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!

Buttons

I love buttons! I'm not really sure why though. I don't sew and really have no use for buttons...well, other than the ones that come sewn onto my shirts, pants, jackets, etc. Maybe it stems from my childhood. My Mom always had buttons....and zippers, fabric and threads. She was, and still is, a top notch seamstress and quilter. So I guess that's why I love these things today.

I've made quite a few buttons in the last couple years. Unique buttons that you just can't find in any fabric and notions store. But my attention turned towards other things in my creative journey and buttons were put on the back burner. That is until yesterday! I'm thrilled with how these latest ones turned out. Take a look at how they came to be......

I first made a Klimt cane (the small square thing on the tile with my blade) with these colors then decided to make one long thin string with the remainder of the clay.

First step, choosing and blending colors. Then rolling the colors into sheets, cutting out circles, stacking the colors in random order and pushing them through the clay extruder (not an easy task!).

After I had a long thin strand of clay I began making coils and placing them on a sheet of clay. Doesn't look very exciting at this point, does it?

What happened to all my colors?  The orange ? The yellow?

Next came the tricky part. Shaving away the top of the coils, careful not to cut too deep. This requires both a sharp blade and lots of patience!

There they are! Hidden inside the coils.

I was so happy with the way it turned out. So happy, in fact, that I almost hated to cut it! But finally I just did it having faith that it would work out.  I strategically cut out different sizes. I didn't want to waste any more of this design than I had to. I placed my buttons in the oven to cure, giddy with excitement about the way they were looking....

Then came the next step......sanding! Ugh, I hate sanding!!! I despise sanding!!! I loathe the thought of sanding!!! Okay, you get the picture..... but, it had to be done.

Blah! Did I mention I HATE sanding!

A rare glimpse of me. Sitting at the bathroom sink, SANDING!

Here's the result!!! Oh, and what the pictures can't show is how they feel. So super smooth, I could just hold them in my hand and rub them!!! I know, that sounds a little weird, huh? But all of that sanding makes such a difference!

The 4 large ones are 1". There are 5, 3/4" ones, one 5/8" and the smallest one is 1/2".

These, along with some other newly made, equally fab buttons, will be listed for sale soon in my Etsy shop. I have plans for some other, totally different, BIG buttons too. So be on the look out for those soon. If you're a button lover like me, you won't want to miss them!