I should not be watching your videos while at work! LOL I work nights and tonight would have been the best night to watch and listen to you. Just recovering from a hard, 2 week illness and I had spent a lot of sleepless nights with upsets. Simply love what you do, Fiona.
The canes used in this project are so well explained that even though I'm a complete beginner, I feel that I could manage them and they can be used so many ways. Thank you very much!
oh my goodness, thank you so much for this video. all of my plants are in terracotta, and I've been wanting to create some sculptural carves reliefs with clay to put on them, but wasn't sure if it was possible, I've googled for HOURS and so many times, finally happened across your video on reddit! I finally have my answer and instructions on how to do it! Thank you so much! haha.
Fiona, you are a polymer clay wizard, and you've worked your magic to make this adorable little pot. You are such an inspiration and I am so glad I happened upon your TH-cam channel. I can't wait to try this! As always, heartfelt thanks for your time, and generous spirit!💜💙
Interesting leaf, and I liked your use of the colors. I can’t wait to try that technique. When I see a project like this, I instantly think.....TEACHER GIFT!
Your pots look amazing, and I now have a better understanding of canes. Thank you so much! Decorating flower pots is one of my favourite things to do, and now I can take it a whole step further 💙💜
I liked this tutorial so much I went and bought some terra cotta pots and made 2 today. They turned out so cute!! Thank you for the inspiration!! I love your videos. Cant wait to see what's next!
Thanks Stephanie, regarding putting the uncured clay onto cured clay, you can of course use Bake and Bond, or liquid polymer clay, or PVA glue, but for this sort of project I didn't feel I needed it. If it had been a more precarious attachment (as opposed to a flat piece) or on something that was likely to be under stress, then I would absolutely add some additional form of bond. :)
Really loved this! I have been looking for anyone decorating a plant pot with clay and so far you're the only one that has done it and so beautifully! It's my dad's birthday tomorrow so I'll try and decorate one for him as a surprise... I don't have a pasta making machine so I'll try and roll it out... Hopefully the Egyptian weather will agree with the outdoor plant as that's where I am at the moment 😂 I'll have to check about the sealant situation though... Thanks ever so much again 😘😘😘
I just wanted to say: you make me homesick for England. *sigh* No, I'm not from there, but I did live there, and so many English people were lovely to me.
Hello. i love the pots and may try it myself for out on the balcony. i do have a question if you don't mind. if i was to try beading could i still try the canes and blending with air dry clay. Thank you.
Thanks Hazel, I think auto correct may have changed your words a bit ? So I am a bit unsure what you are asking. I also don't have experience with air dry clay, so am not sure how any blending would work. My only advice would be, if you can 'afford' to maybe waste the air dry clay if it doesn't work, give it a try and see what happens :)
Hi I’m from Guatemala.. I just subscribe. I live at nj USA .. and i hope I Can Learn this technique.. that is new to me . I watched. Another of ur videos.. and i really like it ! Thanks for share . ( sorry about my English but I’m learning )
Your English is wonderful Luis. I am so sorry not to have replied before. I have only just seen your comment. I hope you have managed to have fun with clay, and that you are still enjoying the videos. Thank you so much for your comment :)
Some are left open, but if I want one as a decorative outer pot, to be able to hold and contain water, then I will fill the hole :) You can also use them as non flower pots too, just have them as decorative pots to hold things in :)
Very Cute idea! Do you have a video experimenting with different clay brands? Like which clay is best used for certain things? Or what to do if your clay is too soft? I’ve tried twice to make a simple cane with sculpey and it’s was so soft I couldn’t do like a skinner blend. I’m very new to polymer clay. Thanks for your amazing talent!
Thanks so much Heather :) I am actually planning to do a short video soon showing some of the differences I have found between the makes of clay, but this will only be my own, personal observations. For all things technical on Polymer clay, and all the advice you are mentioning, you can not do better than check out The Blue Bottle Tree which has everything you will need to know, including comparisons of the clays, conditioning etc. I hope that helps :) thebluebottletree.com/
Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals thank you so much for this article! It was exactly what I wanted to know. I’d love to see your video about your experiences with different clays. Thank you!
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals I just finished watching the entire video and I wanted to add that all the pots are very pretty and I love ALL the flower and leaf canes!! Would love to see how you made the petal cane on the biggest pot.
Thanks @@RameyRocks :) The big flower was exactly the same petal cane, but in the colours Royalty/Igloo/Pistachio. I then cut 5 petals, put them on the pot. I used a big ball tool to press in an indent where they met. I used a simple cane I had and put that in the impression, and then used a smaller ball tool to press into the middle of that. If you don't have a simple cane for the centre, make a ball of a contrasting colour, and press that in, and use a small ball tool in its centre. I hope that helps ? :)
Hi Fiona, thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial :) I love how your pot turned out! Did you ever experiment using waterproof sealant on terracotta pots, because I'm wondering whether you need to apply sealant first prior to decorating the pot with clay?
