White deco

With calendar and tree leaves falling like swept by the October winds, the images of Cinnamon, Glüwein, Hot chocolate, Warm blankets, Rocking chair by the Fire appear to be more and more tangible. A year ago I found, of course, quite accidentally – a good tradition I keep about the fortuities in my life – a creator who inspired me to bring my decorating skills on a higher level. Let me present to you, ladies and gentlemen, Jane Means. A famous British ribbon designer and gift wrapping expert, Jane impressed me with her huge charity initiatives and training classes all over the world. Her spot on internet is The Kingdom of Wonders to me. Have a look here:

As I was mastering gift wrapping the Jane’s style, using her book, various tissue papers, fabrics and ribbons, I decided to add something genuinely mine to the gift boxes, Christmas cards and all kind of seasonal decorations. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t invented the clay decos. But it was I who stamp my own “signature” on them to create an individuality of each piece.

The modelling clay I prefer is a ready to use, air dries hard and puddling it between the watered palms of my hands takes all the tension at the end of the day away. Once it is soft enough, I’m using a rolling pin to roll out the clay sheet I’ll be working on.

The thickness of the clay sheet depends exclusively on your taste. Yet, a thinner sheet will make your decorations breakable. I suggest 3 to 5 mm thickness of the sheet. Don’t worry about the measures, your eyes will instantly recognize the 5 mm. Isn’t it amazing!

Let your imagination step into the room. The cutting moulds you use for your cookies will be of great help here. If not, you could always use your fingers and make a shabby piece. You may also want to use prints while the clay is still soft. Any kind of lace will do. Stamps of all kind, even the coins in your pocket. In case you have provided strings to hang or stich your decoration, now is the time to gently make a hole for the ribbon. Use a stick. Feel free to play and create your miniatures.

It’s time to let you work sit in the air and dry. Don’t be hasty to dry them in the oven. Even if the heath is on the low position, you may end up having your decorations dried unevenly and become folded ends. You don’t want this. So prepare your favourite hot drink and go with the seasonal emotion. Play some good music. Watch the wind outside twirling the fallen leaves and listen to the sound of cracking wood in the fireplace. Isn't it the cosiest time of the year! Warm hugs are in the air.

The Final touch…Once dried, I’m very keen to use ancient patina paste or bronzing paste, both available at crafts and arts materials shops, to give a tender fine tuning. If you happen to not like a lot how the edges have dried, you can smooth them with a fine file or sand paper. This presumes having a file sacrificed for this purpose only. Now, set to go, you can use glitter, attach small particles, golden dust…anything you like. I prefer to have my clay deco in the simple white Nordic style. This allows me to have more details on my handmade Christmas card or gift wrapping.

Of course, I always have some pieces left. You could use a bowl and decorate with cones, pine twigs and ribbons and just sit your clay deco here and there in the bowl. This will make a lovely compliment for your festive table. Voila! You have an instant and easy, elegant and exquisite partner for the candles you would definitely light in a winter’s night.

Thank you for being a part of my Long time before Christmas-tale!

Last, but not least...
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