The Friesen Project:

“Steampunkery” Projects

 

Well, it’s true … we have now ventured into my very favorite of books, “Steampunkery!” I just love this book. In case you missed it, the first tutorial from this book was featured on Tuesday, make sure you get the tutorial here and get your projects posted to the FaceBook Page or the Pinterest Board.

For the complete tutorial, please see Christi’s Steampunkery Book starting on page 74 for the “Mammoth” Tutorial.

Materials:

• Christi Friesen’s Steampunkery (begins page 7)
• Your choice of polymer clay in metallics but mostly silver & pewters for the elephant (You could also use golds, bronzes, coppers, etc.)
• Steampunk gears, gadgets, & gizmos and lots of them!
• Mica Powders (Several Options – My preference is Perfect Pearl Set as they are permanent & do not require a finish due to the resin )
• Acrylic paint in a dark color to use to add an “antique” effect – my preference is brown or sienna
• Acrylic paint brush (please use a different brush for mica powders, chalks, paint, & gloss finishes)
• Baby wipes or soft sponge
• Tiny-medium sized beads and/or gemstones for eyes and embellishments
• Varnish
• Metal Craft Wire (I prefer 24-28gauge but any flexible soft wire will do)
• Sculpting tools

Making Your Steampunk-ish Mammoth

Polymer Clay Elephant Tutorial

• First, condition your clay by creating a signature “Lookat Blend” in the Christi Friesen style. GO HERE to get the instructions on creating this blend.
• Once you have created the blend that’s perfect, stripy, and “interesting” roll it into a sheet on the thickest setting of your pasta machine.
• Divide that sheet in half.
• NOTE: You will use half to make your elephant’s head and the other half for details like ears, eyes, trunk, & hair should you choose to add it.
• Roll a ball about the size of a walnut and gently flatten it to your work surface.
• Next, roll two little balls from the other sheet (about pea sized) and place them on the head.
• Insert your elephants eyes using this method.
• Now follow Christi’s Instructions in her book to make your elephants ears.
• Once you have made your elephants ears, add tusks. I’ve used quartz stick bead for my elephant, I thought they looked like ivory.
• Then make your trunk by making a tapered log and attach it.
• NOTE: It is easier to attach the trunk after you have detailed it.
• When you are done adding your Steampunk gears, gadgets, & gizmos it’s time to finish your piece.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Depending on the type of clay used (premo, sculpey, cernit, kato, or pardo): bake in the oven at 265 degrees, covered in foil or a paper tent, for approximately 45-60 minutes.
• NOTICE: Check your clay package instructions for appropriate baking times & temperatures.
• Add a antique finish to pick up the details of your gorgeous piece!
• NOTE: I used a dark brown, “Dark Umber.” It is not as harsh as black, but still adds the “punch” that my piece needed. I also added hints of a reddish brown color I made myself by combining red & light brown acrylic paints as it made a nice contrast to the copper clay I blended.
  
• Varnish this piece with a clear coat varnish, being careful not to get the varnish on any beads or cogs.
• NOTES: You do NOT have to varnish this piece if you choose not to. However, if you have used Pearl-FX powders, they will rub off over time, so varnishing your piece would help. If you have used Perfect Pearls (my favorites) they contain a built in resin and are permanent after baking. In other words, they will NEVER rub off.

My Finished Steampunk Elephant

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The Friesen Project

The Friesen Project is done in conjunction with Christi Friesen. All tutorials are retaught here with her expressed permission. Please make sure to read about the project here, and get answers to the most common FAQS here.

See you next Friesen Friday,
Until then, Happy Claying,