Tutorial: Clay Tags and Knobs

I've wanted to do try my hand at clay knobs for a while. You've seen them, right? There are some really beautiful ones out there for sale and the makers do such a good job - but I'm on a tight budget and usually when I see a look I love - I first try to copy it. Here's what I've been up to today..

What do you think? I love them and I did knobs too. I'll get to that in a sec. Would you believe this is my first time with rubber stamps? No, I'm not joking! I bought a few a couple of weeks ago from stampinkitty with the intention of doing this very project. These tags are made from Polymer Clay and I got mine from artsygemini - first time with clay too! Let's get on with it!

Everything I did today started out as a little ball - well, first I pulled a chunk off of my brick of clay and then I made the ball. You really have to knead this stuff but it gets really pliable. It almost wants to be whatever you want it to be.

I did my knobs first because they were the real reason I started this. Roll your ball out to the size and thickness you think you'll need. (They MUST make tools for rolling this stuff but I didn't have any - use whatever you've got!)

 

Cover your knob with the clay this way - you don't need as much extra as I've obviously used here and in truth this knob didn't make the cut - but it was the only pic I took of this step. Anyway.. you get it. :)

You can do this two ways - knob to stamp or stamp to knob. I felt more comfortable bringing the knob to the stamp. Make sure you press a bit to get that lovely indent. (Some people stamp afterward and you can - but I like the impression of the stamp baked into the final look!)

Now, ain't that pretty! :)

I did my other knob the exact same way and I would have stopped there - but this is soooo much fun! So, I thought "on to tags!!". I don't have any tag shaped cutters or whatever they're called (lol) - and this tin lid was the closest thing I could find to the right shape. I rolled out some clay, pressed the lid down into it and cut off the excess.

I ran around my clay shape with a butter knife (lightly) just to smooth out the edges. I didn't get it perfect - but you can sand this clay after it dries. :)

 

Then I was ready to bake. Okay, I should have used parchment paper and I should have used a cookie sheet. Live and learn. I set my oven to 275 as that's what the Sculpey box told me to do. I let it preheat, and I stuck my pan inside. I was supposed to bake 15 mins for every 1/4 of an inch. Well.. after 15 mins the pieces didn't feel "done". They were still a little flexible so I kept baking.. and baking... and baking. 40 mins later I realized the pieces were darkening. I took them out and they were still flexible. I didn't trust my gut that the hardening would occur while cooling. :( I broke the clay off the knobs and started over - the tag I kept because it's not that bad - just sand colored. :)

I made a new tag and new knobs and couple of round tags for good measure. :) (I could have sat and done this all day!) Don't be like me - read up on your subject before you dive head first into it - that said, I'll always be the type to do first and read directions later.. lol.

But next time I'll:

Use parchment paper and a baking sheet.

Bake the clay at the time suggested on the box!

Buy some sweet cookie cutters to make this project even better.

I'd love to see if you do this so be sure and send me the link if you do. Thanks as always, for letting me share. xo

This is where I PARTY:

Monday
Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Monday 
Polly Want A Crafter? - Monday Craft Linky Party 
Keeping It Simple - Motivate Me Monday
Skip to My Lou - Made by You Mondays
A Diamond in the Stuff - Time to Shine
The Graphics Fairy - Brag Monday

Tuesday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday's Treasures
Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty
Vintage Wanna Bee - Talent Tuesday
Creating a House of Grace - Twice Owned Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya Got

Wednesday

Primp - Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays 
Sweet Peas and Bumble Bees - What I Made Wednesday
  Ginger Snap Crafts - Wow Me Wednesday
Someday Crafts - Whatever Goes Wednesday

Thursday

Beyond the Picket Fence

Shabby Chic Cottage
Delightful Order - Featuring You
Creations By Kara
Frugalicious Me
From My Front Porch To Yours - Treasure Hunt Thursday
Post Road Vintage - Linking up for LIVING. LIFE. LARGE. Party
The Vintage Farmhouse - Creative Things Thursday
 

Friday
Chic on a Shoestring
Home is Where My Story Begins
Fingerprints on the Fridge

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party
  Freckled Laundry
Remodelaholic - Anonymous

Saturday
Be Different, Act Normal
Remodelaholic

Sunday

I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop

And...