Bag of the Week 11

Polymer Clay Necklace Purse

Here’s something a little different this week.  I made this little necklace purse a number of years ago when I was experimenting with polymer clay.  The instructions were published in Belle Armoire magazine, published by Stampington & Company.  Unfortunately, I have gotten rid of all of my old Belle Armoire’s and cannot find information about this article online.  If anyone has old issues and finds the reference I would be grateful if you would share the information in a comment.

The purse was constructed from sheets of polymer clay rolled out with a pasta machine.  These sheets were then molded around a form which was created from layers of corrugated cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil.  Several colors of clay were kneaded together to give a mottled effect and the front and back were stamped with a rubber stamp using metallic gold ink.  Clay beads were added along the sides and bottoms and then the box was cut complete around to form the purse opening.  After baking (the clay is left on the form until after this step) a rattail strap strung with more beads was added.  Lastly, a black tassel was threaded through the bead on the bottom.

This is a unique purse that can be worn like a piece of jewelry.  It is very delicate and fragile so care must be taken when wearing it.  It is 3” by 4”, large enough to hold ID, credit card, money, lipstick and maybe even an iPhone.

Things have been very busy around my house recently.  I am currently working on a long-term home dec project and I am hoping to have a series of posts with pictures coming soon.

Creating an orchestra

The things we do for our children.  Our oldest son has been obsessed with musical instruments for some time now.  He creates all sorts of scenarios involving instruments and insists we play along.  He received his first play dough for Christmas and immediately wanted to make instruments from it.  Or, I should say, he wanted mom and dad to make instruments from it.  He has been known to sit at the kitchen table for two hours playing with these creations and gets so much joy from them.  One night my husband suggested we make some more permanent play things from polymer clay.  So, for the last two nights, after the kids were in bed, we have been creating an orchestra.  Our band consists of a piano, xylophone, violin, cello, bass, cymbals, tambourine, bongo and snare drum (with drumsticks), clarinet, saxophone, flute, trumpet and bassoon. 

My husband is a very fussy creator and took great pains to make his instruments near perfect. 

I took a bit more relaxed approach (except when the yellow clay proved too soft to work with easily). 

All look like they stepped out of a Dr. Seuss book.  We had fun working together on this project and can’t wait to see our son’s reaction tomorrow.  Knowing him, he will probably come up with new and imaginative ways to play with them.

Update on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 3:51PM by Julie Bowersett

Three new instruments joined the band:  banjo, accordion and rainstick!