Last week, I shared a tutorial on how to create polymer clay succulents without using a mold. If you haven’t checked out that tutorial yet, you can find that in the above link.
I decided to create a two part blog for this topic because the post was getting too long, so this week I’m showing you the follow up: how to make a polymer clay succulent using a mold.
Supplies:
- Fimo gemstone clays
- Succulent mold
- Exacto knife
- Chalk pastels
- Small brush to apply powders
Step 1: Making the succulent
Take a piece of your clay just big enough to fit into your mold. I like to roll mine into a fat cylinder shape. Then, I’ll stuff it into the mold and start pushing it into the crevices. It’s good to take a minute to really push the clay into your mold and make sure you’re filling all the little areas with clay. Fimo is a particularly stiff brand of clay, so warming up and conditioning your clay right before molding gives the best chance at filling the mold completely.
Note: If you need more clay, you can add more on top, but if this isn’t done right you may see a seam in your piece where the original clay and the added clay meet. You can also trim off excess clay, but this is easier done on individual molds where you don’t have to worry about cutting into other parts of the mold around your piece. It’s best to find out how much clay you’ll need with a test first, and then remove all of the clay and prepare it for the final molding.
Step 2: Cool it off and demold
To help the clay pop out of the mold easier. you can put it in the fridge or freezer to cool down the clay. This will make it less flexible so it won’t just bend with the mold when you go to pop out the clay. Depending on the size of your mold, 10 to 15 minutes should do the trick.
Then you’ll want to slightly bend your mold, putting pressure underneath your piece to push it out.
Step 3: Trim your piece
I found this to be a helpful step to create a cleaner piece. Using the exacto knife, carefully trim off any unwanted edges that may have been created at the bottom of your piece (or the top of your mold).
Step 4: Brush with chalk pastels
Shave your chalk pastels onto your work surface. You can use reference photos to decide what colors to use; I used orange for my blue clay, dark purple for my green clay, and a dark pink for my pink clay.
Dipping your brush in some of the chalk, hold your succulent at an angle so you’re just brushing the edges of your succulent leaves. For the baby toes, dust the tops of each little “leaf.” I also dusted the very top of the middle simplified leaf.
Step 5: Bake
Once you’re happy with how your succulent looks, you’re ready to bake according to your clay package’s instructions.
Similarly to last week, I recommend leaving these unglazed so they look the most natural.
And here’s a comparison of what the molded and handmade succulents look like next to each other.
There are certainly arguments to using either method. There are many creators who take great pride in not using molds to create their sculptures. I try to make what I can myself, but I’ve also created molds of my own sculpted pieces (like leaves and flowers) as it does make things faster and consistent. It also takes a lot of stress off of my hands.
What do you think? Do you have a preferred method?
I love the mini succulents you’ve shown! Where did you get your succulent flower mold? Will you please post a link?
Hello Lauren,
So sorry with the delay in responding! this is the link to the mold: https://www.etsy.com/listing/600777124/miniature-succulents-mold-diy-terrarium.
It looks like the shop is on a break currently, but Etsy has a lot of great silicone molds! You should definitely be able to find something similar 🙂