Here is an arty 'three day to make' gift idea.
Using airdry clay, and dry flowers.
The hanger only takes half an hour to create.
Plus drying time.
Plus painting time if you choose to do this.
The drying process of the clay can be quickened by placing the wall hanging on a flat tray and put into an oven that's been heated to about 50 degrees celsius (about 122 degrees Fahrenheit) for an hour.
To Make:
Airdry clay (I used Jovi brand - 500 grams (1.1 lb)
Rolling pin and a metal tablespoon
Dried flowers, grasses, leaves, twigs
Acrylic paint
A flat head nail or a straw
Twine or ribbon
Step1:
Roll out the airdry clay into an oval shape about 1cm thick.
Do this on a sheet of baking paper so it won't stick to your work surface.
(I should have done this, but a thin metal spatula lifted it carefully off the wood table at Step 5)
Smooth top with a metal spoon.
Step 2:
Place an arrangement of flowers onto the clay.
Step 3:
Using the rolling pin gently roll and press the flowers, etc down.
Then carefully lift the flowers off the clay to reveal the imprint design.
Step 4:
Pinch the outer edge of the clay like you would a pie edge.
Step 5:
Place two holes as shown using the flat head nail or a straw.
Place on a flat tray.
Leave for at least three days to dry.
Step 6:
At this stage, you can add paint to your hanger.
Or you can just leave it as is in its natural form.
I have used the following liquid paints:
Golden Liquid Acrylic in Aqua
Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic in Galactic Blue
Liquitex ink in gold.
But you can use any colour combinations you choose.
With a brush paint the details of the flora impression.
I love this beautiful aqua colour.
I added gold and a little darker blue.
Then a border of the aqua, and on the edge of the plaque some gold.
Step 7:
Attach a rope, ribbon or wire hanger through the holes to hang on a wall.
Step 8:
Hang it in your home or gift.
I added a little bunch of 'Bunny Tails' to cover the wall hook.
And that just adds a little touch of whimsy.
More about 'Bunny Tails' - Lagurus ovatus:
Bunny Tails are my favourite small grass.
It's also known as Hare's Tail Grass.
The seed heads are soft and fluffy, just like a rabbit's cottontail.
It's an annual grass and grows wild on many beaches in New Zealand over the summer months.
It's native to the Mediterranean.
The seed heads are wonderful in vases and are easily dried, displayed in their natural colour, or dyed any colour you want.
The dried fluffy seed head lasts months to years, as they don't
open to release seeds.
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Visit my 'Saatchi Art & Photography' store HERE
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