Clay And Play Thursday, January 29, 2009

I was so happy to get back to claying after a stressful week of regular work. I made a couple more Bottles of Hope, still in practice mode. I think I am happy with them, although they could use a little embellishment, maybe some Swarovski crystals or something. Any suggestions?

I do love the shape of these bottles, even if they aren't the standard size or shape of typical Bottles of Hope. Hey, I'm a rule tweaker, what can I say? These are recycled, upcycled, reclaimed or whatever you want to call them, room freshener plug-in bottles from Bath and Body Works. The tops are proving to be the hardest part for me, I hope these look appropriate to the shape and design of the bottle. But I can always make more, I suppose!

This is Peacock Studio by Sculpey clay which I embossed with a filigree stamp and painted with chocolate brown acrylic paint. I also dabbed on, sparingly, my special sooper dooper verdigris "grout", which has in it liquid Kato clay. After baking, I sanded off most of the paint and grout, giving it a distressed, aged look. I then buffed it (yes, you can buff Studio clay!) to a nice satiny shine.



This one is a Skinner blend of Blush Studio and Clementine Studio clay. I darked the blush color with a little red alcohol ink, then embossed it with a leaf and vine stamp and dusted it with bright gold mica powder before curing. I then sanded and buffed it. This one is for a special lady whom I've heard is partial to pink and orange. I hope she likes it.