Embossing Folders and Polymer Clay Buttons

I have been so busy with some big (well, big for me anyway) custom orders the past few weeks that I haven't had time to play. But all of that changed yesterday. I finally had an afternoon free to do what I wanted to do.

I bought an embossing folder some time ago and was really itching to use it. Wait? What? An embossing folder? Yep, you heard right. An embossing folder. Now you may ask, "What the heck is an embossing folder?" Well, let me explain...

Spellbinders - Flowers and Leaves embossing folder

Embossing folders are just that. A plastic folder you use to emboss a design onto paper, usually card stock, to make cards and such. They have a design on each side, negatives of each other, that match up perfectly when its closed.

This is a paper that I embossed with my folder.

Now if you are a card maker these folders are great tools to have around. But just because I don't craft with paper doesn't mean I can't have fun playing with them. So here's what I did with mine.

I made buttons!

I used my paper embossing folder to make buttons!

For these buttons I used the side of the folder that gave a raised design.

I used the other side of the folder for these buttons. The design is stamped into the clay.

Experimenting with some different effects. Plus, there are so many other possibilities!

If you are interested in trying this for yourself the only thing to remember to do is to use some sort of a release. I sprayed a little water on the folder before pressing the clay into it. You could probably use cornstarch, baby powder or baking soda too. But I found that a little spritz of water was all that was needed. And don't actually close the folder onto your clay, the way you would paper. Just use one side at a time. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments below.

I'm really loving the look of these buttons. And I'm going to be on the look out for more embossing folders with different designs. Sounds like an excuse to go to the craft store!