Thanks so much 🙂 To be honest, no, I did no more experimenting as my pots are still outside, in their 3rd year and have gone through extreme temperatures, both high and low, and are still doing fine 😉
great video, but do you have to put the pot in the oven while it's heating or is it safe to pre heat the oven and then put the pot in? and between, is it ok to leave the oven on while you make the next round?
Thanks so much, I always recommend to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the clay you are using, and that would apply to the type of oven you are using too ;) For me personally, I add a little extra time to allow for the oven warming up - but yes of course you can add it to a pre-warmed oven. It is up to you if you leave your oven on between bakings, mine has a timer so turns itself off, but if you only have minutes between bakings, then yes, apart from the cost of the electricity, that should be fine. Do what is right for you, the clay will be fine as long as it gets to the right temperature for the right length of time ;) I hope that helps :)
So these pots are totally okay in the oven? Since the clay is low temp required to cure? I read somewhere that you should put the pot to preheat with the oven rather than putting it directly into the oven at 275. Can you tell me a bit of what you did for that?
Yes the pots are terra cotta, so they are perfectly fine baking at the low heat needed for Polymer Clay. I do put mine in and let the oven warm up around them, but that is purely because I know my oven heats up evenly and doesn't give a sudden spike before it levels out to a temperature. I also bake them for longer than the recommended time as I allow for the additional time it takes to get to the correct temperature. As far as I am aware, there should be no issue in putting them into the preheated oven though? I certainly haven't heard of anyone having a problem with it. It does however depend on your oven's reliability, and of course as I mention in the video, I always tent my pieces in aluminium foil. I hope that helps. 🙂
I don't see why not, but of course I haven't tried it so am only speaking hypothetically :) As long as the paint was one that adheres well to the terracotta, it should provide a firm base for the clay too. I would probably add a little liquid clay or PVA glue to the areas I then wanted to add the clay to, just to give added adhesion. Go for it, I would love to know how it worked out :)
Thanks Sylvia, no, you can of course use Bake and Bond, or liquid polymer clay, or PVA glue, but for this sort of project I didn't feel I needed it. If it had been a more precarious attachment (as opposed to a flat piece) or on something that was likely to be under stress, then I would absolutely add some additional form of bond. :)
I love this idea, I live in Florida so gardening is year round. We do have to worry about water and sun, will the clay fade in constant sunlight? Also does anyone know of a sealer for the inside that would be safe foe plants and waterproof? I know that white glue like Elmers would eventually absorb the water and become a liquid glue again, sad experience.
Thanks Renee :) The orange colours I used have now started to fade in the sun, but the rest seem okay, even after a summer in direct sunlight, even if we have less heat than Florida ;) AS for the sealant, any of the polymer clay varnishes should work I would think. Have you seen the Blue Bottle Tree site? Ginger has lots of articles on all things polymer clay, including quite a few on the subject of varnishes, that may help :) - thebluebottletree.com/category/articles/
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals thank you, the info about the orange is helpful, reds usually fade here too, we tend to avoid those for outdoor stuff, and a huge thanks for the site link, I haven't run across her videos yet
@@reneewall5770 Oh in that case, expect to lose several hours as you trawl through her site, She is the absolute guru for all things polymer clay - enjoy :)
Wonderful tutorial Fiona as always....Thank you 😊 Could I just ask you, did you not need to use any bake and bond on the flowers and leaves as it was raw clay on baked?
Thanks you Sarah :) No although it does give a good bond, as I was only using small pieces, I didn't want to have the bake and bond, or liquid clay showing on any parts where the clay didn't meet. By pressing down firmly, the clay adheres to itself firmly during the curing process :)
Thanks Sue. I always suggest that people bake according to the manufacturer's instructions as that can differ slightly between different brands of clay. However, I baked this piece for about 35 minutes for each stage that I did. If you wish to know any more or get some really good advice on baking clay, you cant do better than go to The Blue Bottle Tree, and look at some of Ginger's articles. I hope that helps ? thebluebottletree.com/?s=baking+clay
Thank you Gladys. I have two tutorials on covering pens already ;) This one on Etsy - www.etsy.com/uk/listing/582572879/covering-pen-blanks-with-the-og-cane-in? and this one on TH-cam - th-cam.com/video/zCykR8Knxq4/w-d-xo.html So either of those may be of interest? :)
Dear Fiona, is it safe to put that pottery on the oven in order to cook the polymer clay, even though the pottery is alrady cooked? Do you think there is a possibility that it would break?
Hi Maria, the terra cotta pots will have been kiln fired under very high temperatures, so the low temperature of the oven will have no effect on them whatsoever. I hope that helps? :)
Thanks Colleen, given the very useful info someone else posted above, yes, if you were planning on using it as an actual flowerpot, then sealing it on the inside, to prevent it from absorbing too much water is probably a good idea. If however you are simply using it as a decorative pot or a desk tidy, then it is completely up to you. It would of course give a good finish, but I am quite happy with mine being unsealed :) So completely your choice, and make sure you use something suitable for sealing terracotta :)
You can re-bake polymer clay multiple times with no problems. In fact the longer you bake the clay for, the stronger it becomes. It is the temperature that is the important thing, not the length of time it bakes, or how often. I hope that helps? :)
I'm new to clay making I would like to know if there was a pacific reason why you baked it in all the stages in stead of baking all together at the end?
