Creative Paperclay® Lover's Eye

My friends call me a mad art scientist because I love to experiment. In this case, I am using a Creative Paperclay® element as a Lover's Eye inside a cigar box that has been laser cut and etched then embellished. The embellished clay eye becomes the "sweet" spot in this piece of art.

SUPPLY LIST

Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic Paint
Alcohol Inks
Silicone Molds
Cigar Box
Metal Leaf
Pearls & Rhinestones
Glass Eye

 The Creative Paperclay® flower was dry brushed with a Titan Buff acrylic paint after a wash of Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold acrylic paint had dried. A glass eyeball was glued to the center then vintage pearls were glued around it.

The inspiration for this project was Lover's Eyes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy British and European lovers exchanged "eye miniatures" -- love tokens so clandestine that even now, in the majority of cases, it is impossible to identify their recipients or the people they depict.

Next I took a cigar box to the local makers space ( a makers space is a shared workshop and artist/artisan community.) These spaces throughout the country allow you to use 3D printers and laser cutters/etchers as well as many other techno tools. Often local junior colleges have these as well.

Before taking it in, I applied metal leaf to the box, sanded it and then worked out the design I planned to etch into it.

I laser cut the hole in the center and etched the floral design into the metal leaf box. I painted the etched flowers with alcohol inks then added the rhinestones and crosses. The inside of the box was painted black.
















I added my Creative Paperclay® eye by building up a backing to it and gluing it to the back of the box so the eye floated in the hole. A circle of rhinestones was added before I placed it in place.


Have fun. Dream in Color.

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Doll Up Bisque Ware with Creative Paperclay®

 I have kept my pencils in the bisque ware vase for years but decided it needed a facelift and what would be better than using Creative Paperclay® to jazz it up.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Bisque ware vase
Stamps & molds
Adhesive size
Metal leaf
Image transfer
After transferring an image onto the vase, I added stamped and molded Creative Paperclay® embellishments and let it dry.

The image transfer here was done with a toner image and Chartpak blender pen.

I then added a dirty wash to the surface. A dirty wash is the dirty water from cleaning your paintbrushes. It is a great way to add a hint of color.

I then applied an adhesive size for metal leaf onto the vase. I goes on white but when it becomes clear it is ready to apply the metal leaf. A large brush was used to remove the excess leaf. The inside was painted with a gold gesso. Great way to start the New Year is with a new look.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Shrine with Mica Flakes & Metal Leaf

I am researching info for an article and class on shrines. That inspired me to create one with Creative Paperclay®. I always roll out my clay between layers of wax paper and also let them dry on it. It won't warp this way. I texturized it with a homemade stamp.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Cast objects
Mica Flakes
Acrylic Paints
Stamps
Salt
Metal Leaf and Adhesive size

 I sprinkled the mica flakes on to the clay and rolled it in. The edges are left rough.

Next I stamped into the clay and added a cast Buddha. When dry, I sealed it with polymer medium.

A metallic gold wash was added. When dry a burnt umber stain was applied and the alphabet letters were added. The white liquid over the Buddha is adhesive size for the metal leaf. It goes on white. When it turns clear it is ready to use.

I applied the metal leaf and decided I wanted more on the top and bottom for balance. On the Buddha I added a burnt umber stain then I added a floater on the back so it can be hung on a wall with a bit of a shadow.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Bling Your Creative Paperclay® Project

The two things I love most are Creative Paperclay® collage elements and metal leaf. I have been using these for years and the best trick is color usage underneath the metal leaf.

Traditionally, red oxide paint is used under the gold colored metal leaf and a celedon green is used under the silver leaf. Copper looks great over a burnt umber but really pops when laid over a turquoise blue. The reason you pay attention to the underlying color is because it will show through if your coverage is not solid. These colors make the metal leaf look richer.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay® collage elements
Metal leaf (use your favorite color)
Water based adhesive size
A painting to work one
Soft gel or Modge Podge for glue
Golden's MSA varnish

Start with making your Creative Paperclay® collage elements. Fondant molds were used here to great my garden elements.

Since I am going to apply gold colored metal leaf, I painted the collage elements with a red oxide paint.

Next, I applied the water based adhesive size. This is a glue made for metal leaf. It goes on white and when it turns clear and it tacky to the touch, it is ready to apply the leaf.

Note: My students always ask if they could just use glue or Modge Podge and the answer is no. Neither of them get tacky. You can use spray adhesive as an alternative but in this case it would be more awkward to use.

When the adhesive size is clear and tacky, you can apply the metal leaf. Here I am using Simple Leaf which is a paper backed metal leaf and easier to use. I lay it over the object and rub it down onto the object. Repeat the process if you do not like the underlying color to show.

Apply a little soft gel or Modge Podge to the back of the element and glue down to your art. All metal leaf will tarnish except for the silver. I spray Golden's MSA varnish to prevent the tarnishing and to seal the surface.

Not only do the metal leafed collage elements add bling, they also add texture.

Dream in Color and Play all Day!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Golden Twitter (or should it be Tweet, Tweet, Tweet)

This technique actually reminds me of an old plaster technique. While cruising the web, I saw people creating beautiful work by carving into plaster and Creative Paperclay® and just had to try it. Since it has wonderful adhesive properties, I find it sticks well to most surfaces plus love how it takes paint. This piece has metal leaf, paint and deconstructed raised stencils.

 

Supplies

Creative Paperclay®

Clay carving tools

Acrylic paint

Wood Panel

I started with a wood panel that I applied clear gesso to. It wasn't necessary but since I didn't know if I was going leave the wood showing or not it seemed like a good thing to do. When dry, I sketched out my design.

At this time I added the paperclay to the surface, carving as I added more. When it dried, I finished it with paint, metal leaf and the stencils.

Thanks for letting me share this with you and visit me on my blog - darleneoliviamcelroy.blogspot.com.

Darlene