Make a Sweet May Basket

Traditionally, May baskets are left on doorsteps or hung on door knobs on May first, but this May basket filled with goodies could be a sweet treat for Mother's Day or any time!

To create the basket you will need:

Creative Paperclay® modeling material
plastic snack container
paper bag
plastic wrap
rolling pin
masking tape
scissors
craft knife
acrylic paints
varnish

First create the form for your basket as follows -

Cut a strip of paper bag about 3 inches wide and long enough to go around the snack container with some overlap.  Fold the long edge of the strip down far enough to fill the rim of the space between the top of the snack container and the "lip" that the lid snaps on to.   Continue folding the strip over until it is thick enough to be flush with the lip of the container.  (If it starts to get too wide from folding, use a fan fold for the remainder).  Attach the paper strip to the top of the container with masking tape.

Cut a second strip of paper about 2 1/2 times the height of the container and long enough to go around twice.  Fold the long edge of the strip down about 1" wrap the strip around the container twice, taping the folded edge flush with the edge of the container, over the thin strip you applied in step 1.  Make a cut from the top edge of the strip to about half way down the container, about every inch along the strip as shown.

Fold the outer layer of strips outward, and roll/fold and tuck the inner layer into the space where the edge of the container slants towards the bottom.

After all the inner strips are folded in, fold one of the outer strips towards the center of the container and trim just slightly longer than the length to the center.  Trim the rest of the outer strips to approximately the same length, then fold and tape the strips to the center all the way around, pulling them taught over the inner strips, and overlapping and smoothing the outer strips as you go.  Trim strips if necessary to avoid large bumps or hard edges.

When all of the strips are folded down and taped, add a layer of plastic wrap and set the completed form aside.

Next roll out a layer of clay to 1/8" thickness or less.  Cut the clay into 3/8" strips, then cover the strips with plastic wrap to keep them pliable as you work. You'll need about 20 strips, 10" long.
Place the form upside down on the work surface and wrap the first strip of clay around the bottom.   Trim off the excess and smooth the seam.

Next lay one strip across the the width of the form in the center, and the next strip over top of that one, making a cross in the center of the form.  Lay one strip on each side of the center cross.

Fold back one side of the cross and lay another strip lengthwise, then lay the strip back down over that one to to create the weave pattern.  Lift the other side of the strip and repeat the process.  Continue alternating the pattern (next time you will be lifting the two long strips, etc.).  When you come to the edges of the container, adjust the strips if necessary to insure that you will be able to complete an over/under wrap around the container - you should have an odd number of strips in each direction.  In my case, 5 strips for the long side, and 7 for the short side.  Use the remaining strips to go completely around the container, lifting the strips in an over/under pattern and alternating the pattern for the next row.

Set the basket aside to dry.  When the clay is dry, carefully remove the form, then remove wrapping from the plastic container.  Put this back in the form, use fresh clay to fill in the spaces around the weaving, and add a strip to the top edge, but make sure you leave enough room around the edges to be able to remove the plastic later for cleaning.

Allow the clay to dry again.  Remove plastic insert, then paint and varnish the clay as desired.

Replace the plastic and fill with goodies!!!  Give it to someone you love.

Thanks for joining me here again!

Find me on Facebook, or peruse & ponder pics with me on Pinterest

Peep Easter Basket, by Diane MacNaughtan

Hello creative friends,
 Diane here with a fun Spring / Easter project! I was so excited to jump into Spring creating and this little Peep basket got me even more excited for the warmer weather, green grasses and the sweet smell of flowers.

Remembering my childhood years at Easter time always makes me smile.  One year in particular, I received a little chick basket. I loved that basket and after the candy was devoured, I kept my little treasures in it.
 So, I was inspired to create a few Peep baskets this year in hopes to bring a little bit of happy to other little ones and older ones..

This was very easy to create.. It may look like many steps, but I wanted many pics. This is a great project to do multiples at a time.
If you want a larger view, click on the pictures.

Here's the supply list

1. creative paperclay
2. 4" paper Mache egg ( Hobby Lobby, Michaels)
3.tin foil
4. crepe paper, ribbon
5. pipe cleaner 
6. Paint; FolkArt-Raw Sienna,Straw, Pueblo.  Apple barrel-Whit,Black,Pale Daffodil
7. Matte Varnish or Polyurethane spray sealer
8.measuring tape
9.colored pencil
10.paint brushes and water
11.sculpting tools, straight pin
12. sharp knife or xacto
13. needle and thread
14.artist chalk or pastels
15. Candy for your basket
16, glitter (optional)


Let's get started!!!!