The only reason is the practicality of handling something so much. The more you try to add at any time, the more likely it is to become distorted, marked, scratched, have finger marks in etc. It is a good question though, as I have become so used to doing things in stages because of this that I forget to mention why I am doing it to others, so thanks for the reminder :) I hope that helps :)
I had 1 little ceramic pot. I slipped on the porch and went sprawling. Pot in shards! I am a bit bruised. Very lucky dont want to break anything at this age. Have to wait till i get a new pit now
Here is one example of where it is, so you can copy the details and check out who currently has the best offers on it :) Glass cutting Board - X Cut, search under glass, cutting, mat - www.amazon.co.uk/Xcut-13-inch-Tempered-Glass-Cutting/dp/B009W9BOGO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1550664510&sr=1-2&keywords=glass+cutting+mat
I have a paper box that I want to decorate. Will I be able to decorate my box with the clay and bake, or do I have to bake the pieces separately and then glue them on?
Not wanting to be too unspecific, but it really depends on the box, and how able the paper is to be baked at the same temperature as the clay. I would recommend tenting the box in aluminium foil (so that the box sits inside a cocoon of the foil, not that the foil touches/covers the box) and baking it first to check. Keep an eye on it all the time, as you don't want the box to burn. If it is fine, then it will be fine to cover in clay. Have you seen the polymer clay box tutorial I did? as if not, that may give some helpful tips too :) th-cam.com/video/wcdbtYnLctg/w-d-xo.html
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals I have seen the box! That's what gave me the idea. I just have a box laying around and thought I could decorate that as a practice run. I will do as you suggested and let you know how it goes! Thank you for replying ❤️
Glass absolutely, with plastic ones I would check them separately in the oven first to see if they will bake okay, if not, leave a hollow for them, and glue them in afterwards :)
PVA is not as good as bake and bond, or the liquid clays, but I always mention it so that people who don't have them can still have a go at my projects :) without having to go and buy what can be quite expensive additional glues. It does work at creating a bond, but it is just not as good or strong as the mediums made especially for those jobs :) I hope that helps? :)
No of course not Ben, this was only to be a helpful guide later on if you wanted a quick and easy way to evenly space your design elements around your pot :)
Is PVA glue same as Elmer's Glue? Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVA, PVAc, poly(ethenyl ethanoate): best known as wood glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, school glue, Elmer's glue in the US, or PVA glue) is an aliphatic rubbery synthetic polymer with the formula (C4H6O2)n.
I've had issues using the school grade white glue, but I've not had any issues of using a washable wood glue. Just be careful to make sure you find one that dries clear.
Yes, as the comments above say, it is the sort of school glue that isn't particularly sticky, but it just creates enough of a primer coat on the pot to be able to help the polymer clay to adhere really well :)
@@gyllenhaalic66 I'm just reading the ingredients on my pva glue (aka school or craft glue) here in Australia & it's just as u asked... Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) & Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc). Sounds same as Elmer's Glue.
I am assuming you mean in a Skinner Blend ? Don't cut right to the ends in the diagonal, but leave a margin of each pure colour on either side. Then you will get a blend, but still have some of each original colour showing through. It can also depend on the brand of clay you are using. Have you seen my Skinner Blend tut? Here is the link - th-cam.com/video/Ad0KmwKyVx8/w-d-xo.html - I hope that helps a bit :)
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals It's the skinner blend, yes, sorry. Thank you for the link, I will check your video out... I copied you completely... leaving that margin, and it happened with both the flower and leaf blends. What I ended up with I've used, as it's okay, but my pink, white & blue flowers are nothing like what you have :( I'm using Fimo soft clay at the present, though will invest in some Sculpey as funds allow. I used Sculpey way back in the mid/ late 90s in a previous life so I know I can trust it. I was given some Magicfly, but that's very sticky, so I mix it with another, more firm, gift set which helps, but I can't put anything too sticky through the pasta machine. Incidentally, how do you clean your machine? I'm using a bottle brush as I turn the handle. Thank you for your reply :)
@@ladycroft7571 If my blends have completley run out of the colour I want at the ends, I cut off a little diagonal slice, and add a larger slice of the colour I want - white - in, then reblend a couple of times - that usually works :) It may well be the clay you are using rather then you doing anything differently to me. Sadly some of the generic clays do not mix/blend/cane in the same way that the recognised brands do. :( I have a particular method I use to clean my machine, which is difficult to explain. I have had it down as a video to do for some time now, maybe I ought to bump it up my 'to do' list ;) I hope your next blends are better for you :)
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thank you... I will try that. I'll also use these packs of 'sticky' clay for moulds or even scrap and bulking... trying to make tiny eyes for example is both difficult and frustrating... but the MagicFly and other mixed pack were gifts... I'll keep practising with the blends :)
I no longer do one to one classes, but where ever you are based there is probably a local group you could join who will have loads of experience between them. I do know what you mean, and can definitley recommend doing a face to face tutorial with an experienced tutor if you get a chane. Although it may mean travelling to see them. Good luck 🙂
Fiona I got today my pasta machine I had a 50% off at Michaels so I payed 15$ this the beginning i thought it could b expensive but thank God for 50% off at Michaels . I'll send u pics but I'm truly interested in that tiger piece u made
fantastic , you will have such fun with it. When you say interested in the Tiger piece, did you mean to buy? If that is what you meant, just send me a message through the contact box on my website (www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk ) and we can chat. If not, no worries I just didn't want to ignore you comment :)
Thanks for another great tutorial! I can verify that half the pots don't last through a Pennsylvania, USA winter, so don't try that here. :-) The polyclay has no trouble with it...the clay, however, shatters, so store it indoors. Polyclay adornments, hangers, and whatnot on plastic pots do just fine even in freezing conditions. Plastic pots are better but don't do very well in the oven...
