Witch's Spellbook with Rachel Whetzel

Hello, out there in Creativeland!! It's Rachel Whetzel, here. It's starting to feel like Fall here in Oregon, and Fall puts me in a spooky mood, so I took some inspiration from the interwebs, and decided to create a Spell Book to add to my Witch's Apothecary Halloween display! 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED to make your own canvas:

• An old phone book
• Creative Paperclay®
• Sandpaper
• Paints. I use Folk Art acrylic craft paints.
• Stain. I used Valspar antiquing stain
• Paint brushes

Get your phonebook sanded up, to help your clay cling to the surface. 

 Because my phonebook had colored pages I didn't want to show, I painted the outside of the pages to make them all look uniform.

 Then, I wet my cover, and started building the "cover" of the book.

 I also carved the words "Book of Spells" onto the cover while the clay was wet, and then painted the cover black once my clay was dry.

 Sand your cover to smooth it out, and create a leathery look to the overall piece. I used gold paint to highlight the title of the book, and wiped off the excess.

 Here's the finished piece, with some of my other Creative Paperclay® pieces from years past.

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to keep up with me, and see more of what I'm up to, I'd also love it if you'd visit MY BLOG and Subscribe! You can also find me on FACEBOOK!

Haunted Halloween Jar 'O' Slugs Witch's Apothecary piece by Rachel Whetzel

Hello, Creatives Paperclay lovers!! Rachel Whetzel here! I'm still in HALLOWEEN mode, and Creative Paperclay® modeling material is perfect for creating things that you just can't find in a store. In 2006, I started to create a Witch's Apothecary for our mantle. I filled it with odd bits and things, and gave them magical labels. This year, I'm adding some more creepy/gross things to the mix. I also realized that I could use Creative Paperclay® to make lids for jars I have, but don't have any lids for. For today's project, I am going to show you what I did to make a Jar 'O' Slugs!

If you'd like to make one for yourself,
YOU WILL NEED:

• Creative Paperclay® modeling material
• A nifty jar
• Candle Stick
• Acrylic Paints (I use Folk Art)
• Matte Finish Krylon Sealant spray

First, I shaped some pieces of clay into slug looking shapes.

Then I got busy painting them to look like slugs! I started with a base coat of brown, and then I added some creams to their bellies to create dimension.

Once I was done, I poured Amazing Clear Cast Resin with a touch of brown dye into the jar with the slugs.
Then, because I didn't have a cork or lid for the jar, I made one by pressing some Creative Paperclay® onto the top and letting it dry.

 After the clay was dry, I drizzled some Amazing Casting Resin with black dye on the clay to recreate a wax seal look. Then I tied a little natural rope to the piece.

I also sprayed the resin and jar with Matte Krylon Finish to give the jar and old, dusty look. I've got a few more pieces I want to add to my apothecary this year! I can't wait to get them made.

Don't FORGET!!

 We'll be having a Halloween Link Up on October 5th, here on the blog!  

Be sure to get your creative juices flowing, and come share YOUR Halloween projects with us!

 

I would love for you to visit me at my "house" too!! Thank you so much for reading!!  ~rachel  

ALSO

 check out the DESIGN TEAM CALL!! Throw your hat into the ring!