Note: Condition all clay before use, starting with the
lightest colors first. Knead or roll through the pasta
machine until smooth and pliable.
Step 1
|
Roll a pinch of Metallic Silver Clay to 1/16" thick using the acrylic roller. Stamp with the pre-inked “Joy” Stamp. Trim the edges
to make a rectangular panel.
|
Step 2
|
Cut: 4", 6", and 12" lengths of Aluminum Wire Rod. Coil the smaller lengths and form the longer length into a heart by
hand (use pliers if needed). Start the heart by making a gentle bend at the middle to mark the bottom. Add a bead if desired
at this point. With one end, loop and bend outward to form a loop. Finish by bending a one and a half turn at the end to
form a coil. Finish the other end by mirroring the same bend and coil. Hammer the coils and heart against a metal or scrap
wood work surface until flattened.
|
Step 3
|
Roll out 1/4 block of Black clay to 1/16" thick with the clay roller. Place the clay sheet on the ceramic tile. Apply a small amount
of glue to the back of the heart and press down into the clay. Repeat this with the stamped “Joy panel. Gently glue and
press this piece just above the crossed wire at the bottom of the heart.
|
Step 4
|
Repeat Step 4 for the coils, using more clay if needed.
|
Step 5
|
Stipple the exposed Black clay background inside of the metal components using the ball tip stylus and tool ends from the
ArtEmboss® Tool set. Trim the excess clay from the outer edges of the metal components.
|
Step 6
|
Roll a 1/4" diameter snake of Black clay. Spray a small amount of automotive protectant spray on the snake and spread with
your fingers. Press the lubricated clay into the woven rope cavity of the border mold. Shave off raised clay using the
PolyBlade. Remove the molded clay and trim the edges.
|
Step 7
|
Bake all of the clay components on the ceramic tile for 30 minutes at 265°F (130°C).
|
Step 8
|
When the clay border is cool, pat Pearl Blue and Pewter Rub ‘n Buff® randomly over the raised surface of the border. Wipe
away with a tissue, leaving a light patina.
|
Step 9
|
Stamp the covers of the book with the Striped Tube stamp inked with the black stamp pad. Perfect coverage of the pattern
isn’t necessary for this step.
|
Step 10
|
Stipple Rub ‘n Buff® over the covers and the inside first page using Pearl Blue followed by Pewter.
|
Step 11
|
Apply black ink on the Love Letter stamp and imprint the inside first page over the dried Rub ‘n Buff®.
|
Step 12
|
Use scissors to cut a piece of ArtEmboss® metal sheeting to the outer dimensions of the hinged door. Working on top of
the pages of an open phone book, make swirl patterns in the embossing metal using the stylus from the ArtEmboss® Tool
Set. Antique the metal by spreading Ebony Rub ‘n Buff® into the crevices of the embossed pattern and lightly wipe away
excess with a tissue.
|
Step 13
|
Working on the open pages of the phone book, roll the embossing wheel over 2 feet of ArtEmboss® tape. Spread Ebony
Rub ‘n Buff® over the textured tape and lightly wipe away excess, leaving the recessed pattern antiqued. Peel away backing
and attach around the hinged door and around the top and bottom of the hinge on the left side. Make sure to apply leaving
a 1/16" overhang to wrap over the raised edges of the door and hinge.
|
Step 14
|
Mark the center of the hinged opening with a pencil. Glue the photo of your choice to over the center of the first inside
page using the Zip Dry glue. Peel off the adhesive backing of the textured and antiqued ArtEmboss® tape made in Step 13.
Apply around the outer edges of the photo to secure and embellish. Use scissors to trim.
|
Step 15
|
Apply brush strokes of Ebony Rub ‘n Buff® along the outer edges of the front and back covers using a flat brush. Repeat
this applying Pewter Rub ‘n Buff® slightly lower along the edges (leaving some of the Ebony color exposed) around both
covers.
|
Step 16
|
Use wire cutters or utility scissors to cut small and medium triangular “patches” from the WireForm® mesh.
|
Step 17
|
When the clay components are cool, use the Zip Dry Glue to attach the wire patches, clay/wire rod coils, heart, and border
as shown. Fill with memories!
|
Love Letter Book
Contact Us