Thanks, yes it was the pots themselves that I was thinking of, rather than the polymer, but I will give it a go anyway, and see what happens ;) thanks so much for the helpful info :)
Don't use this as an actual flower pot. I spent much time making a fairy scene on a pot. Regular watering caused pieces to fall off until all were gone. 😥
Oh no, how sad, good to know Pam :) I will probably have the same results then, so I may put my worst one only outside with an actual plant in, and I can quote you and your experience as well, when I replicate your results :)
Before using a decorated terra cotta pot as a plant pot, it is very important to thorough seal the inside of the pot with PVA or an even stronger sealant as water will seep through the porous pot. So sorry that happened to you. Are you able to salvage it at all?
@@sandrasmale5871 thank you both for your very helpful comments. I have amended my Video description to reflect your experiences, and will continue to experiment over time, to see which methods, if any allow for the pots to be used to hold earth and flowers directly. :)
I should not be watching your videos while at work! LOL I work nights and tonight would have been the best night to watch and listen to you. Just recovering from a hard, 2 week illness and I had spent a lot of sleepless nights with upsets. Simply love what you do, Fiona.
So sorry you'vbe been poorly, but glad you enjoyed the video, thanks so much Julia 🙂
Cute I love this I am thinking I will make some for teachers.
Great idea, have fun, thank you so much 🙂
The canes used in this project are so well explained that even though I'm a complete beginner, I feel that I could manage them and they can be used so many ways. Thank you very much!
Thank you so much Sandra :)
Hi Fiona, I really like how you go into detail of the process. You truly are an amazing artist!
thank you so much Tamarah :)
Thank you Fiona, a great fun tutorial. Will do this with my grand children at the week end. They will love it x
great, thank you Kim :)
oh my goodness, thank you so much for this video. all of my plants are in terracotta, and I've been wanting to create some sculptural carves reliefs with clay to put on them, but wasn't sure if it was possible, I've googled for HOURS and so many times, finally happened across your video on reddit! I finally have my answer and instructions on how to do it! Thank you so much! haha.
So glad you found it too :) have fun and create some wonderful pieces :)
Very cute.
Thank you so much 🙂
I love the blue clay. I might actually be able to make this cane.
You definitley can - go for it. Thanks so much 🙂
Fiona, you are a polymer clay wizard, and you've worked your magic to make this adorable little pot. You are such an inspiration and I am so glad I happened upon your TH-cam channel. I can't wait to try this! As always, heartfelt thanks for your time, and generous spirit!💜💙
Thanks so much Michelle :)
Beautiful little pot. I kove watching your videos!!!! I have learned so much!!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks so much Vicky :)
Thank you for this lovely tutorial!
Thanks so much Sarah 🙂
Interesting leaf, and I liked your use of the colors. I can’t wait to try that technique. When I see a project like this, I instantly think.....TEACHER GIFT!
Thanks so much Margaret :)
Beautiful colours and neat idea. Carefully explained process and wonderful execution. TFS
Thanks so much Marion :)
Your pots look amazing, and I now have a better understanding of canes. Thank you so much! Decorating flower pots is one of my favourite things to do, and now I can take it a whole step further 💙💜
Brilliant, have fun with it :) Thank you :)
All the pots are wonderful, and just in time for a needed project for me. Thank you
Wonderful, thanks so much Leona :)
I love these pots. They are so creative.
Thanks so much Sandra :)
Wow! That is so darling! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Annalee :)
Absolutely Gorgeous ! I’m a plant person, have many many flower pots ! So I’ll be trying this soon !! ❤️
Thanks so much :) Would love to see what you make :)
Thank you so much for a great tutorial. I'm going to try my very first pot and your instructions were so easy to follow. Can't wait to get started! 😊
Wonderful, have fun :) Thanks so much :)
I liked this tutorial so much I went and bought some terra cotta pots and made 2 today. They turned out so cute!! Thank you for the inspiration!! I love your videos. Cant wait to see what's next!
