clay woes

Crazy happenings are occurring in the Ferraioli household. The clay I use for my figurines is getting a little unpredictable lately. I've been getting a few bad batches and it's starting to really get annoying. Usually when I go to pick out the clay, I'm hunched over the shelf, opening all the packages (it's okay, it's just a flip top, no seal breaking. i'm not that douche), poking them to see how soft they are. If the block of clay is too soft, I know it's going to be terrible to work with. It's the difference between say...trying to sculpt with softened butter versus refrigerated cream cheese. Weird analogy, I know.
A couple of weeks ago, I was desperate. I needed clay and the store only had the "soft butter" clay blocks. Great. Awesome. I'll deal. I guess.



Not only did ALL of my little clay figurines slump over in the oven, but their bitty heads all cracked at the necks. Needless to say...it was not a good day.
I used the rest of the butter clay as filler for other random things, and cursed the day I ever got desperate.

Then the other day, I went and picked up more clay. It was the good kind! The refrigerated cream cheese kind.
But of course, because the universe is against me, something went wrong again. While making a few 3 inch cake topper figurines, some of their bottoms bubbled out. Possibly I didn't knead the clay enough or smush the foil inside tight enough and it made an air pocket. Either way, those are scrapped. What a waste.
I did save one to use to verify the size for my future cake toppers though! Doesn't he look happy...

Adventures in Nachos

I recently was commissioned by a friend to make a special something out of clay. A TacoBell Nachos Supreme charm! I've never made anything quite like this before. I've done food, but it's always been something sweet, like a cupcake, or a cookie, or whatnot. But I think it came out pretty well! And I'm especially proud of my "ground beef". I figured out that the best way to make a crumbly looking beef was to simply take a toothpick and drag it along the clay. It balled up and crumbled no problem! Lou was not as excited as I was with my adventures in crafting. Now I have to think of more things with ground beef to make, as I went crazy and made a ton!

Trinket box trinkets

After getting such good responses from people about the trinket box I made Ashley for her birthday, I was really inspired to start making them to sell. But before I could do that, I had to build up my trinket supply. So I've been busily making all kinds of clay goodies. I want to make sure I have lots and lots to choose from. I'm thinking some gingerbread miniature men and maybe some All-Sorts licorice, ooh and gumdrops and then I should be good to start.

Lou ruinned the peppermint candies for me. This is why I don't show him things! He said they look like poker chips and now that's all I can see. *ugh* I'm hoping when they're paired with other sweet goodies, they'll translate better. I made a mountain of them in red and green, so I don't want them to go to waste! Also, I'm not ready to make a poker trinket box at the moment. Sweets and snacks to start. I'm always more inspired and creative when food is involved! Although, miniature playing cards would be equally adorable...



Besides clay goodies, I'm also starting to look around for just tiny miniature do-dads and what-nots. I found these teeny tiny pipecleaner chickies at Michael's. I'm not sure if I'll use them yet, but they're SO CUTE!