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.