Have you ever been tempted to try a new skill or crafting medium? I like to think of myself as willing to try anything once in the crafting arena, so when I was presented with the opportunity to make a project and polymer clay tutorial, I was excited to try my hand at it.
The clay came, and then it sat. I was intimidated! I have never been a sculptor. The times I try to create animals or recognizable shapes for my kids, they mostly fall pretty flat (I can make a mean snake though). But I could do it!
I finally sat down to get started on a project, and after several hours I was disappointed when it didn’t turn out. I was no good at this. But in that moment I also realized that we all have to start somewhere. And my somewhere wasn’t with a globe complete with base and intricate continents. (You can totally laugh at me–what was I thinking?) I’ll leave that to someone a little more advanced.
So I started over with something a lot more realistic for a beginner. I remembered I had some little silicone molds, so I pulled them out and started playing. And the results were cute, simple, and frustration-free.
Molded Flower (and Bead) Polymer Clay Tutorial Supplies
- Sculpy Premo! clay
- Silcone mold
- Large needle or needle tool
- Waxed paper or aluminum foil to protect your surface
- Oven
- Coordinating beads, beading cord, and fold-over elastic
Instructions
- Knead and work your clay for a few minutes to get it nice and warm. Since we’re going to squish it into a mold, we want it to be malleable.
- A little at a time, fill your mold with clay making sure to fill all the little nooks completely so your completed bead will have crisp edges and lots of detail. Make sure you pack it in tight!
- Once it’s all packed, use the side of your thumb or a knife to get off all the excess clay and make a nice flat surface.
- Bend your mold a little all the way around your shape, and your shape will pop out. Be careful not to put pressure on the details.
- To create beads, take a sharp tool or large needle, and gently work it through the clay from one end to the other without smooshing the details.
- Once you have your beads created, put them in a little aluminum foil pouch, and bake them in your oven at 275 degrees for 30 minutes per 1/4″ (mine were a little closer to 1/2″ so I baked them for 1 hour).
- Once they’re cool, string them on a bracelet as desired using beading cord and coordinating beads.
- Or, glue them to some fold-over elastic for fun and unique hair ties.
No matter what you end up doing with them, this polymer clay tutorial will help you get beautiful results even if you’re a super beginner like me.
And over time, I’m sure I’ll get back to that globe–it’ll be awesome when I’ve got a few more skills!
What a neat idea to use the molds! I love working with polymer clay, but my problem always has been that no matter how much I wash my hands, I wind up with a spot of dirt in my white clay. So as much as I love the look of different colors of clay, I’ve adapted by painting whatever I make. It was so nice to see that you didn’t give up with your project but found your own way to make it work for you….and ended up with a great piece of jewelry!
Thank you Jamie, it was a great way to make a nice finished product. I need to try painting it next, I have some Pearl Ex that would be fun to play with as well. So many fun options!
That turned out so cute!
Thanks, Steph!
I love making my own jewelry and to give as gifts! Thanks so much for the inspiration and the tutorial.
Thanks Ashley. These would definitely make great gifts and they’re quick too!
I used to make stuff out of polymer clay all the time when I was a teenager, but that was a looonnng time ago! Those flowers are really cute, they look like vintage ones.
Thank you, Anna–I am so glad they turned out well!
Dust the mold with corn starch before using it really helps to keep it from sticking. Also once the clay is in the mold if it is too soft to work with throw it in the fridge for a few minutes.
That’s an awesome tip–thank you for sharing Robin!
[…] This diy project is all about molded flowers and you can see how amazing the results are. This polymer clay tutorial that you see here is basically for the beginners. besides clay you will also need silicone mold, large needle or needle tool, waxed paper, oven, aluminum foil, coordinating beads, beading cord and fold over plastic. Tutorial […]