Making "Porcelain" Knobs

I thought I would try making some knobs for my kitchen faucet.

First I found a photo of some real porcelain knobs. VintagePlumbing.com has lots of them as well as other really cool old bathroom and kitchen fixtures.


So here we go. Anyone can roll out a snake with clay. Even me! LOL

I made some skinny snakes out of FIMO clay then cut a piece about 1/4" long. Then I cut another piece in half and added them to the sides. When they looked like a cross I added a teensy flattened ball to the center.


Then I popped them in the oven to bake. It took about 15 minutes at 275. I kept checking on them to be sure they didn't burn.


I only need two. Let's hope there will be two that match?

Tomorrow I'll show you how they turned out. Or maybe how they didn't turn out?

Sweet dreams!

Playing in the Kitchen

I went looking in the kitchen for a mold for my garage lights. In this junk drawer I found a melon ball cutter.

It had the perfect shape but the handle got in the way. Tabitha suggested using a cigar holder. Since I didn't have one of those, I got a blood drawing tube at work and tried that. Tabitha also suggested putting the molds in the refrigerator for a while to keep the clay from sticking.

I didn't have much success with that. A Google search turned up Judi Maddigan's site. She suggested using cornstarch lightly dusted on the mold. That worked really well.

Now I have four little red bowls. If they don't work for the lights, I can use them in the kitchen! :D

Thank you for all of your helpful suggestions. I think I'm getting closer to making something I can actually use?

Hope you have a lovely day! I would love to stay home and play but I need to go get ready for work. Money for minis, you know . . .

Clay Lamp?

I did some research on the gooseneck lamp I am trying to make for the garage. It seems the original ones were made of porcelain. My first one was made with cardstock and a bead. Since it is too big, I thought I would try making one out of clay.

I found this video at Garden Of Imagination. She is making a bowl but I thought the shape could be used for my light? If I made a bead for the top, I could run the wire through that. This is what I am trying to make.

This is what I've done so far. I don't know what it is with me and clay but things just don't seem to turn out as I imagined.

Guess I'll keep trying.

Hello Kitty?

Not much time for minis this morning. Here's my first attempt at making a polymer clay kitty. Go ahead and laugh, I am!

I still need to smooth/blend and add the details. I won't quit until it really looks like a cat. LOL Maybe I should watch some more videos?




Hope you have a beautiful day!
Blessings,
Kathi

Clay Cats?

I'm having a bit of a problem here. I decided I wanted to try to make some little polymer clay cats for my "cat house." I've purchase three, one is pictured. They are too expensive for me to buy more. I thought maybe I could make something that resembled a cat?

I have some white Premo polymer clay. I have been sitting here kneading it for over thirty minutes and it's still too hard to form. My hand are a little cold, is that what's wrong? Shouldn't it have softened up by now?

Another thing I'm noticing is that my hands are starting to itch! I don't think I'm allergic? I don't have a rash. Maybe it's the kneading that's causing my hands to tingle?? This stuff is really hard to work with! Got any ideas???

I'm going to go read my new BHG magazine, watch some TV and go to bed...
Sweet Dreams,
Kathi

If At First You Don't Suceed...

Well, I played with clay for a while. Watched a video. Googled. Smooshed. Kneaded. Rolled. What I learned was to be very impressed with anyone who can do anything with clay!

I won't be making baskets or clay items for Christmas! Back to the books - reading one or making more for my bookcases. I like making mini books. I like building things. I like painting things. Maybe I'm trying to do too much?!


For those who asked, I used photos copied from the internet for my books. Pasted them to a Word document. Then I resized them and printed them out. For the covers I used Casey's tutorial. I used a thin white foam sheet for the inside. Cardstock for the outside. Then I pasted my little printed cover on. Easy.

That's what I need now. Another easy project! Maybe I'll go take a nap first...

T-shirt found at Amazon.com
Think I'll order one!

Blessings,
Kathi

Why Not Just Start With Something Easy?

I got out my Polymer Clay today for the first time. I had the intention of trying to make some plates.

Instead I found a tutorial on how to make little shoes. Since I'm just a beginner, I really should have stuck with something easy! This was NOT easy!

After a few little tweaks, they will ready to go in the oven.

I really will get my laundry done today and clear out that dollhouse! Really, I will.

I even bought some bug spray so I can go outside to the laundry room and not be eaten alive. If you live in the southern USA you know what I mean!

See you soon!
Kathi

Polymer Clay Plates

How to Make Polymer Clay Plates Video

I've watched this video several times. I just might be able to do this?! If you have any ideas or suggestions for making flat dinner plates out of clay, please let me know!

Blessings, Kathi