Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

CHA Summer show and Bottles of Hope

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A couple weeks a ago I attended the CHA ( Craft and Hobby Association ) summer show in Illinois. I volunteered to go with Ilysa of Polymer Clay Productions to help her out with some filming she had planned to do . Ilysa is a fun and outgoing person to be around. Even though I already knew her from my membership with PCAGOE, this was the first time we had met in person. It was like seeing an old friend again! We had a blast that weekend. I got to meet Lisa Palveka (of Heart in Hand Studio and Covered in Clay) and watched her do a demo for Ilysa to film. She is a very sweet lady and I was very humbled in her presence. I wish I had had the time to sit in on one of the classes she taught that weekend. One can dream……

Even though I had a great time, I was a little disappointed with the show. It was 99% scrapbooking vendors. I was hoping that all of the polymer clay related companies were going to be there. Ilysa told me that there were a lot of companies that didn’t show up at this time. We did however meet with Kathy of Staedtler and she gave Ilysa the info on the Bottle of Hope Designer’s challenge.  This year the theme is “A Message of Hope”. Here are the contest guidelines:

The bottle used must be any standard size bottle such as the ones used during chemotherapy treatment, insulin bottles, or any glass bottle 4 inches or smaller.

75% of the piece must be made with Fimo brand clay

All entries must be received by December 15, 2008.

Three award categories:

Best expression of hope, chosen by Lisa Pavleka and the Staedtler group.

Best of show, chosen by leading editors in the craft industry.

Peoples choice award, chosen from the attendees.

Each winner will get $250 for themselves and $500 donated to a cancer related charity or hospital of their choice.

The top four entries will receiving the most votes at CHA will receive a gift basket valued at $100 retail.

Get busy on your submissions, December always seems to sneak up on some people (like me) .

Good luck on everyone’s entries.

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Pottery Clay – DIY Divided Tapas Serving Platter with Illustrated Sections

Every good hostess knows a serving platter is the secret weapon at a party. It corrals snacks, makes everything look intentional, and saves you from running back and forth with little bowls. This DIY divided platter takes that idea one step further: each section is labeled with hand-drawn illustrations, making it both useful and irresistibly charming.

The original inspiration came from these  tapas-style platters, but we’re creating an English version featuring everyday snacks and nibbles. It’s fun, it’s functional, and it makes even store-bought crackers look Pinterest-worthy.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White ceramic clay (or air-dry clay if you don’t have access to a kiln) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Oval platter base template (downloadable below) 
  • Divider templates (downloadable below) 
  • Scoring tool + slip for joining clay 
  • Sponge and rib tool for smoothing 
  • Cobalt blue underglaze pencil OR blue underglaze with a fine brush 
  • Kiln + clear glaze (for ceramic clay) OR a food-safe sealant (for air-dry clay) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Shape the Base

Roll a slab of clay about ½ inch thick. Place the oval platter template on top and cut out your base. Smooth edges with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Add Dividers

Use the divider templates to cut strips of clay. Attach them to the base by scoring and slipping. Smooth joins and curve the edges slightly for a handmade look.

Step 3: Refine

Let the platter dry until it’s leather-hard. At this stage, you can tidy the walls, soften corners, and make sure the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Draw Your Illustrations

Here’s where the personality shines. Using an underglaze pencil or fine brush, sketch quick doodles into each section. Keep them loose and playful, not perfect. Our platter has:

  • Cheese – wedges with holey details 
  • Ham – loose stack of wavy slices 
  • Anchovies – three slim fish outlines 
  • Sardines – larger, striped fish drawings 
  • Salami – one log plus a few round slices with dotted speckles 
  • Olives – oval shapes with pits, some sliced open 
  • Tomatoes – little cluster of round tomatoes tied together 

Note: Drawings are slightly altered from the original for a fresh, unique design.

Step 5: Fire and Finish

  • For ceramic clay: bisque fire, add clear glaze, and glaze fire. 
  • For air-dry clay: allow to dry fully, then paint with a clear food-safe sealant if you’ll use it for food. Otherwise, it makes a perfect decorative tray.