How to blossom

How to Blossom

This is my first blog post for the 'At the Clayground' blog and I want to celebrate this by posting my first tutorial ever. Spring is in the air so we could use some matching jewelry, don't you? So let's make some blossom!




This is what you will need:

• Cotton or paper balls (in different sizes if you want to make the necklace)
• Sheet of clay (skinnerblend for the necklace)
• Aluminium foil
• Tissue blade
• Flexible textured paper like crepe paper
• Small pliers
• Headpins
• Beads, I used crystals for the necklace

Let's start!
Take your cotton balls and wrap them in aluminium foil, make a small tail. Wrap it as tight and smooth as possible without tearing the foil.

Place the cotton balls on your sheet of clay. If you want an ombre effect you should think about the place you want your cotton balls to go. Once you have the placement in order cut squares around them big enough to cover the ball.

Now let's make the blossom! Take a square and wrap the ball in it. The tail should stick out. Don't bother smoothing wrinkles this will make a flat result and will take away character. Take a tissue blade and cut around the ball to remove access clay.

Cut small triangles out of the edge around to make a pointy edge. 

Wrap the ball in paper like a candy. Wrap it tight, roll it between your fingers. Put some pressure on it, don't be gentle at this stage. Remove the paper. Take your tissue blade again and cut of the sharp points. Important! Make these cuts at an angle so the edge becomes really thin. Roll it for a second time like a candy, again with pressure, and remove the paper. Normally I'm satisfied with the result at this point but sometimes I decide to repeat the rolling process to make sure the edges become very thin. Now bake!  

Once the balls are baked and cooled down, cut off the tail and open up the aluminium just a little so you can see the inside. Soak the ball for a few seconds in water and remove the inside with small pliers or crochet needle.

Drill a hole in the bottom, I used a 1 mm drill. String a bead on a headpin and place it in the bead. String a small bead on the outside of the blossom and finish it off with a loop. Now you are ready to make some jewelry! 

I sure hope you have fun! And did you make some? Please show them, I would love that!

Please leave some feedback or ask your question by leaving a message. If you prefer e-mail me ldevriesmoot@gmail.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read my first blog post. Will post another one soon!