Polymer Clay

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The Anti-Valentine Necklace

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And, of course. if you’re utterly sick of Valentine’s Day – here’s just the piece for you! Roscata’s whole shop is full of quirky – and yes, a little twisted – awesomeness.

Comments

  1. Sorry, but that’s not quirky, and it’s certainly not awesome. It’s negative. Why would anyone want to wear a necklace with a message like this, or worse still, want to give it to someone? If you don’t like Valentine’s Day, or don’t like a particular person, that’s one thing. But to wear a pendant with the words ‘I Hate You’ on it??

    That’s not cool. That’s not quirky. That’s not awesome. It’s negative, and it’s hate-filled.

  2. I agree – there’s no need for all this negativity. Who’d want to wear a necklace that has something like that on it, anyway? It’s kinda twisted, really.

  3. This is just nasty. So when you are wearing this and you stop to speak to someone, this monstrosity is glaring back at them? No thanks.

  4. Hi JD, Sharon, Emma! I guess this becomes one of those pieces that’s each to their own taste! I didn’t see it as nasty but did swap it for one of the milder anti-valentine’s in there.

  5. I have to say that I agree with JD, Sharon and Emma completely, but also with Elaine to a lesser extent and on another point – taste and opinions are subjective…beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that.

    I just cannot see anyone – young or mature in age – actually wanting to wear this or even wanting to give it to anyone or, as Emma said, wanting to talk to someone who is wearing ‘I Hate You’ around their neck. Charming…NOT!

    I just wanted to add my two cents worth here, for what it’s worth, and suggest that when you wear or display a heart (either as a pendant, locket, bracelet, earrings, a ring on your finger, or on your clothing, etc.), it should represent something (or someone) you love or care a great deal for/have great affection for. That’s the whole point of the symbol of the heart in the first place, isn’t it?

    There’s too much hate and negativity in this world as it is. We need to have a little more love…actually, a LOT more love. For ourselves and for each other. Wearing a heart-shaped piece of jewelry with loving, affectionate messages is the way to go, and it’s still cool and it’s still awesome. And, with some added creativity and imagination, it can even be ‘quirky’ and ‘awesome.’ Love is always awesome.

    That ‘hate’ heart was the exact opposite of that.

    This new ‘Whatever’ message is definitely ‘milder,’ as you put it, and thanks for changing the image on the blog post. It’s apathetic, but at least it’s not hate-filled in theme and actual message.

    Thanks, JD, for speaking your mind. It may be only crafts we’re talking about here, but it speaks volumes about where our tastes and preferences are going, if that’s what a designer actually believes is a good thing to want to sell, or even wants to make and sell something this negative in the first place.

    Thanks!

Have you read?

DIY Sushi Bowls and Ceramic Chopsticks with Koi Wave Pottery Transfer Paper

If you’ve ever wanted to bring a touch of Japanese artistry to your tableware, this project is the perfect place to start. Using koi wave pottery transfer paper, you can transform plain clay pieces into elegant sushi bowls and matching ceramic chopsticks—handmade, functional, and beautiful.

This beginner-friendly guide will show you how to apply ceramic transfer sheets to create a set that looks store-bought but carries the warmth of handmade craftsmanship.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White stoneware or porcelain clay (cone 5–6 recommended) 
  • Koi wave ceramic pottery transfer paper (as shown above) 
  • Rolling pin or slab roller 
  • Bowl molds (small curved molds or slump molds for sushi bowls) 
  • Wooden chopstick dowels or ceramic chopstick molds 
  • Scissors 
  • Sponge or damp cloth 
  • Rib tool or rubber kidney 
  • Clear glaze 
  • Kiln

Step 1: Prepare Your Clay

  1. For the bowls – Roll out clay slabs about ¼ inch thick. Drape over a bowl mold or press into a slump mold to create your sushi bowl shape. Smooth edges with a damp sponge. 
  2. For the chopsticks – Roll clay into long, even strips (or press into chopstick molds if you have them). Aim for a slim, uniform thickness so they feel comfortable to hold. 

Let all pieces firm up to leather-hard stage—firm but still damp enough to accept transfers.

Step 2: Cut Out the Transfer Designs

Trim sections of the koi wave transfer paper to fit your pieces. For bowls, you can cut circular panels or strips depending on whether you want the design inside, outside, or both. For chopsticks, cut narrow strips of transfer paper that can wrap around each stick.

Tip: Think about placement—the flowing wave design looks especially striking when it wraps around curved surfaces.

Step 3: Apply the Transfer Paper

  1. Place the transfer sheet design-side down on the leather-hard clay. 
  2. Lightly dampen the back of the paper with a sponge until it darkens and sticks. 
  3. Smooth gently with a rib tool to ensure full contact. 
  4. Carefully peel back the paper to reveal the koi wave design. 

Repeat until all bowls and chopsticks are decorated.

Step 4: Dry and Bisque Fire

Allow all pieces to dry completely. Bisque fire according to your clay’s temperature guidelines (usually cone 04 for bisque). This firing will lock in the koi wave design.

Step 5: Glaze and Final Fire

Brush or dip in a clear glaze to seal the transfers, bringing out the rich blue detail while keeping the white clay background crisp. Fire to your glaze cone temperature (typically cone 5–6).

The Finished Set

You’ll have a handmade sushi set featuring:

  • Mini sushi bowls – perfect for soy sauce, dipping, or small side dishes. 
  • Matching ceramic chopsticks – elegant and reusable, finished with koi wave patterns. 

Tips

  • Keep chopsticks uniform in thickness so they balance well in use. 
  • Test the transfer on a scrap piece first to gauge how much water is needed. 
  • Try mixing placement—inside bowl only vs. outside vs. full wrap—for variety. 
  • Consider making a full set: 4 bowls + 4 pairs of chopsticks for a complete handmade sushi dining experience. 

This koi wave pattern brings both serenity and elegance to your handmade ceramics. The deep blue waves paired with koi fish designs make each piece feel timeless—perfect for special meals, gifting, or even selling as artisan tableware.

Creating your own sushi set allows you to blend functionality with artistry—every bite of sushi becomes part of a beautiful, handmade ritual.