1. The Armature 
   With tin foil, I made a neck 1/2" tall. Then a ball about 11/2"             round. 
    Next, take your paper mache' egg and cut out a section to create       your basket. This is how you do it..The section to cut out is 21/2"     wide at the top, 2"          in length, and 11/2" at the bottom. Mark     and cut with sharp knife    or Xacto. 

 
 With the paper mache piece you cut out, cut length wise right           down the middle. 
Now you will have 2 pieces. The slightly long curved side will be     the top of your wing. you want to cut the bottom corner off, like       shown in the middle pic. Now set the wings aside for a moment.

Next, at the wide end of your egg mark a dot and one dot for the     opposite side. Pierce with the point of the xacto or sharp Knife.                                                            
    

Using hot glue, attach the neck to the wide part of the egg, then the tin foil ball to the top of the neck.

2. Adding Clay  
    Roll your clay out. Wet your egg and cover the paper mache             egg. Press and move the clay adding more if needed, then smooth     out.

Cut a 11/2" round cardboard disc and place it at the bottom of the basket. Turn your basket right side up and move disc around until you like the way the basket is sitting, then turn it back over,cover with clay and smooth. Using a little water as needed.

3. Facial Features
 Cover the head and neck with clay and blend into the body.
 Roll out 2 little balls for the cheeks add to the face and smooth in.  Then repeat for the chin, using a smaller ball of clay. Smooth to    make a nice contour.

Now that the little face is shaped we will  put in the features starting with the eye sockets.
With a flat sculpting tool, push the flat tip down at the top of the cheek, then press  in, and pull upward.
Then in the center of the socket you just made, use your ball tool, wet it then make a eye by pressing in making a circular motion.

The beak and eyebrows are next.. Take a piece of clay and form a triangle. Wet the end and position on the face, then blend the beak into the face. 
With a straight pin, draw a couple of eyebrows into the clay, then move down to the beak. Add your lines to make a smile and bring a line right around the beak. Take your flat tool and just kinda work the beak open a bit. Use your paint brush and water to smooth the lines and open the beak up more and define it.

To create a little tuft of hair take a piece of clay and pinch it into a little triangle,blend in and shape with your wet brush.

Before we go any further we need to give the little peep some baking time. Place the little fellow in the oven at 175 degrees for about 1/2 hour. Just enough to dry the face a bit so you don't mess up your masterpiece while going to the next step.

4. Giving it wings
Roll out your clay and cover the wings. Add water to the chicks body where the wings will be placed. Attach, adding clay if needed. blend in to body ,smooth out. 
Using the straight pin, add lines, follow up by smoothing the lines with a wet paintbrush.

Create the rim of the basket by rolling a long snake. Wet around the opening of basket with water and apply your clay. Wet the clay you just added and press gently to adhere. The top of the zigzag towards the basket opening, roll just the tip of the clay zigzag over and onto the inside of the basket to make sure it adheres well. You can define your basket rim with your wet brush.

Return the Peep Basket to the 175 degree oven for about an hour or until thoroughly dry.

5. Painting the Basket
Ready to paint! I wanted my peep baskets to have the vintage look, so I gave it a light sanding, then gave it two good coats of Raw Sienna, I also did the inside of the basket.
Then I applied Straw by FolkArt over the entire basket. I applied this using the dry brush technique, though I didn't dry my brush to much, leaving  just a bit of paint on the brush . The idea is to leave some of the Raw Sienna showing through in the cracks and crevices to give an aged look.
Next, I applied Pale Daffodil by Apple Barrel over the basket using the same dry brush method.
A tiny bit of white for the eyesockets ,then black for the eyes.
Pueblo by FolkArt for the beak.

After the painting was complete, I gave the basket a couple of coats of a matte sealer.

 

6. Finishing Touches
Create a collar using crepe paper with a gathering stitch. Attach around the neck and fluff. 
I added a bow and flower.

For the handle take your pipe cleaner from the outside going in, run one end of pipe cleaner inside the basket and roll into like a coiled snake, hot glue to the inside of basket. Repeat on the opposite side.

And Wallah! You just made a darlin' little basket for gift giving or for your Spring decor.

Thanks so much for stopping by The Creative Paperclay Blog to 
read  my tutorial. I sure hope you'll give it a try. As always, if you have any questions or if you loved the tutorial, I'd love to hear from you, just leave me a comment.

~Diane
dianiemacdesigns.blogspot.com