to use for shingles on my rock house.  When dry, I colored each leaf with Cosmic Shimmer Chic Moss Gilding Wax. Put these aside to dry. 

With some black clay rolled out on the #1 setting of the clay machine, cut 2 circles a tad larger than the gears you will be using. I secured the gears to the clay circles with some small pins then attached the "windows" to each side of the rock house. A smear of Beacons™ Tacky Glue will help with adhesion. 

Using an oval cutter, cut out a "door" for the rock house.  I scored some vertical lines on the door to give the illusion of planks. 

Next I used Krazy® Glue to attach a glass button for a window and a small screw was glued on for a door knob. 

Attach the door to the front of the rock house with Beacons™ Tacky Glue. 

At this point, I attached the leaves, using Krazy® Glue, in a pattern that pleased me. I cut some of the leaves to fill in gaps. 

The spaces in the gears were painted with yellow paint.  Then use the Gilding Wax colors that you like to finish the rock surface.

Here's your finished rock house!  See, you can Rock the House with Makin's Clay®!

Window of Hope Bottle of Hope

Window of Hope-Bottle of Hope  - Designed by: Donna Budzynski

This month Makin’s Clay® asked us to create a Bottle of Hope.   If you know anyone who has had, fought, is fighting, or has died from cancer than you know even if there is just a window of Hope, you take it!

That is how I decided to create my Bottle of Hope.

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. 

Materials Needed:

Makin’s Clay®  -  White  (You could use colored Makin’s Clay® and not have to paint)

Makin’s® Clay Tools - Roller 

Makin’s Professional® Cutting Mat

Jar

DecoArt® Acrylic Paints

Paint Brushes
Water

Instructions:

1.     Roll out white clay to cover bottle.

2.     Place clay over bottle and press until smooth.

3.     Create a cover for bottle.





4.     Create details for the gnome home - a door, window, rocks, etc.

5.     Attach to the bottle.  Fresh clay sticks to fresh clay without any additional adhesive.  If needed, moisten with a touch of water and it will adhere.  Or, use a clear drying adhesive if preferred. 





6.     Set aside to dry.  Normally, Makin's Clay® dries in 24 hours, however thicker pieces, like the top,

may take longer.

7.     Start painting. Use colors of your choice.

I enjoyed making this bottle, my only wish is that my Dad would have had a window of hope.