3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Polymer Clay Rosettes

Polymer Clay Rosettes
«
  • DSC_1335.JPG
  • DSC_0220.JPG
  • DSC_0221.JPG
  • DSC_0222.JPG
  • DSC_0223.JPG
  • DSC_0227.JPG
  • DSC_0224.JPG
  • DSC_0225.JPG
  • DSC_0226.JPG
  • DSC_0228.JPG
  • DSC_0230.JPG
  • DSC_0231.JPG
  • DSC_0232.JPG
  • DSC_0233.JPG
  • DSC_0234.JPG
  • DSC_0235.JPG
  • DSC_0236.JPG
  • DSC_0238.JPG
  • DSC_0239.JPG
  • DSC_0111.JPG
  • DSC_0112.JPG
  • DSC_0138.JPG
  • last photo ←
»
Using polymer clay and a few usual and unusual tools, you too can create beautiful sculptural rosettes.
What you need:
-Polymer Clay - any color works, though I like using white when I use alcohol inks for color
-Concentric circle cutters
-Light bulbs in various sizes
-Alcohol Inks for color - I like Ranger Inks (pigment powders, paint or markers work too)
-Awl (not pictured)
-Wire for connecting the rosette together (not pictured)

How to:
1. Roll out polymer clay to desired thickness (I find either 3 or 4 is the right mix of thick and thin)
2. Cut out at least three separate concentric circles. (You can always add more than three.)
Optional detail: Smoothing out the edges of the circle will give it a ruffley look. Sometimes, I add impression details to the rosette circles as well.

3. To shape the rosettes, take a corresponding circle cut-out and light bulb (large circle, large light bulb; small circle, small light bulb) . Dip the light bulb in a bit of water and place the polymer clay circle on the wetted bulb. With the palm of your cupped hand, rotate the circle back and forth to shape it around the light bulb. The water acts as a lubricant to assist the polymer clay in sliding.
4. Continue until all the circle are reshaped.
5. Using the awl, make a hole in the center of each cupped circle.
6. To create the rosette's center, make a ball, any size you would like. I usually add some kind of scoring detail.
7. Bake everything as directed by the manufacturer.
8. When the rosettes have cooled, you can begin adding color. Drop a small amount of alcohol inks onto a square of felt and proceed in coloring the white rosettes to your desired color
9. To assemble, wrap a piece of wire around the rosette center a few times, making sure to wind to two ends together on the base of the ball. Stack your concentric rosettes and feed the wired center through the holes.
10. This stack can be attached to a pin for a stunning accessory piece or attached to a canvas or board for sculpture wall art. The possibilities are endless!

Have fun!
3 comments
Sep 27, 2011. 5:39 AMPikes Peak Polymer Clay Guild says:
Lovely tutorial! Similar style to Ronna Sarvas Weltman's beads but I love how you've used the alcohol inks!

I look forward to sending members of our polymer guild over here to see it! Thanks for sharing it

Pikes Peak Polymer Clay Guild
http://pppcg.org/blog
Sep 24, 2011. 12:54 PMmstrunin says:
I have some polymer clay left over from a project and now I know what to do with it! The big group shot of the differently colored rosettes is fantastic and reminds me of my time in Botswana in the markets where everything is very brightly colored.
Sep 20, 2011. 4:05 PMscoochmaroo says:
I love this! This would make a great step-by-step tutorial too!

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
8
Followers
2
Author:amychristie(this heArt of mine)
Hello! I am a stay-at-home mom artist and blogger who dabbles in a little of everything: mixed media art, photography, home improvement projects, crafting, made from scratch cooking and baking, garden...
more »