Fun with PaperClay

My favorite incense burner broke recently…so I made a new one with Creative PaperClay from Alteredpages.com!

I also made a cute little dish to hold the jewelry I wear every day.

Using  Creative PaperClay  you can make one for yourself.  Just follow the package directions for drying time.  

It may take a couple days to complete this, but it will be totally worth it!  

Gather your supplies.  Grab a chunk of clay, wax paper, a rolling pin, cooking spray and a bowl or plate to use a guide for forming your clay bowl.  I have added a supply list at the end of this post. 

I am so sorry, but I was so excited to begin that I forgot to get a couple shots of this beginning part of the process.  

If you have ever rolled cookie dough then you know all there is to know.  

Roll your clay out between two sheets of wax paper.  

Roll it to about ¼ to ½ inch thick and in the desired size.  

I found keeping a misting or spray bottle of water near by to keep the clay wet really helps with the molding process. 

Turn your "guide" bowl or plate upside down and spray with a bit of cooking spray.  Lay your wet clay right on top and mold and shape as needed.  You can cut away any extra with a craft knife or kitchen knife.  Place your new creation in a safe place to dry where it won't get bumped.  And, now we wait.  

Here is my bowl once it is all dry.  This is the under side of it.  I wanted to show you the sanding process.  Use a fine grit sanding sponge found here and lightly sand your finished piece.  I covered mine with cling wrap as it dried and it got a really cool texture that almost resembled fabric.  So, I am going to keep a bit of that.  On the incense burner I sanded that completely smooth. 

To create the actual incense stick holder, roll and shape another little bit of clay and add it to the base of the dish while everything is still wet.  Then poke a little hole using the incense stick to get the perfect size.  And, set it to dry overnight. 

Here is my incense burner after sanding and with a few coats of gold acrylic paint.  I also added a few coats of satin clear coat sealer from Dixie Belle Paints. 

I am really pleased with how this turned out.  

I am still deciding on how I will complete the bowl.  

I think decoupaging it with some beautiful Asian inspired papers would be perfect.  

Now, to decide on which one.  ;-) 

Thanks for joining me!

Stephanie S. for Altered Pages

Craft paint
Asian paper assortment
Satin clear coat sealer
Paperclay
Rolling pin
Wax paper
Cooking spray
Craft knife