The photo above shows my chrysanthemum pendants. They are made from a mold that I created from a decorative piece of metal. I've also re-made the mold to include the leaves as well (shown below)
Here is a photo of the chrysanthemum's with leaves.
From the time I roll out the clay to the time I apply the final coat of sealant, (not counting bake or drying time) each flower takes over 2 hours of work. Yes, I said two hours, and that's being conservative.
When I remove the clay from the mold, each one is hand trimmed, enhanced where needed while allowing for some rough/rusticness. After a first baking and cooling, I clean off any 'bad' spots, smoothing again in spots, but, still leaving a little character. I apply paint, removing layers, adding layers, lowlighting and highlighting as I go, leaving as thin a coating as possible - they air dry (if you're pressed for time, a heat gun or a hair dryer could be used). Once they are cooled - this is really where the creating begins. I use various implements to remove the paint - yep, I did say remove. Once I achieve the look I'm going for with each and every flower, I set them aside for a bit. At this point, some will get a layer of antiquing glaze, some may get a scrubbing with a kitchen scrubber, each one gets a final tweek before another quick bake (especially if I've applied another treatment). When they are completely cooled, they'll get at least two coats of a semi-gloss or gloss polymer clay compatible sealant.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my flowers :)
From the time I roll out the clay to the time I apply the final coat of sealant, (not counting bake or drying time) each flower takes over 2 hours of work. Yes, I said two hours, and that's being conservative.
When I remove the clay from the mold, each one is hand trimmed, enhanced where needed while allowing for some rough/rusticness. After a first baking and cooling, I clean off any 'bad' spots, smoothing again in spots, but, still leaving a little character. I apply paint, removing layers, adding layers, lowlighting and highlighting as I go, leaving as thin a coating as possible - they air dry (if you're pressed for time, a heat gun or a hair dryer could be used). Once they are cooled - this is really where the creating begins. I use various implements to remove the paint - yep, I did say remove. Once I achieve the look I'm going for with each and every flower, I set them aside for a bit. At this point, some will get a layer of antiquing glaze, some may get a scrubbing with a kitchen scrubber, each one gets a final tweek before another quick bake (especially if I've applied another treatment). When they are completely cooled, they'll get at least two coats of a semi-gloss or gloss polymer clay compatible sealant.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my flowers :)