February 18, 2015

Clay Succulent Planters


Hello dear friends! We've spent this month in LA and man oh man is SoCal amazing in January- especially compared to Utah! lol I know many of us are friends on social so we already keep in touch, but we have been working on my Weatherwood business like crazy! I want to tell you my great business update buy I'm sworn to secrecy for a few more months. I can hint though! There's a super, duper famous, A list actor and he's doing his new Malibu house with Weatherwood! *Gasp *Scream Obviously Zack and I grabbed hands and jumped up and down like teenagers. This is even funnier if you'd net Zack in real life- being over 6 foot and a former Marine!
Needless to say- the business is moving right along. I will be back in a week or two with an update post- but for now I'm talking about the cutest little clay planter this side of the Miss-iss-ippi!


This little craft takes no longer than an afternoon- and the longest part is the dry time! I think they look like a little succulent home and castle tower, but that's just me. 

Materials:

  1. Clay- Sculpey Polymer Clay, White is best if you're planning to water these plants! Crayola Air Dry Clay, White would be alright if you place a liner inside your clay creation and put the plant in that.
  2. Rolling Pin - non wood is best
  3. Craft Knife or Fettling Knife
  4. Stuff to plant- succulents, liners, planting soil etc.

Directions



[1] Roll out your clay- smooth of wrinkles and gauges and even in height. I obviously learned this the hard way. Take my advice- get it right at the beginning.



[2] Use a Craft Knife or Fettling Knife to cut out your shapes. You could use a kitchen knife, or pizza cutter if you're in a bind, but these other tools are the same width throughout and will not smoosh the clay when they cut, giving you nice, clean cuts. 


3. Start forming the basic shape you've created- whatever you decide on. Do not try to push the clay pieces together. Simply wet the edge where you want them to join and lightly attach.


 Then reinforce them by placing objects beside for strength. Try to keep the pieces from wobbling or sagging when they dry- this will help your end product a ton! My house dried a little wonky- if I would have reinforced it better this could have been avoided - although it does add character- right?


[4] Wherever you have to edges meet you want to reinforce them with extra clay. Cut some slivers that you will use to reinforce the joints. Use wet fingertips to push these thin pieces into the corners.


[5] Allow your planters to air dry. Once they are you can sand out any flaws. This helped my poor little planters tremendously! They would have been pretty wrinkled and wonky if I hadn't taken the time to clean them up. Sanding was best accomplished with a block because the clay is soft and your fingers will press down unevenly in places.


There was a HUGE difference after sanding. If you scroll you'll see it's a major change before and after sanding.


I used the block to even out all the straight sides. I think it made the adjoining pieces less noticeable as well. 


What do you think?
Ok- Now it's time for your items to bake or dry. Follow the directions on the type of clay you've purchased.



I actually made these clay cuties 9-10 months ago and they've held up super well over time. I do think it's worth it to pay a little more for the Sculpey clay because I'm sketched out with air dry and something that involves water.
Don't forget to link up your latest at The Handmade Hangout tomorrow at 3pm EST!


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