Liquid Sculpey Clay Candlestick

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Polymer Clay - beige, translucent beige
• Clay tools: X-Acto® blade, clay scribe tool, blending tool
• Liquid Sculpey Clay (Translucent & White)
• Sculpey Flexible Push flowers mold
• Small flat brush
• Water and paper towel for cleanup
• Baking sheet or tile
• Aluminum foil
• Cutting mat
• Pasta machine
• Small clay rolling pin
• Ruler
• 2 Candle sticks

DIRECTIONS:

1. Condition the clay by running it through a pasta machine until pliable without cracking, this can be done by hand as well.
2. Roll the Beige clay into a 1/4" flat sheet. Using a ruler as a guide, cut the sheet into 2 pieces 2"x 4" to use as the bases.
3. Wrap the bottom 3" of a candle stick with aluminum foil lightly, so it's easily removable. Twist the end to create a handle to easily hold and remove the end.
4. Cut a clean edge of clay and wrap the clay around the aluminum foil lightly. Trim and secure the seams by pressing the edges together and using a blending tool to blend the seam. Cut the tube 2.25". You may need to adjust this to longer or shorter depending on your candle (you want to be able to easily remove the aluminum foil from the inside of the tube). Once the tube is formed, remove the aluminum foil (you can bake with the aluminum foil inside but it's best to remove and smooth as needed without it). If needed, you can crush the foil down to remove it easier and just make another one for the next holder.
5. Attach the tube to the center of the 2"x 4" piece of clay. Add a thin coil of clay where the seams meet and blend together if needed. Attach on the inside by using the blending tool. You can be a little looser on the inside when attaching, since it won’t be seen after the candle is inserted.
6. Bend the 2"x 4" piece of clay into a subtle arch with the tube on top. Use a crumpled piece of aluminum foil to support the arch. This will be the base of the candle stick.
7. Place onto a tile or a tray covered with aluminum foil. Tent with aluminum foil and bake as directed on the package (325 degrees for 15 min).
8. Create petals and leaves with the liquid Sculpey. Marble the two clays together to add more interest for some pieces. Bake molds according to the package directions.
9. Once the bases of the holders are baked and cooled, start attaching the petals and leaves to the base. Use small dots of clay and liquid clay to attach and create floral elements.
10. Once you have your desired look, place the holder back onto the tile or tray, cover with foil tent and bake again for 30 more minutes at 325.
11. Let cool and insert candles.

JOANN HACKS:

• Wash your hands regularly between colors to reduce the transfer of colors from clay. You can use baby wipes to help wipe away clay discoloration.
• When baking make sure to always tent your clay. To do this create a foil dome to go over your piece and help regulate the temperature on the clay to keep it from scorching. This also helps maintain the colors.