When I saw my first lace doily dish, I so wanted one, but mainly I wanted to make one. First I needed a pretty lace doily. You know those are hard to come by, so I got out thread and my tatting shuttles and made a couple of doilies (that took over a month). They turned out very pretty and were a great change from all the crocheting I have been doing. Then I got out my OLD polymer clay. I wasn’t worried. I know how to reconstitute or soften, dried out polymer clay. So after 4 weeks of preparations, I was finally able to get these dishes made, and this is how I did it.

Step 1:

Supplies:
Polymer clay (I used “Cernit Doll Collection” clay dated 2003, yes, it is old)
Rolling pin
Parchment paper
Knife
2 pieces, 12”x12” (30cm x 30cm) 100% cotton fabric
A lace doily (it was tatted and it took me over a week to make it)
A glass dish
Mini food chopper
Baby oil (also known as mineral oil with fragrance)
Dropper
Paint brush
Acrylic paints
Clear glossy spray sealer
Cloth rag (this will be thrown away when you are done)

Step 2:

Since I choose to use some really old clay, I needed to recondition it so that it would once again be flexible and soft. To do this I got out the mini good chopper that has been dedicated to the use of clay only.

Step 3:

I chopped up the clay into small pieces and placed it in the chopper bowl.

Step 4:

I secured the lid and proceeded to chop up the clay into tiny pieces.

Step 5:

Then I added a dropper of baby oil on top of the clay and ran the chopper for another couple of seconds.

Step 6:

Then I dumped the clay out on the counter top and proceeded to form a ball, kneading the clay with my hands. The warm of my hands helped to soften the clay. .

Step 7:

To further condition the clay, roll it into a long snake

Step 8:

and then reform it into a ball again. Repeat this process 3 more times. If it is still too stiff, add a little more oil. Try not to add too much oil, for it takes a lot of time to remove the extra oil. You can do so by placing the clay between two pieces of paper towel and waiting until the excess oil is absorbed by the paper

Step 9:

Preheat the oven to 265°F (130°C).

Lay out a piece of parchment paper, on it, flatten out the ball and use the rolling pin to flatten out the clay even further, until you are a flat surface around ¼ inch (6 mm) thick.

Step 10:

Place the doily on top of the clay.

Step 11:

Use the rolling pin to press the doily into the surface of the clay.

Step 12:

Carefully remove the doily and you will have the imprint of the doily left in the clay.

Step 13:

Find something round to use as a pattern and use to cut away the uneven edges of the dish.

Step 14:

Use the knife to cut away the extra clay and see how it looks.

Step 15:

Next, lay out a piece of 100% cotton fabric on top of the lacy side of the dish, using the parchment paper, turn the dish over on to the fabric. Carefully remove the parchment paper.

Step 16:

Cover the bottom of the dish with the other piece of fabric. Again turn it over onto the fabric.

Step 17:

You will want to make the dish with raised edges so it can be like a shallow bowl or a deep bowl (your choice).

Step 18:

Place the clay, still on the cloth, into the glass (or ceramic) dish of your choice and make it as smooth and centered as possible. Place the clay (dish and all) in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. When the 15 minutes are gone, turn off the oven and let the dish cool inside the oven. Once it is cool, remove the new dish using the fabric and then remove the fabric from the bottom of the dish

Step 19:

I wanted the lace doily imprint to be pop out, so I decided to use a ceramic painting technique called antiquing. I first covered the dish with a coat of a light colored acrylic paint. I let it dry completely (6+ hours).

Step 20:

Then I choose a darker color of acrylic paint and I thinned it with some water. Then I brushed some of the thinner paint over a small area of the dish,

Step 21:

and using the fabric rag, immediately wiped, a majority of the paint off, letting the lighter color show through. The dark color stays in the recesses (in this case the imprints from the doily), helping them to stand out more. If there is one area that is darker than the rest, just add more paint and rub a little harder to remove more. Do the front and the back of the dish. Let completely dry (1-2 hours).

Step 22:

Now to make your dish glossy, cover your work surface with newspaper or cardboard to protect it. Make sure your work area is well ventilated. Use a paper cup to raise your dish above the work surface and after shaking the can of clear gloss sealer really well, hold the can 12 inches (30cm), away from the dish and spray a light coat. Let dry for 15 minutes. Repeat with 3 more coats. When the dish surface is totally dry, turn over and seal the bottom.

Step 23:

These dishes are not for serving food. They are for decoration. They are not dishwasher safe, If cleaning is needed, you could wipe it down with a damp rag, and let it air dry. Place it on your dresser or some other surface, and keep the stuff from you pockets in it. The blue grey one is for my Mother for her birthday. I hope she likes it. Enjoy!