Easy Homeamde - Easy Homemade Pottery: Make Your Own Stylish Decor Using Polymer and Air-Dry Clay

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Copyright 2020 Francesca Stone

First published in 2020 by

Page Street Publishing Co.

27 Congress Street, Suite 105

Salem, MA 01970

www.pagestreetpublishing.com

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eISBN 978-1-64567-151-0

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2019957315

Cover and book design by Laura Benton for Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Francesca Stone

For Ollen
Be wild; that is how to clear the river. Clarissa Pinkola Ests

Theres nothing more satisfying than creating something useful and beautiful with your own hands. For me, its even better when you can do it all without leaving your own home. When I talk about working with clay, most people jump to the conclusion I mean kiln-fired clay. But Im here to show you that home modeling clays are just as good for creating stunning pieces for your home.

In this book, I use air-dry clay and polymer clayboth can be used at home to create everyday practical and decorative items. Yes, kiln-fired clay can have amazing results, but that is a difficult and expensive hobby to learn. Its my belief that home modeling clays are just as special: They are affordable, and theyre available in hobby stores and online. The techniques are just as creative, and the finishes are endless. Sometimes we need to be creative to get the best from them, but to me that just makes the process more exciting.

I started working with clay after finishing my degree in textile surface design. I was working with jewelry and that naturally led me into the incredible world of polymer clay. Ive spent the last ten years sharing the process on my blog, and many of those first projects came from a desire to share my love of clay with the world. As my ideas became more ambitious, I also started to experiment with air-dry clays, which opened up a whole new love of working with the material. And it seems you love it too! Some of my most popular craft DIYs to date are my clay tutorials.

Clay is easily one of my favorite materials to work with. The freedom of the process and the sheer scope of creative uses just keep me coming back to clay time and time again. Clay modeling will always have that hold on me because theres always something new to learn: a new way of mixing materials or a new finish, a different mold or pattern placement. Youre never limited with clay.

I work with air-dry clay and polymer clay, and each brings different properties and benefits to the pieces we create. Use traditional treatments or experiment with ideas that have never been done before. Stick to the rules or break them. Make mistakes, have happy accidents and learn something new each time you pick up a new project.

Its the endless possibilities that keep clay exciting for me. Its a way to let your imagination run wild and flex your creative muscles. Creating projects with clay can be slow and thoughtful. You can become immersed in the clay, focusing on the process and taking yourself away from the stresses of the world. But its also a great craft if you dont have hours of spare time to dedicate to it. You can create something beautiful even if you only have small pockets of time available. Many projects in this book are achievable in just half an hour, making clay a great material to work with if you want to commit to crafting more but you already have a busy schedule.

Ive created the projects in this book to highlight how versatile and expansive your clay creations can be. Clay can be used in every room of your home to decorate, improve productivity and add personal touches that are unique to you. As you create the pieces in this book, youll learn techniques for adding color, texture and pattern to your clay. Youll gain the skills and knowledge to build shapes and create containers, hooks and handles, holders and platters. As you build shapes and put these techniques together, youll have the foundation to craft your own ideas and fill your home with beautiful clay creations.

All of the projects in this book can be created at home with simple, accessible materials and tools. Every project is achievable with little or no experience. Some of the projects are quicker than others. Some might need you to come back to them several times after waiting for the clay to dry and/or set before completing the final steps. The techniques I use are easy for beginnersalthough some, such as blending and joining, require more time and patience. Its best to tackle those projects when you have more time to dedicate to them.

There are many different clay brands you can use for these projects. My personal favorites are DAS and FIMO for air-dry clay. DAS clays are soft, and the terra-cotta is a beautiful shade. FIMO has a larger range of colors and they also come in smaller sizes for smaller projects. I also use FIMO polymer clay. I find it softer to use out of the packet than other brands, which means less time working and conditioning the clay before getting started.

Other polymer clay brands include Sculpey and Cernit. Ive used both of these brands in the past and theres little difference. Some are easier to work with, but the outcome is the same quality. There are also non-branded clays available, which I wouldnt recommend using. These are less likely to have consistent colors, and the quality of your piece may suffer. FIMO, Sculpey and Cernit have large color selections, making it easy to find a similar color for the projects in this book no matter which brand you use.

There are many air-dry clay brands, and there isnt a best brand I can recommend. Each brand has slightly different properties. Some are firmer and some require more water to work with. Use the one you like best and can find easily. If you can, experiment with different brands and find one that suits your style of making!

Its important to get the right clay for your project, and its also a good idea to invest in quality tools and materials if you can afford to. In my experience, lower-end tools sometimes break in my hand as Im using them! Making one-time, carefully considered purchases will save you from buying the same items again and again. The same advice holds for items such as glue or varnish. A good glue creates a more stable bond, making your pieces last through more everyday wear and tear. Your varnish will provide protection from the environment. Investing in these items will prolong the life of your pieces.