One of the cool perks of being a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! is that you get to check out products from the new catalogs before they come out.  Usually I get super excited about what I see, but I remember seeing the pressed clay when it came out and thinking:

”Huh.  I’m sure someone will think that is cool, but I can’t see myself ever using that stuff.”

But then my mom got some clay along with the molds and I decided to try making a flower… which turned into two flowers…. oh and a button, and maybe one more button…

Next thing I know, I’ve made a ton of clay items and ended up buying my own clay supplies.  

So, I had to share it with folks at a get together recently with this make & take:

So, we made a quick and simple white flower and then used the Bitty Butterfly Punch to create the leaves behind it.  Clever, huh?!

Card Supplies Used
Stamps:  Oh Hello
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate
Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: SU Pressed Clay, Flower & Buttons molds, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Tombow liquid glue

Now, if you are curious about the Pressed Clay or maybe you have some but are trying to figure out using it, here are some tips I’ve heard and learned along the way:

Tips for using the Pressed Clay

• Only use just enough clay to fill out the mold form – so no extra clay running over the edge of the mold.  Otherwise it will want to stick and not pop out easily
• I find I have an easier time getting the clay to pop out if I have let my clay sit out on my table for a little bit to dry out a little so it won’t be so tacky
• If you are having a hard time with a bit of clay not popping out of the mold, try using your Embossing Buddy on the inside of the mold or put the mold (with clay pressed inside) in the freezer for about 10 min and then try popping your shape out.
• Color your clay using one of these methods:
  • Add some drops of reinker to the clay and massage into the clay before pressing
  • Dab your ball of clay onto an ink pad to pick up some ink, then massage into the clay before pressing
  • Use marker to color your item after it has dried.  This is the most vibrant option.
• To get the button holes, press your clay into the mold and then press extra hard on the areas with the button holes until you can rub or scrape off the extra clay on top of the button hole pieces.
• After you have created your clay item, let it sit for a while (longer if you are in a humid climate).  They will never become hard like a resin or plastic embellishment but instead have more of the feeling of a harder foam that cannot be scraped or remolded after it dries.
• Adhere your finished embellishment using either dimensionals or the mono liquid glue.

And before I go, I just had to share the card that was my inspiration for the make & take project I shared above:

My mom created this card before her new catalog party and I thought it was just such a cute idea.  Plus I love how she used the 5-petal flower punch to create her leaves!

So, give clay a try and I’m sure you’ll have fun too!