Silk Clay

by Birgit Edblom

Create embellishments out of silk clay, a self-hardening modeling mass.

Supplies

White silk clay
Cookie cutter, cake tins or other shapes
Rolling pin
Stamps
Inks
Blending tool
Awl

Step-by-Step

Step 1

You can shape the clay in different ways. Use a small rolling pin or your hands.
Step 2

Use a cookie cutter or other shapes (a glass for example) to create the form of your decoration
Step 3

You can stamp with or without ink on the clay. It´s possible to color the clay with watercolors or alcohol based markers.
Step 4 (Optional)

Make a hole in the shape with an awl if you want to add a twine or ribbon.
Step 5 (Optional)

You can also create different miniatures or figures with your hands. Use any stamp and color it!
Step 5 (Optional)

Let the Silk Clay dry for a couple of hours before you place it on your project! You can use glue or 3D foam to fasten it.

Video!

Variations

Use your imagination and create! On this card I did some petals to create a flower.

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Silk Clay. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

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Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

Thank you so much, Birgit! I've always wondered how you did the beautiful pots and vases on your cards. And thanks, Linda, for telling us about the Lumina product - I'll look for it and give it a try.

Susan Bridgman | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 11:32 AM

The Lumina is on sale right now at Joann's for about $2 off. However, the Lumina is translucent and I don't think that's what I want on my card. I'd prefer a white or cream, I think.

Sue Speck | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 12:07 PM

Several kinds of air dry clay are available at Michaels. They would all work well for this technique. They all dry quite light which is what you want for a card. Polymer clay can get too heavy for a card front so you may not want to use it for card making unless your pieces are very small or thin. Make sure if you wish to store this clay that you use a very air tight container. Vacuum sealing would be best if you have one. Mine was in a Tupperware style container inside the original

Rebecca Ednie | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 2:05 PM

Oops, hit send too soon.

... Supposedly 'resealable' packaging and it still dried out. Granted it was stored for a long time but I was still disappointed. I found it coloured well with water colour paint, acrylic paint both full strength and thinned to a wash consistency and markers as well as pearl ex and rub on metallic paste. I didn't have Copics then but be careful of clogging your tip, not sure if it will or not. You could scribble ink onto a palette and apply with ink nibs by Ranger or any other applicator you'd like. I haven't thought of using this for years but next time I'm at my LSS I'll pick some up (with a coupon, not cheap, about $12 but a little goes a long way).

Rebecca Ednie | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 2:12 PM

Hey every one from the sounds of it the silk clay is just like crayola modling clay

Darlene Kinnear | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 2:30 PM

I have been making frames for my mini albums and they could easily go on cards. I bought it at Hobby Lobby and I saw a different brand at Michaels. The one I bought is White Hearty Super Lightweight modeling clay. Regular price at HL is $9.99 and I bought a 4 line mold also for making decorative strips. This stuff is great, dries in hours and is opaque and you can color it or even pre-color it and it is acid free.

Grace Shaw | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 2:41 PM

So beautiful!!!

Samnang | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 4:45 PM

Birgit, thanks so much for this tutorial. I have long admired your clay creations and wondered how you made them. I really appreciate this tutorial.--Lorie aka MelodyGal

Lorie McMullen | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Perhaps the pottery wheel clay for the kids wheel would work. You air dry it and it can be painted as well. Might have to try it. I am sure there must be something that would work.

Jill | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 5:04 PM

I've used "Paper Clay" before, but be careful if you are mailing a card/project, as it will crack or break. Put it in a box or special packaging.

StampinCatMom | Wed Jan 18, 2012 at 8:26 PM

I have used a crayola product that works just like the descriptions for SILK CLAY..it's readily available at Michael's and it I comes in small quantities in a variety of colors...called MODEL MAGIC and it is a form of paper clay. The hard part is not letting it dry out. Any suggestions as to what to store it in? Zippy bags won't work!

Kath Harney | Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 6:27 AM

Thanks Birgit for an awesome tutorial. I have always loved your silk clay creation, actually ALL your gorgeous cards. Looks like Lumina Clay from Joanne's would be the best to try. TFS

nancy littrell | Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 10:12 PM

Regarding keeping the paper clay stored properly, if you have a food sealing machine, that would probably work as it pulls out all of the air. Some machines provide solid containters that you can use (instead of plastic) so you're not wasting your expensive plastic. There are also sealable baggies made especially for these machines. It's an option.

Sherry Y | Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 2:12 PM

It sounds like using paperclay would give the same results... Does anyone else agree or has tried it?

Vicky | Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 4:18 PM

I agree, Sherry Y, as would just about any air-dry clay. The last stuff I used took forever to dry, but the left-over stuff is still pliable, unlike the first go-round that dried quickly on my project, but was not recommended to to saved and I found out why weeks later---it had al dried out dispute my best efforts. Good luck!

Jeanne Johannes | Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 4:31 PM

Crayola Model Magic will work too. Available at Michael's.

Beth | Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 5:44 PM

Can hardly wait to try this!

Jeanne | Sat Jan 21, 2012 at 9:08 AM

I love the petals on the flower!

Dawni | Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 6:41 PM

This is awesome Brigit. Thanks for sharing. I believe from your description the silk clay you use would be just like Crayola's Model Magic. I'll have to get some and try this. I just love all of the projects you make with it. Inspirational!

Beverly | Mon Jan 30, 2012 at 4:18 AM

That's cleared my thoughts. Thanks for conrbtiuting.

Karess | Mon Jan 30, 2012 at 1:36 PM

Page 2 of 3 pages < 1 2 3 >

Silk Clay

by Birgit Edblom

Supplies

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4 (Optional)

Step 5 (Optional)

Step 5 (Optional)

Video!

Variations

Your Turn

Questions and Comments

The Author

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