(no subject)

[libidiny.livejournal.com]

hi. im new to this community. my name is nicole. its been a long time since ive really felt any creative urges, probably even longer since ive actually acted on those urges and tried to make something. i like to make things for people i care about..namely little boxes out of clay. ive been seeing my boyfriend for 8 months now, and in that time, ive tried on several occasions to make him a box that was worthy of possessing. ive held off on giving him one because i wanted to it be perfect.

well, the other night i set to it again, and started creating. full of romantic inspiration,this is what i came up with:







the box is made from an unfinished wooden box covered in clay. i use rubber stamps to create the impression on the box, and beads to embellish it.







after its done baking, i take it out and go to work with various kinds of pigment powders and metallic rub ons. antiquing gel and varnish gives it an aged look that i thoroughly enjoy. i usually paint the inside too, and line it with felt.

the whole process takes about 4 hours..thats why there are less than 4 people i've actually made one of these for.

but after this was finished, i decided that yes..this will be the box for him, it's as perfect as i think its going to get. i was kinda curious what some of you might think of it? opinions?

and also, if theres anyone else here who works with polymer clay..i kinda have some trouble when its baking, because it rises off the box resulting in cracks when it shrinks back down sometimes. does anyone know how i can prevent this?