I broke a wine glass tonight. I don't know how I managed it but I did. I was trying to get out a Pyrex dish from the bottom shelf and the wine glass was on the middle shelf. I didn't even touch it! I lightly rocked the cabinet getting out the dish and SNAP! The stem separated from the bowl. Now what to do? I hate to throw anything out and I always convince myself it can be used for something (and in most cases this is true). I did what any resourceful woman would do- I went to the craft box. Now there are certain things that should always be in a carft box, but I just added a new product the other day, and have been dying for a reason to try it out. Now was my chance.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay. What a miracle! I have always wanted to do my own pottery but had no desire to pay for a class let alone the give up some spare time to devote to such a luxury. This was the compromise I was looking for. I spent an hour with an old board, the wine glass pieces, the container of clay and a bowl full of water. It was messy but fun (despite the injury to the hand- I'm a bit of a klutz and forgot I was working with broken glass. Don't make the same mistake!). I created a flower vase with a thick clay base and a vine twisting around the glass. I made a few clay leaves and attached them. The bowl of water is for dipping your fingers in to connect the pieces seamlessly. It will take 2-3 days for it to fully dry, but when it does, I think I will paint it, again dipping into my craft box for some color choices. and Voila! A recycled broken wine glass and a new little addition to my vase collection.
The clay cost me about $7 at Michael's. If you aren't already, I suggest signing up for Michael's emails for coupons, then you get it even cheaper. Another bonus of shopping this craft store? Your receipt has another coupon on it. I now get 50% another item the next time I go in! So worth it!
You don't have to wait for a broken wine glass to get to work with this amazing product. Anything around the house you don't use anymore or use it on its own to make something fun with your kids or a unique gift for the next birthday or holiday coming up.
Here are some suggested ways to decorate this new canvas:
~ Use lace to imprint a sweet texture to a smooth clay surface
~ Use rubber stamps to imprint images or letters into the clay
~ Have a stock of acrylic paints in you craft box- a variety of colors is always useful and cheap- use these paints a cheap paint brush to put some color on your project. I love metallic to add a little class.
~ An exacto knife will help "score" the clay to write in it or carve designs into it
~ Buy different colors of other clays to add deep color. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm wondering what a little coloring added to the white mix I bought will look like. Do you think it will work? Only one way to find out! I'll let you know how it goes!
~ Buttons, beads, ribbon, or other notions can be pressed in or attached on to it to add a different texture and focus feature.
Happy crafting, everyone! I hope you have as mush fun with this easy-to-use clay! Pictures to come of my project and how the coloring science experience goes!
Oh, and P.S.- I get to sleep next to the biggest hunk in the world! (In tribute to my handsome fiance- I love you!)
No comments:
Post a Comment