Explore several ways to decorate paper mache letters and spell CREATE in rainbow colors. Today’s posting, a follow-up to Part 1, will cover ways to embellish the A-T-E of CREATE with the Green – Blue – Purple colors of the rainbow.
Last week in Part 1, I used decoupage, English Paper Piecing, metallic tape, and stickers to embellish the C-R-E of CREATE. Painting the paper mache letters with Color Shift paints was also discussed. Today’s posting will demonstrate the use of polymer clay, buttons, and crocheted yarn to cover the lower 2/3 of each of the remaining letters.
Green “E”
A Pinterest search for polymer clay ideas led me to several tutorials on the Mokume Gane technique – based on an ancient method of metal working from Japan.
Here are the supplies I used:
- PA Paper Mache 8 in. Letter A
- Plaid FolkArt Color Shift Paint Green Flash
- Foam brush – for painting large areas of the letter
- Small paint brush – for detail work next to the clay
- Polymer clay in black, and three shades of green
- Sculpey Clay Tools Super Slicer
- Sculpey Clay Tools Starter Set
- Sculpey Clay Tolls Acrylic Roller 8 in.
- Gloves – optional
- Masking tape – optional
I purchased three colors of green polymer clay but they did not have enough contrast. I made the dark green darker by mixing 2 parts green with 1 part black to produce the darkest green seen above. The medium green clay I purchased in a local craft store was so dry and crumbly I could not use it, so I mixed 2 parts light green with 1 part of the dark green I had purchased to make a medium green. I used my clay roller to make a thin rectangle of each color.
After layering the clay dark-medium-light, I cut the stack with a straight cutting blade into three equal parts and pressed them together.
I used my clay tools and wavy blade to poke and cut through all the layers – without cutting through completely. Note: I was working on the back side of a cutting mat which was less than ideal due to its porous, matte surface. Clay stained and stuck to the mat. A better option might be a Sculpey Clay Tool Work ‘N Bake Clay Mat or a smooth ceramic tile.
The stacks were compressed together by applying pressure with my hands from the sides.
I used a rigid blade to carefully cut very thin horizontal slices…
and arranged them on the unpainted letter.
After placing the letter in a foil tray and covering it with another foil tray for a lid, I baked it for 15 minutes at 275 degrees.
The larger exposed area of the paper mache was easily painted with a foam brush. I hoped masking tape would make painting close to the clay easier, but it did not. It was messy to remove and was not necessary – careful use of a small paint brush was sufficient.
The surface was a bit uneven, but okay for a first effort at makume gane. With practice, I think I will enjoy making jewelry with this technique.
Blue “T”
Now, for something simple – buttons for the blue “T”.
Here are the supplies I used:
-
- PA Paper Mache 8 in. Letter T
- Plaid FolkArt Color Shift Paint Blue Flash
- Two foam brushes – for painting and glue
- Blue buttons
- Tacky Glue
After glueing blue buttons from my button jar to the lower 2/3 of the letter, I realized there was not enough color contrast to make it visually interesting. I substituted some lighter blue buttons from a jar of Buttons Galore 28 Lilac Lane Embellishment Bottle Winter Blues and liked the result better.
Purple “E”
My original thought for the purple “E” was to add a design with rubber stamps, embossing powder and ink, and hot fix sequins but decided the result would not be consistent with the other letters. So, I decided to crochet a cover.
Here are the supplies I used:
- PA Paper Mache 8 in. Letter E
- Plaid FolkArt Color Shift Paint Purple Flash
- Foam brushes – for paint and glue
- Tacky Glue
- Crochet hook size I-9
- Yarn needle
- Red Heart Soft Yarn 204 yd. #9940 Plummy
I didn’t really know what I was doing, so it is difficult to write instructions. I used a single crochet stitch to crochet rows long enough to cover each arm of the “E” and the side, then sewed them together with a yarn needle. I kept laying the pieces on the letter to know when to add or subtract stitches to wrap around the side and ends. I did crochet a piece for the lower arm that covered the bottom. That made this letter taller than the other letters, so I unraveled some. I used a foam brush and Tacky Glue to adhere the crocheted unit to the letter. The light on the letter shows how the Color Shift paint glows with metallic luminescence!
When finished, I realized I had made an “E” cozy (I crack myself up sometimes!)
What did I learn from embellishing these three letters?
- I want a pasta machine for rolling clay thin.
- It is good to have some color contrast among your buttons.
- Glue and yarn are a messy combination.
We would love to hear from you about methods you would use to cover paper mache letters or see pictures of your projects – please add them to the comment box below.
