Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Wild Rose & Nest Brooch Tutorial....

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Hi, All!
 
I apologize for the delay on this post...
 
"Life" got in the way...;^) ~ but it was totally worth it!
 
College orientation for Jonathan, a quest for a new car for daughter Katie ~
 
(A super cute Salsa Red VW Beetle convertible...
 
named "Das Otto" after her Grandpa Pratt...)
 
She found him (her car, not Grandpa) in Saint Louis, and "Otto" is perfect ~
 
She'd been looking for him for a long time!

My girls name their cars...

Mandy's last one was "Dot", a blue convertible PT Cruiser;

  her newest one is "Fae"(the Ford)...

and Jonathan drives a silver "first-owned-by-Mandy" PT named Peg!
 
 
This brooch was a fun one!
 
I'm calling them "Flora~Luna" pins/brooches...we had the sweetest book when

Jonathan was small..."Stella Luna" ~ about a little fruit bat.

That kept popping into my head!

So, anyway...here is the tutorial. If I've left anything out, please feel free to ask me!

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Here are all the "ingredients"...Premo Polymer Clay ~

 ( my main color here is Spanish Olive) ~

the other greens have a little gold or brown added ~ just experiment; as long as you

have the same base color, they'll all play nicely together!

I also have basic White and Burnt Umber; the pink was just a small

 amount of dark pink mixed with white.

Please disregard the light yellow clay and the beads...I changed my mind after I

set up this photo! :^) ...I also have Liquid Sculpey, various PearlEx Powders,

a heavy-duty pin back (from Fire Mountain), and of course, Grandma's biscuit cutter.

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First, I conditioned the Spanish Olive (a ball about the size of a hard-boiled egg yolk)

by running it through my pasta machine about a dozen times...you can do the same

thing by just kneading it, though. If it's well-conditioned ~ soft ~

it won't crack on the edges when you cut it out and smooth it.

I set my pasta machine to the widest setting,

or you can use a roller to make it about 1/8 of an inch thick.

I used the biscuit cutter to cut a circle, then moved the cutter over about an inch

from the circle's edge inside edge and cut again to make a crescent shape.

Run your fingers over the edge to smooth the "cut out" look.

I like for my moons to face "inward" when worn on the left lapel ~

this is just a personal preference, it doesn't really matter ~

so I flipped the crescent over ~ this will be the back ~ and placed the pin back

close to the top, inside edge. Press down on it to make an indention.

Set the pin-back aside for now.

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Leaves!

They are the "background" for all my floral pins... and very easy.

Roll out little pea-sized balls of conditioned clay (some a little smaller, some a little larger) ~

Flatten them, making one end pointy. Make the edges thinner, and a bit wavy is good.

I used a needle tool (often used for ceramics; cheap and VERY useful) to make lines on the leaves.

Make several ~ it's more fun to add them here and there when they're already made!

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Here I've added some leaves to the ends of the crescent,

and I got the idea that instead of the line of pearls, I wanted to add a little bird's nest.

I know, the scale isn't right, considering the size of the rose ~

 so I'm saying that I'm employing Artistic License...

That, or it's a Fairy Bird's nest...either is good!

I didn't take photos of the entire process, but it was pretty simple...

I used a little Rhino Gray Premo, a ball about the size of a marble, conditioning it

really well. I used about half of that, rolling it into a ball again, then flattening it and

using a round-ended clay tool to indent the center. Then I added tiny little "snakes"

of clay randomly over the surface of the nest.

For the eggs, I added a tiny bit of turquoise and green to a small ball of white...

(if you use comparable tiny amounts of a color ~ say half-and-half ~ when experimenting

with color mixing, you can save yourself a lot of time and clay) ~

When you're happy with your bird-egg color, make tiny round balls first,

then roll them to elongate them just a little. Not too much!

Use the needle tool to place them in the nest...you'll be surprised at how well

the warmed, conditioned clay will stick to the "needle"!

Decide where you want to place the nest on your pin, then

add a dab of the Liquid Sculpey like glue, for a little added hold.

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Ta-Da!

I used a little Antique Bronze PearlEx powder on the nest,

and PearlEx Duo Blue-Green on the eggs.

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Making more leaves...(I'm working on an index card, by the way ~ it can go

right into the oven on my cookie sheet) ~

There's that handy needle-tool!

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Here is the whole shape covered with leaves, and a few tiny little "snakes" of

Burnt Umber ~ for branches ~ here and there...I also used some of the leftover egg-color

in between the leaves ~ I thought it would tie things together nicely ~but it ended up

being covered by flowers and buds and more leaves!

To start the rose, I used a pea-sized ball of metallic gold; first rolled into a ball

then elongated into a teardrop. I rolled seven pea-sized balls of the very lightest pink

(beginning with a marble-sized ball of white and adding minuscule amounts of dark

pink until I had just the barest pink tint) ~

"Smush" each petal between your fingertips, making them thinner on the edges...

irregular shapes are good!

