DIY Network

Polymer Clay Embellishments Add polymer clay style throughout your home. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-118

There’s almost no limit to the ways you can B. Original with polymer clay. In these projects, Michele Beschen shows how you can use this versatile medium to embellish items throughout the home. Scroll down for her ideas, then get started on your own.

Jazz up glass or ceramic vases...

Or string a glittering garland of polymer leaves.

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	Figure A
	Figure B

Embellish Glass Vases

Note: Work your clay on a hard, smooth surface such as marble or glass.

• Cut clay into small pieces and knead until soft.

• Roll out flat with an acrylic roller or a non-stick rolling pin. Or, use a pasta machine that you only use for clay work—it’s great for creating even, exact layers of clay.

• Layer different colors together and play with different designs. Create spirals by layering different colors of clay, rolling them into a cylinder and slicing off sections. For concentric circles, roll out a long cylinder of clay and wrap it in contrasting colors (figure A).

• Press designs firmly onto a glass or ceramic container (figure B). Don’t use plastic—it will melt when you bake on the design. Bake on parchment paper according to package instructions.

• Polymer clay sticks to glass as it bakes. If any comes loose, stick it back down with contact adhesive.

Figure C

Clay Tiles

• Roll out a slab of clay.

• Stamp with a deep-indented rubber stamp to make individual stamped letters or whole words (figure C). If clay starts sticking to the stamp, clean off and coat with cornstarch.

• Bake on parchment paper according to package instructions.

• Cover finished pieces with gold or silver metallic paint, or gild with metallic leaf.

	Figure D
	Figure E

Clay Leaf Garland

• Choose a design outline for your leaves. You can cut a template from paper or even use a foam stamp.

• Roll out a slab of polymer clay, lay template on the clay and cut out template shape with a sharp blade (figure D).

• Remove the template and excess clay, and carve additional detail in clay with a sharp blade.

• Make a hole in the leaf with an awl and bake on parchment paper according to package instructions.

• After the piece cools, coat it with sizing and gold leaf (figure E).

• Use a snap swivel and jump ring to attach the leaf to a chain. String several together for a handcrafted leaf garland that look great draped over a mantel or hanging from a chandelier.