Spooning with Creative Paperclay®

I am seeing art spoons in a lot of art shows so I decided to create one. For my inspiration I used Caroline Douglas's spoon. She is a friend and wonderful ceramic sculptor from Boulder, CO. These are great for decor and gifts. When I meet my friends for lunch we all have little baggies of art stuff to share. This would be great for the next time we get together.

SUPPLIES

Plastic spoon
Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic paint
Acrylic paint pens
Stamps

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth. Pete Townshend
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spoon.html

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth. Pete Townshend
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spoon.html

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth. Pete Townshend
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spoon.html

I covered the spoon with Creative Paperclay® then stamped it for texture. I cast the head with a silicone mold and added a cast butterfly that I had done at an earlier date. It is so easy to add dry clay objects into the wet clay.

With Caroline's piece on the left for color inspiration, I painted mine with acrylics and made the checkerboard pattern and dots with my paint pens. Definitely a fun piece to create.

Dream in color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Add a Dash of Micro Beads

I love micro beads and mixing them with Creative Paperclay®. It is like adding jewels to my projects. And this trick is so easy.

SUPPLIES
Silicone mold
Polymer medium
Micro beads
Creative Paperclay®

Coat the mold with the polymer medium. While wet, sprinkle the beads evenly. Immediately press in the paper clay, remove and let dry.

Depending on the project I use the clay natural or color it ahead of time. Great for collage elements, ornaments or gifts.

Dream in color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Easy Color Tip!

I like adding color to my paper clay in the beginning as it saves me time. I wanted to make a series of blue buddhas for a piece that I am working on and I wanted them to have a marbled blue stone look. Sometimes we forget the simple ways to do things so here is a quick reminder tip for you.

SUPPLIES

Blue paint
Creative Paperclay®
Silicone mold
Latex gloves

I apply a dollop of blue paint in the center of a piece of Creative Paperclay® and commence folding the clay over and over again until it is the blue color. Definitely wear latex gloves as it can be a little messy. Once it is well mixed, you can take the gloves off. Now cast your objects.

Easy!

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Adding the Narrative with Creative Paperclay®

 As a narrative mixed media artist, I love the story telling elements that I can create with Creative Paperclay®. Most of my work starts out as abstract paintings until I start adding the narrative to it. This piece, Man on the Edge of a Big Decision, is one example. It takes so little to add a lot of impact.

SUPPLIES

Silicone mold
Creative Paperclay®
Stamp

I made my little man using a push mold made from a figurine and Creative Paperclay®. I prefer to clean up my edges when dry by using a dremel. However, you can trim the edges before it dries with an exacto knife.

Have fun with art & dream in color.

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Multiple choices with Creative Paperclay®

I decided to try and make a faux handmade paper with Creative Paperclay® and netting. Think of all the things you could do with this. It didn't end there. I cast a couple little men so I would have multiple options.
Here's what I got out of my experiments.

SUPPLIES

Netting
Creative Paperclay® slurry
Silicone mold of man
Gold Metallic acrylic paint
Soft gel gloss
Gold glitter
Ribbon
Small bag

I laid the netting on wax paper then applied the Creative Paperclay® slurry on top.

I laid another sheet of wax paper on top and brayered the slurry flat. I left the wax paper on until the slurry was almost dry.

Next I applied slurry into a silicone mold and left the slurry to dry in the mold.

Next, I painted both gold. There can never be enough gold and bling.

I applied soft gel gloss through a stencil then removed the stencil and added coarse glitter for a rich tapestry look.

Glue the cast man and a ribbon and you have a great gift tag, gift card or ???

Or make a pocket shrine for your man, maybe a Chinese fortune cookie fortune, herbs, etc. Then tuck it in your purse. Or gift to a girlfriend that is looking for a boyfriend or husband for luck!


Dream in Color

Darlene Olivia McElroy