Oh wonderful !! Thanks so much Jan :)
You did a wonderful job at explaining everything!
Thank you very much :)
Just beautiful and inspiring. Thank you
Thanks so much Michelle 🙂
Una fantastica idea la decoración de estas macetas de terracota,como siempre muy bien explicado,gracias de nuevo por compartir :)
Muchas gracias Juana :)
Fabulous, Fiona! So pretty! 💜
thank you Cindylee29 :)
Such fun! These are now on my list of projects! Thank you for sharing.
thanks so much Dawn :)
Thank you Fiona for another great tutorial!
Thanks Kaycy :)
These are adorable. Can't wait to give it a try. We all seem to have the same question regarding the flowers and leaves on the baked clay. LOL
Thanks Stephanie, regarding putting the uncured clay onto cured clay, you can of course use Bake and Bond, or liquid polymer clay, or PVA glue, but for this sort of project I didn't feel I needed it. If it had been a more precarious attachment (as opposed to a flat piece) or on something that was likely to be under stress, then I would absolutely add some additional form of bond. :)
That was enjoyable for me as well! I shall give it a try. So lovely! Thank you !
great, thanks so much Leetzanna :)
Great project to do with kids, and not to much of a mess!
yes, that's what I thought too :)
It's just lovely! Like all of your wonderful creations. I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you for sharing this!
Rachel D
Thank you so much :)
Completely adorable Fiona 🙏🏽
Thank you so much Joyce :)
Really loved this! I have been looking for anyone decorating a plant pot with clay and so far you're the only one that has done it and so beautifully! It's my dad's birthday tomorrow so I'll try and decorate one for him as a surprise... I don't have a pasta making machine so I'll try and roll it out... Hopefully the Egyptian weather will agree with the outdoor plant as that's where I am at the moment 😂 I'll have to check about the sealant situation though... Thanks ever so much again 😘😘😘
You are welcome :) Have fun with it and I am sure your Dad will love his pot. Thank you :)
I just wanted to say: you make me homesick for England. *sigh* No, I'm not from there, but I did live there, and so many English people were lovely to me.
I am so glad you had such a good time here, sorry about the homesickness though :)
Hello. i love the pots and may try it myself for out on the balcony. i do have a question if you don't mind. if i was to try beading could i still try the canes and blending with air dry clay. Thank you.
Thanks Hazel, I think auto correct may have changed your words a bit ? So I am a bit unsure what you are asking. I also don't have experience with air dry clay, so am not sure how any blending would work. My only advice would be, if you can 'afford' to maybe waste the air dry clay if it doesn't work, give it a try and see what happens :)
Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Thanks so much Sally :)
Hi I’m from Guatemala.. I just subscribe. I live at nj USA .. and i hope I Can Learn this technique.. that is new to me . I watched. Another of ur videos.. and i really like it ! Thanks for share . ( sorry about my English but I’m learning )
Your English is wonderful Luis. I am so sorry not to have replied before. I have only just seen your comment. I hope you have managed to have fun with clay, and that you are still enjoying the videos. Thank you so much for your comment :)
Nice project, Fiona! Love your clever trick with the parchment paper. :-)
Thanks so much Sandy :)
Like this. Am saving this for later use.
Thanks so much Judy :)
Great tutorial! I am definitely going to try this! Just curious why you covered the drainage hole?
Some are left open, but if I want one as a decorative outer pot, to be able to hold and contain water, then I will fill the hole :) You can also use them as non flower pots too, just have them as decorative pots to hold things in :)
Just lovely :)
Thanks Bev :)
Very Cute idea! Do you have a video experimenting with different clay brands? Like which clay is best used for certain things? Or what to do if your clay is too soft? I’ve tried twice to make a simple cane with sculpey and it’s was so soft I couldn’t do like a skinner blend. I’m very new to polymer clay. Thanks for your amazing talent!
Thanks so much Heather :) I am actually planning to do a short video soon showing some of the differences I have found between the makes of clay, but this will only be my own, personal observations. For all things technical on Polymer clay, and all the advice you are mentioning, you can not do better than check out The Blue Bottle Tree which has everything you will need to know, including comparisons of the clays, conditioning etc. I hope that helps :) thebluebottletree.com/
Fiona Abel-Smith PolyOriginals thank you so much for this article! It was exactly what I wanted to know. I’d love to see your video about your experiences with different clays. Thank you!
I love those leaves.
Thanks Missi R :)
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals I just finished watching the entire video and I wanted to add that all the pots are very pretty and I love ALL the flower and leaf canes!! Would love to see how you made the petal cane on the biggest pot.
