Be A Polymer Clay Pro!: 15 Projects & 20 + Skill- Building Techniques by Lauren Tomlinson

Transform your crafting skills with Be a Polymer Clay Pro!: 15 Projects & 20+ Skill-Building Techniques. In this comprehensive guide, seasoned clay artist Lauren Tomlinson will walk you through the fundamentals of working with polymer clay, a medium that is both forgiving and highly versatile.

Discover how to shape and bake your creations into stunning patterns, such as the trendy leopard print or elegant marble designs. But that’s not all – this book is packed with specialty techniques that will elevate your projects to the next level. Learn how to incorporate additional elements and finishes to make your creations truly stand out.

Thanks to the detailed instructions provided, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create custom colors, seamlessly blend paints, emboss intricate patterns, and so much more. Whether you’re looking to design unique jewelry pieces or add a touch of personality to your home decor, this all-in-one resource has got you covered.

With Be a Polymer Clay Pro!, you’ll become a master of this versatile medium and bring a fresh, distinctive flair to all your crafting endeavors. So why wait? Dive into the world of polymer clay and unlock your creative potential today.

Polymer Clay Tea Light Houses: A Home Decor Project by Lauren Tomlinson

Meet Lauren Tomlinson, a talented polymer clay artist and the author of “Be a Polymer Clay Pro.” In her book, she shares her extensive knowledge about polymer clay, provides various techniques, and guides readers through exciting projects. Today, we will explore one of those projects together: tea light houses. These charming home decor pieces are perfect for adorning your mantle during the holidays or year-round. Lauren’s main goal is to inspire and empower readers to let their creativity shine.

Lauren’s passion for polymer clay is evident as she has been working with it for over 20 years. She wants nothing more than to share the joy and satisfaction that comes from creating with this versatile medium. Her book encourages readers to progress in their skills and gain confidence in their artistic abilities.

One of the great things about Lauren’s tutorial is the flexibility it offers. You don’t have to follow every step exactly as she outlines. Feel free to experiment with different colors, patterns, and techniques. Mix and match to create your own unique style. Lauren wants readers to explore the endless possibilities that polymer clay presents.

Getting Started

To begin, gather your materials and roll out your white clay to a thickness of around three millimeters. Remember, for home decor projects like these tea light houses, a slightly thicker clay is preferable for added durability. Working on a piece of paper makes maneuvering and transferring the clay easier.

Using a house-shaped cutter or a paper template, cut out the front pieces of your houses. Feel free to get creative and play with different shapes by modifying the chimneys and roof pieces. Smooth out any rough edges for a polished look.

Next, it’s time to create the windows for your houses. Choose your desired shape, whether it’s long rectangles or any other shape you prefer. Position the windows on your houses, ensuring they don’t compromise the structural integrity of the pieces. It’s ideal to have one to two windows per house, as too many windows may weaken the structure.

Finishing Touches

Before baking the pieces, clean them thoroughly to remove any lint. Dipping a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and gently lifting off any lint will ensure a clean final result.

For the back pieces of the houses, use the bottom of the house cutter as a guide for the correct length. Trim the roof piece and adjust its size, making sure it can comfortably hold a tea light. You’ll need five of these back pieces.

Bake the pieces at 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius) for approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Once cooled, sand the pieces using a Dremel tool or an X-Acto Knife to achieve a polished and finished appearance. Sanding is crucial for achieving professional-looking results.

To achieve a strong bond between the front and back pieces, rough up two edges of each front piece using sandpaper. Alternatively, you can create hatch cross patterns using an X-Acto Knife. Apply a gel super glue to the roughed-up edges and attach them to the back pieces, ensuring they stand upright. Hold each piece steady until the glue sets, or brace them against a flat surface.

The Final Touch

After gluing all the pieces together, let them sit undisturbed for at least 24 hours to ensure the glue completely sets. These tea light houses are now ready to welcome their battery-operated candles, adding a cozy ambiance to any mantle or shelf.

Remember, polymer clay is flammable, so it’s crucial to use battery-operated candles rather than real flames to keep your creations safe. Feel free to experiment with different colors and variations of the tea light houses, making them uniquely yours.

Thank you for joining us in this tutorial by Lauren Tomlinson. We hope you enjoyed learning something new and feel inspired to try this project yourself. Happy crafting!