Fimo and clay tips and tutorials
It’s time for a giveaway! I’ll be giving away the August 2009 issue of Polymer Cafe.
Leave a comment on this post telling us about one of your creative goals for the year, and I will draw a winner in one week on July 15. Good Luck!
(Be sure to include some form of email address so I will be able to contact you!)
[tags]polymer cafe, august issue, giveaway[/tags]
There’s something about sunflowers that just makes a house feel happier. Maybe it’s the colour, maybe it’s the fact they’re never trying to be perfect, or maybe it’s just that they remind me of slower afternoons when the kids were little and craft projects actually stayed on the table instead of migrating all over the house. Either way, this air-dry clay sunflower trinket dish has become one of my favourite “gentle crafts” – the kind you make with a cup of tea nearby and no pressure to rush.
This is not a precision project. In fact, the slightly uneven petals and hand-shaped edges are what make it lovely. If you’ve ever avoided clay because you thought it had to look professional or kiln-fired to be worth making, this project might just change your mind. It’s simple, forgiving, and genuinely useful once it’s finished.
This sunflower bowl works beautifully as a ring dish, bedside catch-all, or even a small decorative bowl on a hall table. It also makes a gorgeous handmade gift – especially for someone who appreciates things that look handmade rather than factory-perfect.
Start by kneading your air-dry clay until it’s soft and pliable. Roll it out on a smooth surface to around 5–6 mm thick. You want it thick enough to hold its shape, but not chunky.
Cut a rough circle for the base of your bowl. Don’t worry about perfect edges – you won’t see them once the petals are added.
Using your simple sunflower petal template, cut out enough petals to go around the edge of your base circle. Slight variations actually help the finished bowl look more natural, so don’t stress if they’re not identical.
Lightly smooth the edges with your fingers and gently pinch the tip of each petal to give it that sunflower shape.
Lightly score the edge of your clay base and the bottom of each petal with a toothpick. Press the petals around the edge, overlapping them slightly. Use your fingers to blend the joins so everything feels connected.
This part is quite therapeutic – I usually lose track of time here.
Using a toothpick or skewer, gently press fine lines into each petal to create natural-looking veins. Keep the pressure light and irregular.
For the centre of the sunflower, press small dots all over the middle area to mimic sunflower seeds. This texture really comes to life once painted.
Place the entire sunflower over an upside-down bowl to give it a gentle curve. Adjust the petals so they sit naturally and don’t fold in awkwardly.
Leave it to air-dry completely. This usually takes 24–48 hours depending on humidity. Turn it carefully halfway through drying so the base dries evenly.
Once fully dry, paint the petals with yellow acrylic paint. I like to add a touch of white to the edges for highlights and a slightly darker yellow near the base of each petal.
Paint the centre brown, then dry-brush a little lighter brown or white over the top to bring out the texture.
Let the paint dry thoroughly.
If you want a bit of extra durability, seal your trinket dish with a matte or satin sealer. This is especially useful if it’s going to live near a sink or get daily use.
Air-dry clay isn’t food-safe, so keep it for trinkets rather than snacks.
This is one of those crafts that looks impressive but doesn’t require special tools, expensive materials, or artistic confidence. It’s approachable, calming, and genuinely satisfying to finish in an afternoon. The end result feels personal and warm – exactly the kind of craft I keep coming back to.
If you’re looking for an easy air-dry clay project that feels cheerful and handmade in the best way, this sunflower trinket dish is a lovely place to start.
My creative goal is to learn more techniques and come up with a few of my own to share.
coltpixy.gmail
I have two goals for this year:
1. Make my beaded jewellery business a success.
2. Improve my skills in other crafts (e.g. sewing).
I want to start working with felt. It looks so easy and fun!
Thanks!
My creative goal this year is to make special treasures for special people.
Ironically given the giveaway, one of my creative goals is to master polymer clay since I can’t seem to get anything to look the way I want. I know time and patience are big keys to this so I have decided that this is my next goal to achieve.
My goal for this year is to play! I’ve been working at (emphasis on working) selling some pieces online and in a local shoppe, but I find myself relying on techniques and colors that I’m comfortable with just to GET IT DONE! I plan to make more time in this second half of 2009 to experiment and play and find more things that I can be comfortable with next year!
I think you are right; time to “play” more, at least until it is time to make gifts for Christmas!
This year a creative goal is to try a little more whimsical work, a little more sculpture. I’m hoping to tie that into my holiday lines.
just to cool
This years creative goal is to learn quilting and make to one! I’ve wanted to do this for a while but never had the time. Now I’m able to take up some of the crafts I want to learn. And ploymer clay’s one of them. Thanks for this giveaway.
My creative goals at the mid point of the year is to learn more about polymer clay and the possiblities with making beads. Also, to BE creative!
My goal for this year is to create as much art as I can. I have been dorment in my creativity due to small children. They are now 15, 10 and 7. This has given me a little me time to get back to my passion.
This year, my intention is to get a bit more “open” with my expression- alot of times I hold back, I think I’d like to let it flow- let out all of me, instead of just the traditional creations.
Become more crafty.
to make a polymer clay pendant that meets my rather stringent requirements as “good enough” to give as a gift. 🙂
My creative goal is to get in the studio EVERYDAY for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Not only would my creativity benefit, but so would my sanity!!!
My goal is to simply have fun at whatever I do, and currently that involves: steam punk, portraits, guitar lessons, knitting, book reviews, jewelry designs in clay, piano lessons, poetry, horseback riding and more…. =)
to start a business [email protected]
My creative goal for the summer is to make my little “studio” (spare room)more functional so I can access all those recyclable/upcyclable raw materials and work some magic!
My goal is to teach this year to children and adults. It’s time to share the fun!
Starting in July!
One of my creative goals this year is to design a quilted wallhanging.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
This looks great….I WANT IT….PLEASE?
My goal is to make several polymer tree ornaments of white snowmen or white artic foxes to put inside of box Christmas tree ornaments I made from my Christmas Cards I received last year. I want to give these to people in the Church I attend this Christmas when we exchange cards. See, alot of them will get their cards back in the form of a Christmas ornament, as well as an additional polymer clay ornament inside the recycled Christmas card box ornament.
My goal is just to work more with polymer to get better at my technique.
One of my goals this year is to learn to knit. That and create some of my own crochet patterns for a change.
My goal is to take the beads I’ve been collecting to a bead shop and learn how to attach the findings to make them into jewelry.
My goal for the year is to learn how to make my jewelery into a way to make some extra money.
My creative goal for this year is to master the art of stain glass. Have always been interested in this and am ready to try it.
I’ve put away my clay for awhile, and my goal is to get it back out! I want to create jewelry. I love the beads and buttons I’ve seen here!
My creative goal for this year is to get some ideas to make special items for gifts.
My creative goal for this year is to learn to can.
This year my creative goal is to create a scrapbook of my old pictures.
My goal is to improve my skill in working with polymer clay and to explore new designs.
My creative goal this year is to spend more time with my crafts and less in front of the TV!
I would like to sew more for my family and try to carve out more time for my other crafts.
My creative goal for the year is to develop more inexpensive but attractive packaging. Everyone likes to open their “present” when they order online, but it’s hard to keep prices low enough to compete and still make my goodies look pretty.
I want to learn more techniques and sharpen my skill.
My creative goals are to leran how to make decorative pillows and clothes for my granddaughter.
i would love to start doing crfts with my kids i just need some good ideas
My creative goal is to do new and interesting things with decoupage, including some decoupage jewelry!
My creative goal is to make a jewelry collection and be able to display it on QVC. Its a huge goal but I believe I can do it.
I would like to take on quilting for this year.