Polymer Rock Purse/Amulet Tutorial
"What I've Learned"
by Laurie (turkeymama)
My Sally-Mander Purse
Note: The "purse" has been buffed, but the Salamander has not.
He is camouflaged on purpose. *G*
Please note that I've made a few assumptions:
- You have a pasta maker and love it! *G*
- You know how to condition clay and have worked with it awhile. There won't be details on how to do this part. Sorry! *G*
- I use FIMOŽ Classic and FIMOŽ Soft. If you use another clay, the instructions would be the same, except the baking. Follow the baking instructions for YOUR clay. *G*
- You already have a design for your rock purse in mind.
Supplies in these instructions:
- FIMOŽ Classic or FIMOŽ Soft
- Knife - NuBlade kato
- Pasta Maker - Atlas
- Fray Check
- Satin Cording - 1 yd or so.
- Smooth Rock - purchased at WalMart or Pier One Iimports
- Baby Powder
- Small bowl
- Oven - parchment or 3x5 card (I baked on a file folder)
- Super Glue Gel
- Toothpicks
- Hot pads
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Steps |
Pictures - to come... |
| 1. |
Choose a small, smooth, flatish rock. I bought
a bag of them at Pier One Imports, but have
seen them at the Garden Center in WalMart. |
|
| 2. |
Put rock in bowl and pour baby powder on
it...then coat the rock...but excess powder is
not necessary. |
|
| 4. |
Cover rock with a blanket of clay rolled on #4
on the pasta maker.
- 1 edge of slab should be cut and then the other edge marked by rolling the rock over and making a mark with cut edge. Make sure these two edges meet and are smoothed completely.
- Flatten ends down around rock, closing off the clay all around the rock
- Trim excess clay away, taking care not to cut "down" to the rock surface. You can fix this if you cut too much off by
piecing clay over the spot.
- Smooth and even out the clay around the rock, taking care to remove any bubbles in it by piercing with a pin.
- Score the opening for the lid with the back side of your knife and also score a "v" shape down the side of the rock -
deep enough to get the fat part of the rock out of the clay after baking. Even the long, thin rocks need the side cut in order to remove the rock.
- NOTE: I experimented with cutting the lid after baking, without scoring - it worked fine, but I was worried about missing the "spot" and cutting the lid goofy! So, I scored the rock one time and it worked well. The third time I cut the lid just before baking and still had to cut a bit after baking, but I preferred this third method.
- Bake FIMOŽ covered rock for 30 minutes - This clay can be baked forever without burning. I always bake at 250 and have had great results for 6 years.
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|
| 5. |
While holding your VERY hot clay covered rock with hot pad, cut the scored lines for the lid and the side slit...CAREFULLY remove the rock, while it's still hot. The clay is pliable at
this point and can be gently pulled away from the rock to help ease the rock away.
HINT: In my right hand I used another thinner cloth (a wet baby wipe, believe it or not!) to help me grip the rock while removing it. Take your TIME! tee hee...
Another NOTE: Cool the purse shell now. |
|
| 6. |
Apply a very thin coat of Super Glue Gel to the "v" shaped opening and add the "v" shaped piece back into the purse. A little bit of glue goes a LONG way here! |
|
| 7. |
Add another layer of clay - making sure all edges are flush by trimming the unbaked clay away. Take care to avoid cutting the baked purse shell. |
|
| 8. |
Bake 15 minutes - if using FIMOŽ. Follow baking instructions for other clays. |
|
| 9. |
Finish your design as desired. When making my lady bug, I think I baked her at each application so that I wouldn't smoosh up the wings and other things I was applying.
- I am new at this but a plain design for the first purse time is advised. I used a sheet of my rainbow Skinner blend and
my rock was huge - but I learned a lot!
- HINT: When applying an unbaked piece of clay to a baked portion, add a minute dab of Super Glue Gel to help it stick to the baked clay. This is the neatest trick I've learned this year!
*G*
|
|
| 10. |
For the lacing holders, create a 3/8" snake in desired color and cut ˝" lengths - minimum needed is four - two for the bottom portion and two for the top portion.
- Create hole lengthwise in each ˝" tube with a toothpick.
- Add a dab of Super Glue Gel to the spot where you'll attach these tubes of clay - only apply the glue when you are
ready to attach each tube of clay...do them ONE at a time...
- Keeping toothpick in the hole, attach and gently apply a tube of clay with hole running top to bottom, along the side of the purse.
- Push the tube onto the purse shell, creating a triangular shape and round off top portion, if desired, so the tube is rounded on the outside of the tube.
- Remove the toothpick after you are sure it's attached correctly and the glue is dry. You want this whole to remain
"round".
- Apply each tube with the Super Glue Gel. At least one on each side of the bottom portion of the purse shell and on the top.
- Bake again for 15 minutes.
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|
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11. |
Apply a bit of "Fray Check" to each end of the silk cording, candle wick or other lace and let dry.
- Tie a double knot very tightly.
- String from the bottom to the top of the purse shell. One lace per side.
- Finish off as desired.
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Becca's Rock Purse
There are several areas where you can see how to finish off your Rock Purse. I'm a novice and I know there are LOTS of artists out there who have lots of great ideas. Let's share them with each other. Send an email to turkey.mama@usa.net and share what you learn.
Another Rock Vessel Lesson: http://www.polymerclayhaven.com/lessons/rockvess.htm
Stringing the Amulet Bag: http://members.tripod.com/PolymerClay_Interest/amacord.htm
Rock and Aluminum Foil Purses/Amulets/Containers instructions:
http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/vessels_rock-alum.foil.htm
Also, take a peek at Joanie and Jan's compilation of things others learned while making their
purses. http://members.tripod.com/PolymerClay_Interest/RockPurse.html
Great view of finished rock purses from a swap:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=45197&a=326372
Great place to get into lots of fun swaps:
http://www.delphi.com/polymerclay/pcc/swapindex.html
Joanie's Album - for inspiration: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=45197
Marty Woo's purse project: http://members.aol.com/martywoo/purse.html
Kathleen Dustin's wonderful work:
http://www.npcg.org/Gallery/movingforward/movingforward.htm
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