Then, holding the gold center by its "tail", I placed the flattened petals

around the center, staggering them and curling the top edge back just a bit.

Very Wild-Rose-ish!

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I used one of my clay tools with a little rounded point to texture the center.

You could used a dull pencil to do the same thing ~

 (brush a little clear nail polish or some sort of sealer on the

tip first, so the graphite doesn't dirty your clay).

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By the time I had placed all the petals around the center, the little rose had quite

a "tail"! You can use a polymer blade to slice it off (making the back flat, which is good)

or just pinch it off.  Put a dab of Liquid Sculpey where you want the rose, and gently

press it on. If you've accidentally mashed any of the petals, you can fix them now.

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To make a bud, take another pea-sized ball of light pink clay and make a little roll...

it will have a "tail" as well, but don't pinch it off this time ~ use it to secure it to the brooch

around the rose, wherever you think a bud should be

 (just use a tool to press it into the background clay)...

I put one right by the rose, and one on each end of the crescent.

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Make some little "filler" leaves to hide the tails on the buds, and to place here and there

around the nest, etc. They are fun and kind of addictive!

Roll out little rice-sized bits of very well-conditioned clay ~ knead it with your hands to

warm it first ~ then cut those in half and roll them out again so they are pointy

on the ends. (Of course, if you got them small enough in the first place, you could eliminate

this second step...but I always want them just a little more delicate!)

Now you can use the needle tool to pick them up (if they're soft and warm

they'll just stick to it) and you can then use it to place them, secure them, and press in

a center line all in one fell swoop!



At this point I used a soft watercolor brush to brush in some darker pink (Flamingo Pink

PearlEx) around the base of the petals, and some Antique Bronze and Spring Green

on the leaves.

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I decided to use some pretty Chrysocolla beads to tuck in around the leaves;

I thought the color would compliment the little eggs!

First I wired them with some thin copper wire; thread the wire through

the bead and hold the ends with needle-nosed pliers, then twist the bead.

Leave a little tail ~ trim it and make a hook in the end of the wire;

  this will make the bead really secure when it's pushed into the clay.

Place the beads randomly around the leaves or blossoms

 and cover the wires (if they show) with some more of the little "filler" leaves.

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Now it's ready to bake!

I put mine in the oven at 275 degrees for 45 minutes.

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After it's baked and cooled, put a little bit of Liquid Sculpey into the indention
 
for the pin-back (it may not be quite as "indented" after you've worked on the
 
front, but that's okay) and put it in place.
 
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Then take a very thin rectangle of clay and place it over the pin...smooth it into the
 
already-baked clay. I textured it and used alphabet and number stamps on this pin,
 
but I think on future ones, I'll just use a stylus to sign and date it ~ :^)
 
Put it back in the oven for 45 minutes at 275 degrees.
 
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If you like the "matte" look, your "Flora Luna Brooch" is finished!
 
If you want a little shine, use a water-based sealer (I used Diamond Varathane) and
 
give it a little extra bake-time, 20 minutes at 200 degrees, to set the finish.
 
Now you can say "Ta-Da!!"
 
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Lastly, here is my little "Mini" Fairy House...finally finished!
 
It was such fun! (Lots and lots of texture!)
 
Thank you for your patience and for all your sweet comments!
 
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
 
Love,
 
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Adding this post to Savvy Southern Style's "Wow-Us Wednesday",
The Dedicated House's Make it Pretty Monday
and
Beverly's Pink Saturday!
 

42 comments:

  1. That is so beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  2. Wow Anne, you are so talented! Your creations are amazing... I am blown away with your houses and now even jewelry! Great tutorial! I didn't even know there was such a thing as Liquid Sculpey... I will have to see if we have it up here!

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  3. It is always a delight to see your creations and the process. Bonnie

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  4. Oh, Anne! You make it look so easy-peasy! I'm itching to learn to work with clay like this! (I already have too many projects as it is! :)

    Love your brooches and as always, your fairy houses are sooooo adorable! Love all the detailed touches you add! Just simply gorgeous! ! ! :)

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  5. That is so beautiful..
    love for you x

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  6. Really lovely! My favorites are still your fairy houses though! :)

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  7. How beautiful, you are clever. Love Lisa xx

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  8. The brooch is lovely, Anne. You are so talented and creative, and you must have a lot of patience too!

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  9. Beautiful...the tutorial was great thank you. I love that sweet little fairy house too:) I just used Fimo for the first time recently. Fun stuff.

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  10. As always super amazing. Makes me want to try clay again...oh wait I have too many other things I need to be doing!

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  11. Anne! This is a great tutorial! Love the detail and the close up shots. You are great with your hands :)

    Thanks for visiting me via GYB! I look forward to the next huge event!!