Thanks @@RameyRocks :) The big flower was exactly the same petal cane, but in the colours Royalty/Igloo/Pistachio. I then cut 5 petals, put them on the pot. I used a big ball tool to press in an indent where they met. I used a simple cane I had and put that in the impression, and then used a smaller ball tool to press into the middle of that. If you don't have a simple cane for the centre, make a ball of a contrasting colour, and press that in, and use a small ball tool in its centre. I hope that helps ? :)
Love this Fiona! Ty for sharing
Hi Fiona, thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial :) I love how your pot turned out! Did you ever experiment using waterproof sealant on terracotta pots, because I'm wondering whether you need to apply sealant first prior to decorating the pot with clay?
Thanks so much 🙂 To be honest, no, I did no more experimenting as my pots are still outside, in their 3rd year and have gone through extreme temperatures, both high and low, and are still doing fine 😉
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals That's good to know!! 😁Thank you so much for responding!
The pot is so cute! I especially love those petal & leaf canes...they're beautiful. So fun & whimsical 😍😍😍
Thanks so much Melanie :)
great video, but do you have to put the pot in the oven while it's heating or is it safe to pre heat the oven and then put the pot in? and between, is it ok to leave the oven on while you make the next round?
Thanks so much, I always recommend to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the clay you are using, and that would apply to the type of oven you are using too ;) For me personally, I add a little extra time to allow for the oven warming up - but yes of course you can add it to a pre-warmed oven. It is up to you if you leave your oven on between bakings, mine has a timer so turns itself off, but if you only have minutes between bakings, then yes, apart from the cost of the electricity, that should be fine. Do what is right for you, the clay will be fine as long as it gets to the right temperature for the right length of time ;) I hope that helps :)
Now I want to make an underwater one.
Oh yes, that would be fabulous 🙂
So these pots are totally okay in the oven? Since the clay is low temp required to cure? I read somewhere that you should put the pot to preheat with the oven rather than putting it directly into the oven at 275. Can you tell me a bit of what you did for that?
Yes the pots are terra cotta, so they are perfectly fine baking at the low heat needed for Polymer Clay. I do put mine in and let the oven warm up around them, but that is purely because I know my oven heats up evenly and doesn't give a sudden spike before it levels out to a temperature. I also bake them for longer than the recommended time as I allow for the additional time it takes to get to the correct temperature. As far as I am aware, there should be no issue in putting them into the preheated oven though? I certainly haven't heard of anyone having a problem with it. It does however depend on your oven's reliability, and of course as I mention in the video, I always tent my pieces in aluminium foil. I hope that helps. 🙂
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginalsawesome! I’m going to try next weekend. Thank you for your detailed response!!
You're welcome, :) @@kenseywilliams860
Lovely! But can one paint the pot before applying the polymer clay instead of covering it with polymer clay?
I don't see why not, but of course I haven't tried it so am only speaking hypothetically :) As long as the paint was one that adheres well to the terracotta, it should provide a firm base for the clay too. I would probably add a little liquid clay or PVA glue to the areas I then wanted to add the clay to, just to give added adhesion. Go for it, I would love to know how it worked out :)
Lovely! No need for bake and bond when applying raw clay to cured?
Thanks Sylvia, no, you can of course use Bake and Bond, or liquid polymer clay, or PVA glue, but for this sort of project I didn't feel I needed it. If it had been a more precarious attachment (as opposed to a flat piece) or on something that was likely to be under stress, then I would absolutely add some additional form of bond. :)
love it adorable
Thanks Catherine :)
I love this idea, I live in Florida so gardening is year round. We do have to worry about water and sun, will the clay fade in constant sunlight? Also does anyone know of a sealer for the inside that would be safe foe plants and waterproof? I know that white glue like Elmers would eventually absorb the water and become a liquid glue again, sad experience.
Thanks Renee :) The orange colours I used have now started to fade in the sun, but the rest seem okay, even after a summer in direct sunlight, even if we have less heat than Florida ;) AS for the sealant, any of the polymer clay varnishes should work I would think. Have you seen the Blue Bottle Tree site? Ginger has lots of articles on all things polymer clay, including quite a few on the subject of varnishes, that may help :) - thebluebottletree.com/category/articles/
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals thank you, the info about the orange is helpful, reds usually fade here too, we tend to avoid those for outdoor stuff, and a huge thanks for the site link, I haven't run across her videos yet
@@reneewall5770 Oh in that case, expect to lose several hours as you trawl through her site, She is the absolute guru for all things polymer clay - enjoy :)
Wonderful tutorial Fiona as always....Thank you 😊 Could I just ask you, did you not need to use any bake and bond on the flowers and leaves as it was raw clay on baked?
