Bringing Autumn Indoors: Step-by-Step Red Leaf Coasters DIY
by Lina Maria in Craft > Clay
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Bringing Autumn Indoors: Step-by-Step Red Leaf Coasters DIY
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In this instructable, I am going to guide you through the process of creating beautiful red tree-leaf polymer clay coasters. These coasters will feature realistic leaf impressions and subtle shading, making them perfect for adding a touch of nature to your home decor.
Supplies
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- Red polymer clay
- Large tree leaves with your preferred shape
- Acrylic roller for flattening the clay
- Acrylic board as a work surface for the clay
- Polymer clay tools
- Pastel chalks
- Red foam sheet
- Glue
Flatten the Polymer Clay
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Take the red polymer clay and use the acrylic roller to flatten it into a sheet approximately 4mm thick.
Impress the Leaf
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Place one of the tree leaves onto the clay sheet and roll the acrylic roller over it to impress the leaf's shape onto the clay.
Trim the Excess Clay
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Carefully cut away the excess clay surrounding the leaf shape, leaving only the leaf impression.
Remove the Clay From the Leaf
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Gently separate the polymer clay from the tree leaf, ensuring the leaf impression remains intact on the clay.
Add Detail to the Leaf
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For more defined lines, use one of the polymer clay tools to lightly trace along the leaf's natural lines.
Prepare for Baking
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Lay the leaf-shaped clay pieces on a baking paper or tray.
Apply Pastel Chalks
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Use a cutter to scrape fine powder from the pastel chalks and apply it to the clay leaves using a brush. This will create shadows, highlights, and subtle details on the surface.
Bake the Clay
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When you like the way they look, follow the baking instructions provided by your polymer clay supplier to bake the clay leaves.
After the clay leaves have cooled, use a damp cloth to wipe off any excess pastel chalk powder.
Create the Coaster Base
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Trace and draw the leaf shapes onto the red foam sheet using a marker, then carefully cut out each leaf.
Attaching the Clay Leaves to the Foam Base
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Apply glue to the back of each clay leaf and attach them to the foam leaves. Follow the glue manufacturer's instructions.
In my case, I had to allow the pieces to set for 10 minutes before joining them together.
Trim the Foam
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If any excess foam is visible around the edges, use a cutter to trim it off.
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Your red tree leaf polymer clay coasters are now ready to use! Enjoy your nature-inspired and handmade coasters.
Remember to follow each step carefully, referring to the accompanying images for guidance. Happy crafting!