Learn the step by step process to turn a plain everyday item into a real show stopper. A while back my girlfriend and I took a class to learn how to use resin formed into shapes that can be used to embellish items. I came home with a lovely embellished heart and after the purchase of a form, I knew I wanted to give this easy technique a try using air dry clay instead of resin.
A huge shout out and thank you to Bobbie, the owner of one of my all time favorite boutiques, Not Too Shabby in historic Old Town Folsom. She offers a variety of classes each month that teaches this technique and may others. The classes are a super fun girls afternoon and gives you the opportunity to let your creative side out. Her charming boutique also offers some beautiful unique home decor items for purchase and she is the only retailer in the area that carries the full line of Annie Sloan chalk paints (my personal favorite chalk paint). Be sure to stop by when you are in the area and tell her Nature Way sent you.
A while back I came across this napkin holder at my favorite thrift store. It was priced at $3 but I got it for 75% off, SCORE!!! If I mess this up I’m only out a couple bucks…LOL!
The flat surface is just begging to be embellished! Time to give this technique a try to update this rather plain, dated napkin holder.
Supplies:
- Paint brushes
- 2 colors of chalk paint, one dark and one light color
- Talcum powder
- Air dry clay
- Clay form(s)
- White glue
- Tape
- Sandpaper, medium to fine grit
- Powdered iridescent pigment(s)
- Mod Podge aerosol glaze
You can find a variety of clay forms at just about every major craft store. I especially like this one because it comes with a variety of shapes and a variety of sizes which means it can be used for items in many different sizes.
Start by dusting the form with talcum powder, to prevent the clay from sticking to it. Then start pressing air dry clay into the form. Keep adding clay until the form is filled. Flatten the top smooth (its actually the bottom/back once you pop it out of the form), pressing with your fingers.
Once the form is filled with clay, carefully bend the form (the mould is made of flexible rubber and bends easily) to release the clay from the form. Take your time and do this gently so that the clay maintains it’s shape. Place it on a flat surface and allow the clay to dry completely before moving on the next step. The thickness of the clay will determine how long it will take for your clay to dry completely. I allowed the clay to dry overnight.
While the clay dries coat the item you are embellishing with a base coat of paint. Pick a dark color for the base. This is the color that will “peek” through when we distress the piece. I used a neutral, dark charcoal gray color for the base color.
Once both the clay and the base coat of paint are completely dry, glue the dried clay shape onto the item you are embellishing.
I used a generous amount of regular white glue to attach the fleur-de-lis shape to the front of the napkin holder.
Use a Q-tip to smooth out any excess globs of glue that oozes out when you press the clay piece onto the surface.
Secure the clay shape with some tape to hold it in place as the glue dries.
Once the glue has dried, paint the clay shape in the base color.
Allow the base coat of paint to dry completely.
Once the base coat is completely dry paint with a top coat of paint. Pick a color for the top coat that is several shades lighter than the base coat and provides a nice contrast. I chose a bright white for the top paint coat. Any light color you choose will work, just make sure the base and top coat are contrasting colors for the best finished results.
It may take more than one coat of paint to get good even coverage that completely covers the base coat of paint. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
One the paint has completely dried use a sanding block or a piece of medium to fine grit sandpaper to “distress” the piece. This is the fun part!
Sand over the high points to remove some of the top coat of paint to expose the darker base coat color underneath.
You want the darker base color to “peek” through the top coat of paint on the embellishment. This will give your piece depth and age it so it doesn’t look so flat and new.
The more you sand the piece the more “distressed” it will look. Just a word of caution, if you get really aggressive with the sanding, you will end up sanding through both the top and base coats of paint. So go slowly and keep going until you get the dark base coat peeking through and looking the way you like it.
I sanded down through to the wood on the upper left side of the piece and I actually like the effect. There really is no right way or wrong way to do this, so just relax and have fun with it.
Worst case scenario? You hate it! No worries, wipe it down to remove the dust and just paint it again. Then sand it to your desired “distressed” finish. You really can’t mess it up!
If you want to give the piece a little more patina and depth you can add some powdered pigments to the piece.
Again, there is no right or wrong way to do this. Use the tip of your finger to rub the iridescent powder onto the areas that you want to highlight.
Adding darker pigments will “recede” areas and lighter tones will “highlight” and bring those areas forward. The iridescent powder adds a very subtle effect. The more you rub it into the piece the softer and more natural the patina looks.
The last step is sealing the piece. A spray on Mod Podge is perfect for finishing the piece. I used only one, light coat of the pearlized glazed finish. Depending of the finish you want, you can also use a clear matte for a slightly different effect.
Allow the sealer to dry completely. I love the shimmer the pearlized glaze adds to the piece.
This is such a fun project to do, and it’s pretty much impossible to mess it up. You can completely transform a plain dated looking item and give it a lovely antiqued patina for just pennies.
BEFORE 
AFTER
This project does take several days to complete, not because of the complexity of the process but because of the drying time needed between each step. A bit of clay, some glue and paint…and viola, you have created something beautiful and unique.
If you love the shabby chic look you will love using this easy technique to embellish just about anything and everything in your home! Dresser drawers, a headboard, picture frames, cabinet doors…the possibilities are endless!
Did You Try This Technique?
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This looks great! Thanks for sharing!