Thanks you Sarah :) No although it does give a good bond, as I was only using small pieces, I didn't want to have the bake and bond, or liquid clay showing on any parts where the clay didn't meet. By pressing down firmly, the clay adheres to itself firmly during the curing process :)
Could you please tell me how long you baked this, just loved it, thank you
Thanks Sue. I always suggest that people bake according to the manufacturer's instructions as that can differ slightly between different brands of clay. However, I baked this piece for about 35 minutes for each stage that I did. If you wish to know any more or get some really good advice on baking clay, you cant do better than go to The Blue Bottle Tree, and look at some of Ginger's articles. I hope that helps ? thebluebottletree.com/?s=baking+clay
Great video instructions are great. Can you do a tutorial on covering a pen. Thank you
Thank you Gladys. I have two tutorials on covering pens already ;) This one on Etsy -
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/582572879/covering-pen-blanks-with-the-og-cane-in?
and this one on TH-cam - th-cam.com/video/zCykR8Knxq4/w-d-xo.html So either of those may be of interest? :)
Nice 👍🏻
Thank you :)
Dear Fiona, is it safe to put that pottery on the oven in order to cook the polymer clay, even though the pottery is alrady cooked? Do you think there is a possibility that it would break?
Hi Maria, the terra cotta pots will have been kiln fired under very high temperatures, so the low temperature of the oven will have no effect on them whatsoever. I hope that helps? :)
Hi Fiona. I'm in love 🌹. Thanks a lot for sharing this tutorial with us.
Take care.
Poppy from Facebook 😋🌸
thanks so much Poppy Mary :)
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals you are welcome 🌹
Oh I love it. Do we need to coat the inside with a sealant?
Thanks Colleen, given the very useful info someone else posted above, yes, if you were planning on using it as an actual flowerpot, then sealing it on the inside, to prevent it from absorbing too much water is probably a good idea. If however you are simply using it as a decorative pot or a desk tidy, then it is completely up to you. It would of course give a good finish, but I am quite happy with mine being unsealed :) So completely your choice, and make sure you use something suitable for sealing terracotta :)
Thanks Fiona. I've attempted to decorate terra cotta but they weren't very good. I've hidden them in the back of my plant table!
Oh no, I am sure they are better than you think !! :)
I notice that you bake several times for different steps. Doesn't that bake the previous bakes more? Thanks for your time.your wonderful
You can re-bake polymer clay multiple times with no problems. In fact the longer you bake the clay for, the stronger it becomes. It is the temperature that is the important thing, not the length of time it bakes, or how often. I hope that helps? :)
I'm new to clay making I would like to know if there was a pacific reason why you baked it in all the stages in stead of baking all together at the end?
The only reason is the practicality of handling something so much. The more you try to add at any time, the more likely it is to become distorted, marked, scratched, have finger marks in etc. It is a good question though, as I have become so used to doing things in stages because of this that I forget to mention why I am doing it to others, so thanks for the reminder :) I hope that helps :)
I had 1 little ceramic pot. I slipped on the porch and went sprawling. Pot in shards! I am a bit bruised. Very lucky dont want to break anything at this age. Have to wait till i get a new pit now
Oh no Annelie, I am so sorry to hear that, feel better soon :)
Where can I buy this measuring mat you have?
Here is one example of where it is, so you can copy the details and check out who currently has the best offers on it :) Glass cutting Board - X Cut, search under glass, cutting, mat - www.amazon.co.uk/Xcut-13-inch-Tempered-Glass-Cutting/dp/B009W9BOGO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1550664510&sr=1-2&keywords=glass+cutting+mat
I have a paper box that I want to decorate. Will I be able to decorate my box with the clay and bake, or do I have to bake the pieces separately and then glue them on?
Not wanting to be too unspecific, but it really depends on the box, and how able the paper is to be baked at the same temperature as the clay. I would recommend tenting the box in aluminium foil (so that the box sits inside a cocoon of the foil, not that the foil touches/covers the box) and baking it first to check. Keep an eye on it all the time, as you don't want the box to burn. If it is fine, then it will be fine to cover in clay. Have you seen the polymer clay box tutorial I did? as if not, that may give some helpful tips too :) th-cam.com/video/wcdbtYnLctg/w-d-xo.html
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals I have seen the box! That's what gave me the idea. I just have a box laying around and thought I could decorate that as a practice run.
I will do as you suggested and let you know how it goes! Thank you for replying ❤️
@@TheFraggler You are welcome, I will keep my fingers crossed it all goes to plan :)
Can you add plastic or glass beads into polymer clay for little dots?
Glass absolutely, with plastic ones I would check them separately in the oven first to see if they will bake okay, if not, leave a hollow for them, and glue them in afterwards :)
Is PVA glue a food alternative to bake and bond?
PVA is not as good as bake and bond, or the liquid clays, but I always mention it so that people who don't have them can still have a go at my projects :) without having to go and buy what can be quite expensive additional glues. It does work at creating a bond, but it is just not as good or strong as the mediums made especially for those jobs :) I hope that helps? :)
Do you need to do the tracing paper at the begining
No of course not Ben, this was only to be a helpful guide later on if you wanted a quick and easy way to evenly space your design elements around your pot :)
I am from the USA, what is an equivalent to PVA glue here? Thank you
Is PVA glue same as Elmer's Glue?
Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVA, PVAc, poly(ethenyl ethanoate): best known as wood glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, school glue, Elmer's glue in the US, or PVA glue) is an aliphatic rubbery synthetic polymer with the formula (C4H6O2)n.
I've had issues using the school grade white glue, but I've not had any issues of using a washable wood glue. Just be careful to make sure you find one that dries clear.
Yes, as the comments above say, it is the sort of school glue that isn't particularly sticky, but it just creates enough of a primer coat on the pot to be able to help the polymer clay to adhere really well :)
@@gyllenhaalic66 I'm just reading the ingredients on my pva glue (aka school or craft glue) here in Australia & it's just as u asked... Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) & Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc). Sounds same as Elmer's Glue.
Sadly my white never stays white... I get a blend but no white band... :( Am I using too little white? Am I folding wrong?
I am assuming you mean in a Skinner Blend ? Don't cut right to the ends in the diagonal, but leave a margin of each pure colour on either side. Then you will get a blend, but still have some of each original colour showing through. It can also depend on the brand of clay you are using. Have you seen my Skinner Blend tut? Here is the link - th-cam.com/video/Ad0KmwKyVx8/w-d-xo.html - I hope that helps a bit :)
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals
It's the skinner blend, yes, sorry.
Thank you for the link, I will check your video out... I copied you completely... leaving that margin, and it happened with both the flower and leaf blends. What I ended up with I've used, as it's okay, but my pink, white & blue flowers are nothing like what you have :(
I'm using Fimo soft clay at the present, though will invest in some Sculpey as funds allow. I used Sculpey way back in the mid/ late 90s in a previous life so I know I can trust it. I was given some Magicfly, but that's very sticky, so I mix it with another, more firm, gift set which helps, but I can't put anything too sticky through the pasta machine.
Incidentally, how do you clean your machine? I'm using a bottle brush as I turn the handle.
Thank you for your reply :)
@@ladycroft7571 If my blends have completley run out of the colour I want at the ends, I cut off a little diagonal slice, and add a larger slice of the colour I want - white - in, then reblend a couple of times - that usually works :) It may well be the clay you are using rather then you doing anything differently to me. Sadly some of the generic clays do not mix/blend/cane in the same way that the recognised brands do. :( I have a particular method I use to clean my machine, which is difficult to explain. I have had it down as a video to do for some time now, maybe I ought to bump it up my 'to do' list ;) I hope your next blends are better for you :)
@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals Thank you... I will try that. I'll also use these packs of 'sticky' clay for moulds or even scrap and bulking... trying to make tiny eyes for example is both difficult and frustrating... but the MagicFly and other mixed pack were gifts...
I'll keep practising with the blends :)
Now I've gotta go buy some pots! 😂
Brilliant, have fun :)
Sculpey Souffle is my favorite clay ! Great job, as always, lady ! :)
thanks so much :)
I would love to work with clay do you have a class I do better doing on hand then to each I would to learn
I no longer do one to one classes, but where ever you are based there is probably a local group you could join who will have loads of experience between them. I do know what you mean, and can definitley recommend doing a face to face tutorial with an experienced tutor if you get a chane. Although it may mean travelling to see them. Good luck 🙂
Fiona I got today my pasta machine I had a 50% off at Michaels so I payed 15$ this the beginning i thought it could b expensive but thank God for 50% off at Michaels . I'll send u pics but I'm truly interested in that tiger piece u made
fantastic , you will have such fun with it. When you say interested in the Tiger piece, did you mean to buy? If that is what you meant, just send me a message through the contact box on my website (www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk ) and we can chat. If not, no worries I just didn't want to ignore you comment :)
Thanks for another great tutorial!
I can verify that half the pots don't last through a Pennsylvania, USA winter, so don't try that here. :-) The polyclay has no trouble with it...the clay, however, shatters, so store it indoors. Polyclay adornments, hangers, and whatnot on plastic pots do just fine even in freezing conditions.
Plastic pots are better but don't do very well in the oven...
Thanks, yes it was the pots themselves that I was thinking of, rather than the polymer, but I will give it a go anyway, and see what happens ;) thanks so much for the helpful info :)
oo
Thank you :)
👂❤😊 Some day I will understand what you are talking about... 👍🐍❤🌼
hopefully Lilly ;)
Don't use this as an actual flower pot. I spent much time making a fairy scene on a pot. Regular watering caused pieces to fall off until all were gone. 😥
Oh no, how sad, good to know Pam :) I will probably have the same results then, so I may put my worst one only outside with an actual plant in, and I can quote you and your experience as well, when I replicate your results :)
Before using a decorated terra cotta pot as a plant pot, it is very important to thorough seal the inside of the pot with PVA or an even stronger sealant as water will seep through the porous pot. So sorry that happened to you. Are you able to salvage it at all?
@@sandrasmale5871 thank you both for your very helpful comments. I have amended my Video description to reflect your experiences, and will continue to experiment over time, to see which methods, if any allow for the pots to be used to hold earth and flowers directly. :)