Telling Stories with Creative Paperclay®

I am always trying to do something new and I am always trying to organize my studio. The combination means there is always something I find that I can practice on. I came across an old cabinet card and decided it needed a story. I love making stories for all the vintage images that I have.

SUPPLIES
cabinet card
Creative Paperclay®paint
tape
stamps










I taped off the straight edges wih blue
painter's tape. Then I carefully rolled out Creative Paperclay® on top of image. I trimmed the clay after stamping it and removed the tape.

Decided the boy needed a name so it was Bad Mike. I named it after my brother who is actually a great guy. Since he calls me Mean Darlene, I thought it is only fair to turn it back on him.













I finished it off by painting the background and adding two colors of metallic rub. Then it was framed and given as a gift to my brother. A fun way to make an impression for a birthday or just as a gift. You can find cabinet cards online and at flea markets.

Have fun with art & dream in color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Create a Journal for You and Your Friends

Take an old book from a thrift store and turn it into a journal for yourself or for a gift. Simple and easy.

Supplies
Old book
Gesso
Paint
Creative Paperclay®
Stamps
Collage elements

I started by painting gesso on the interior pages. This adds a little weight to the pages as well as give you a great surface for journaling on. I let some of the text show through for interest.

Next, I added Creative Paperclay® on the cover of the old book and added texture and pattern by brayering stamping and stencils on the clay.

I added paint, metallic rubs and then glued on collage elements.

This is a great gift for all ages. Have fun.

—Darlene Olivia McElroy

Give a Little of Your HeART

Since Valentine's Day is almost here, I decided to make a batch of hearts to hand out to my friends so they have a memento of how much I care. I made an assortment because all of my friends are different plus I enjoy the variety of textures and looks.

Supplies
Creative Paperclay®
Amazing Molding Putty
Assortment of hearts to cast
Acrylic paint
Gold & silver rub





I went through my collection of metal and wood hearts to find the ones that I wanted to work with.

I made molds with amazing molding putty with some of them. One of the metal hearts I just had to turn over to cast the clay in.

Then it was my usual painting and metallic rubs.

I finished by putting them in fabric gift bags to hand deliver them in.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Giving Creative Paperclay® a Faux Age Metal Look

I love old architectural elements and aged metal. If you catch me at the flea market I am hanging out at the vendors who sell this wonderful stuff. This is an example of Creative Paperclay® made to look like an old metal door detail.

Supplies
Creative Paperclay®
Indonesian wood block
Acrylic paint (black & micaceous oxide)
Gold & silver rub
Salt

Apply Creative Paperclay® over an old Indonesian wood block or anything with lots of texture. Let the Creative Paperclay® dry completely.

When dry, paint with a matte black paint and let dry.

Apply gold and silver rub to the highlights.

For a final coat, apply a watered down micaceous oxide acrylic paint and liberally apply salt the wet paint. Let the paint dry thoroughly. The salt will adhere and gives it the gritty texture of age.

Take time to play and make art.

Darlene Olivia McElroy