Vegetable Vessels
Designer - Karen Nicholson of Albany, NY
Materials:
- Creative Paperclay® modeling material
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Plastic knife, Xx-acto knife, or other cutting tool
- Acorn squash, mini pumpkin, gourd, apple, etc.
- Heat tool
- Lumiere paints by Jacquard
- Paint brush
- Acrylic sealer
- Optional embellishments: beads, metal leaf, charms, feathers, gems, etc.
Procedure:
- Choose a hard squash or fruit that will stand up by itself. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- Working on a smooth, clean surface, roll the Paperclay® into a circle between two layers of plastic wrap until it is almost paper thin. The amount of Paperclay® you will need depends on the size of your squash. Start with approximately 2 ounces. If your squash is heavy (some acorn squash), reinforce the center of the circle where the squash will rest with a second thin layer of Paperclay®.
- Remove the top layer of plastic wrap and place the squash in the center. Make several slices in the Paperclay® from the edge of the squash to the edge of the circle.
- Lifting one "petal" of Paperclay® at a time, press it tightly against the squash. Allowing for a small overlap, remove excess Paperclay® and press the seam smooth with your fingers where the "petals" join. Continue all the way around the squash.
- Using an embossing heat tool or hair dryer, carefully heat the outside of the vessel until it is dry to the touch (just a few minutes). Be careful not to melt the plastic wrap.
- Carefully loosen the plastic wrap on the squash, and remove the squash from the vessel. The vessel will stand on its own. Do not worry if the Paperclay® rips a bit - it is still moist enough to repair after the squash has been removed.
- Carefully remove the plastic wrap from the inside of the vessel. Gently smooth the inside of the seams. Use the heat tool to dry the inside.
- The vessel can be dried completely with the heat tool, or be left overnight to dry.
- When the Paperclay® is dry, paint the vessel with Lumiere paints. If desired, add beads or other embellishments.
- Let dry, and spray with an acrylic sealer.