Better Homes & Gardens – Holiday Crafts 2019

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HolidayCrafts 2019 95

Clay Play

shown on page 90

MATERIALS

Oven-bake clay (such as Sculpey
brand): blue, tan, white
Clay-conditioning machine (such as
Amaco Craft Clay Machine)
Fondant roller with guide rings
(such as Wilton Fondant Roller)
Work mat (such as Sculpey Work ’n
Bake Clay Mat)
Holiday cookie cutters
Clay extruder (such as Walnut
Hollow Clay Extruder)
Crafts knife
Bamboo skewer
Narrow ribbon

MAKE A TEMPLATE

Break off pieces of clay and prepare the
clay using a clay-conditioning machine.
Using a fondant roller with guide rings, roll
out a uniformly thick piece of clay on the
work mat. Roll clay slightly larger than one
of the cookie cutters. Press cookie cutter
partially into clay to make a template;
remove cookie cutter.

ADD THE STRANDS

Break off and prepare pieces of desired

colors of clay. Roll the clay into small balls,

then fi ll the clay extruder with the balls.

Using a disk with several holes, extrude clay

into 12-inch-long strands.

Fold a strand in half, then carefully

twist the halves together with consistent

pressure (Photo 1). Fold and twist

remaining strands, twisting some to the

left and some to the right. Lay the twisted

strands side by side on the template,

alternating twist directions to make a

V pattern that resembles a knitted look

(Photo 2) if desired.

Cover the template with strands,

extending the strands past the impressed

template. Press the cookie cutter through

the twisted strands to cut out the shape;

remove excess clay.

Place a twisted strand around the outside

edge of the ornament; trim ends using

a crafts knife. Use a bamboo skewer to

poke a hanging hole through the top of

ornament (Photo 3) or form a hanging

loop with clay.

Bake the ornament according to clay

manufacturer’s instructions; let cool. Tie a

short length of ribbon through the hole to

hang the ornament.