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  12. Another lovely project and a great tutorial. Your blog is quickly becoming one of my favorites! I haven't worked with polymer clay in a long time, but you've inspired me. Is there a super easy project that you know of that would be good for a (sort of) beginner like me?
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

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  13. Hi Anne,

    So beautiful!! Thank you for the tutorial.
    I used to work with clay, but that was a long time ago.

    I love the little houses you make!!

    Blessings,
    Wilma.
    Shabby Royale.

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  14. Ohhhh . . . so beautiful! Blessings, Patti

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  15. Lovely brooch! Wonderful tutorial!

    Cute that your children name their cars. When our girls were still living at home, I think they just wanted one to be "Old Reliable!":-)

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  16. Oh- I just lost a big long comment-UGH-Anyway-the gist was that I LOVE everything and thanks- xo Diana

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  17. Your broach is amazing! So much detail! So pretty! And, your fairy house is fantastic!! A+++ Truly love everything!

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  18. What a GREAT tutorial and your work is simply stunning! Beautiful brooch and I love, love the little Fairy House!! :)

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  19. I love the broach, and fairy house. Das Otto sounds awesome, happy for Katie.

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  20. Beautiful, Anne...and thank you for the demo. I think the bird's nest is perfectly proportioned...it actually looks like more of an accent for the roses being smaller than they, and it really adds a lovely touch...so great job!

    Your mini fairy cottage is darling, and I love the roof!

    Blessings for more inspiration,
    Marianne xo

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  21. Such beautiful work...after reading your tutorial I find the one thing missing for me to be able to make it is your gifted touch :)

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  22. I love your fairy cottage. You are so creative and full of talent.
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations.
    JB

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  23. Wow this is so pretty thank you for sharing

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  24. Anne, thank you so much for this tutorial! I'm finally going to try and make something from the clay I bought some time ago. The brooch is so beautiful and your fairy cottage is wonderful; the detail is amazing!

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  25. You are such a magician with clay, Anne! Breathtakingly beautiful!

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  26. Very sweet little project, Anne and of course the fairy house is darling! Such nice happenings with your children and I love the names of their cars. My daughter always wanted a Beetle, but now she drives a Jetta. A very fun post. Hope you have a lovely week and thank you for sharing your sweet creations with us. xx

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  27. A very nice tutorial and lovely creations. Hugs Judy

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  28. I love the roses. That's not easy! Amazing.

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  29. Perfect, perfect timing!!!
    I plan to post on your gorgeous gifts this weekend, and I can link back to this tutorial which you have SO GENEROUSLY shared!!
    Well, dear friend, your creations are the stuff of magic, and your heart and soul (not just your talent) are apparent in each and every piece...
    The fairy house...I really have no words for how special and adorable it is.
    Bless you, sweet Anne...
    Much love and many thanks,
    - Irina :)

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  30. Missed you..Love the brooch..I know you were busy doing important family things...The beetle sounds darling..My first car as well..Black with pin stripes and my initials..

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  31. Ah Anne - I just must give this a try...the fairy house and the brooch are fabulous. Thank you for the tutorial as well. Never having worked with clay before - what do you mean condition it? This is probably a really dumb question but I am green in this area completely. (Well I am green in many things - lol). You are so talented my friend and generous as well in showing how you create such beautiful things. God Bless you.

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  32. what a beautiful pin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  33. How lovely and how clever you are! Jane xx

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  34. very cool brooch project. i LOVE the little fairy house. that is fantastic. happy pink saturday! xo

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  35. Original Art is a breath of Spring Air! wow...you do have the magic touch ...♥Debi

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  36. Dear Anne,
    You are so talented! And kind to share your lovely work. I found you via Irina.
    Cheers from DC,
    Loi

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  37. I see the wonderful Loi has visited you, dear Anne...
    He is brilliantly talented.
    Thank you for you kind words regarding the cook up...wish you could come for dinner too! :))
    I am attempting the tutorial, hopefully this weekend...

    Getting compliments galore on your gorgeous pin!
    Thank you, sweet friend...have a splendid weekend...
    Hugs and love,
    - Irina

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  38. Hi, Anne! Thanks so much for your visit. I'm delighted we met courtesy of Irina :) Looking forward to following your blog and enjoying more of your posts :)
    Take care,
    Loi

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  39. Imagine, it's beautiful! You make it look easy, but not if I had to do it! Your mini house is just precious, so detailed.

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  40. Hey Ann,
    Love your sweet little fairy house! Have a great spring day!
    Kate

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  41. Just popping in to wish you a splendid Easter, dear friend!!

    I still have not had time to get to trying out the tutorial, but I am enjoying your precious gift so much...brings me joy!

    Sending love to you, dearest Anne...
    - Irina :)

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  42. To do a tutorial is not an easy task.. all the details, all the photos. But you did an amazing job! Impressive! And the project looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing. And I do have to comment on the girls naming their cars... I LOVE that! I just might have to do that when the time comes for buying a new car for myself. A great idea!

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!