Clay for Mother's Day

This week we made these fun clay hearts in anticipation of Mother's Day. We will be done with co-op classes in early May, so I have to get the Mother's Day projects done early. I almost forgot to factor them in this year! I found this idea at mrspicassosartroom.blogspot.com , and am only sorry it was not my own idea! She has her own instructions there, but she painted the flowers instead of using colored clay. We had not done any clay this year, so this project filled that need too. Very do-able and fun for many ages. My kids did beautiful projects again! We had a 3-year-old visitor who made one too!

Here is what we did:

Materials:

Polymer clay, various color
cutting utensils (a couple of knives)
paper plates

ribbon

It is always different doing these projects in a group. The prep is a bit more-but I am getting pretty good a guessing how much, how many and what we will need to do for a smooth and successful project.

I allowed about 1/2 block of white or cream clay for each heart base. Clay must be conditioned before use so it is pliable and does not crumble. I had each student work their white clay (knead and roll) while I explained the process we would be following to them. Too little conditioning causes trouble later-cracking, etc., so be sure they condition every piece of clay before using it.

After conditioning was done, each one flattened their white clay on a paper plate or waxed paper sheet. Picking up and squeezing clay out with fingers into a pancake before laying it on the plate to squish it makes it easier to get a flat shape. About 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick is good. I had made some paper heart templates that students could cut around to make their heart shape. These hearts were about 3 inches across the widest part of the heart. Reserve scraps for another project.

To make an edge on the hearts, students should pick up the heart and pinch the edge with fingers, flattening into a sort of knife edge and somewhat rolling it up to make a cup to lay clay flowers in. You could also ruffle the edge. Some students simply rolled a long snake and outlined the heart with that. Some left the edge plain. (See various pictures.)

Before class, I cut a bunch of small bits of colored clay onto paper plates. Students chose which colors they wanted for their flowers. (Below-also, my practice heart.)

To make the rose flowers, 1.) roll a small bit of clay into a "snake" (Remember-condition all clay first!), 2.) then squish it gently with your finger, 3.) then roll up into the flower. (See below.) Smaller bits of clay for smaller flowers, bigger bits of clay for bigger flowers.

Instruct the kids to not push the roses into the clay heart and flatten them. They need to wiggle the rose base onto the heart base. We used little balls of rolled clay to fill empty spaces. After the clay has cooled from working with it, you can check each piece to see that it is all attached before baking. The clay will be firmer then and not lose its shape so easily. Bake according to the instructions on the polymer (Sculpey) clay package.

Before baking I poked holes into the sides of the hearts. After baking I strung them with ribbon for hanging. See below. The purple and yellow heart is a smaller version one of the boys made. With a little modification, these could be made smaller and used as pins or necklaces.

Random clay tips:

*If it is cracking or shedding, you need to condition the clay more. Very hard or dry clay can be used if you work it enough. Condition small amounts at a time and the texture will eventually improve. Rolling and kneading both work well.

*Colors will come off on your hands and transfer to other clay. Napkins or paper towels on the tables will help with cleaning fingers between colors.

*Clay will pick up any dirt or fuzz. Have a clean work surface, clean hands, and keep it off of the floor, etc. Use a paper plate or waxed paper to work on to keep it off of work surfaces.

*You can bake the clay on paper plates or individual sheets of paper (with names) without problems. This will help keep projects sorted for classes or individual students.

*There are many polymer clay books and instructions out there. Check your library, book store or internet for ideas. Some of our favorites are from Klutz Press. I always keep my eyes open for new ones at thrift stores and rummage sales.

*Clay is safe, but instructions call for care in use. For safety and best results, follow all cooking and use instructions on the clay packages.