Thursday, September 15, 2011

Clay flower cobochons: A tutorial

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I know what you are thinking. This is gonna be good. A tutorial. From me. And this will not disappoint.

We have all seen these cute little flower 'cabochons' all over blogland. I really wanted some. But I did not want to buy them ready made. No, that would have been too easy. And then I would have felt like what I was making with them was not really handmade. No offense to those of you who buy these type of supplies. I am strange in that way.  

After some looking around I found out that there are molds to make these things. Etsy has tons of shops that sell these. This is the shop that I used. They had a pretty good selection and it is a husband/wife team that hand-make the molds. I think that is really cool. The mold I bought was $6.50 which I think is pretty good. And it came really fast.

I really wanted to make earrings, rings, and hairpins for my Etsy shop. I found some hair pin blanks on Ebay. I am blessed to have a mother-in-law who used to own a bead shop so that is where I got my earring posts. I have yet to buy any ring blanks:( Baby steps.

So, enough background and on with the tutorial. Here is what you need:
  • Earring, ring, or hairpin blanks
  • Sculpey or Fimo oven bake clay
  • Flower mold
  • E6000 or similar glue
  • Cookie sheet to bake on
  • Oven




The end result is so super pretty. I love how they look.
Here are the earrings.

The hair pins are just as pretty

This was such an easy craft to do and the results were great. I did let the glue dry all day before I touched them too much.

One little pointer though, make sure that you flatten out the bottom before you pop it out of the mold or you will end up with this:

 Not a very good earring. I will be wearing this one. I would not want to sell something that was not closer to perfect.

I will be linking up at the parties on my sidebar and Here at I'm Crafty Party

18 comments:

Kids craft ideas said...

Great tutorial. THanks for sharing

Sewandthecity said...

This is fantastic! Sewing is my passion but I am always looking for other forms of craft and this is going to be next on my list...Thanks for the tutorial. I am your newest follower.

Anna @ Blissful Whimsy said...

Where'd you find these flower molds???

Etcetorize said...

What a coincidence, I came across the molds on Etsy recently too and I think I bought the same one as you. Who knew making cobochons was so easy!

Unknown said...

Very cute! I've never worked with clay but would like to try it someday!

Carrie said...

You left a comment on my site, and I came over to check out your site. Wow! Super impressed with your earrings! I can't wait to show my mom - she'll love 'em too!
-Carrie

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

Would LOVE for you to come buy and link this up at my new diy fashion linky party called DIY Diva Thursdays! LOVE this tutorial :)

Visiting from TT&J!

Kara
www.mineforthemaking.com

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

Those turned out great!

Jacqueline said...

I've always wondered how they make these! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Love! Featuring this on my blog Wednesday! www.johnnyinadress.com Have a wonderful week!

Lindsay said...

Awesome! I just ordered one from Etsy! Thanks for the 'how-to'! I'd love for you to share this at Show & Share on Wednesday!

Jamie said...

Love these! I am totally going to try this. I'm glad you liked my aromatherapy bags...crazy how simple they are! And I love that they are just little simple pillowcases :)

Anonymous said...

WOW Toyna! Those are awesome...I agree with you, why buy just one pair when you can make like 500 of them:) Thanks for the super nice comment on my Vera Bradley necklaces. That made my dat!!!
Heather from A Revived Life

Anonymous said...

Opps...Day...It made my Day. Geez!
Heather from A Revived LIfe

Seaweed and Raine said...

I wondered how they were made. Thanks for the link to the molds! :)

Anonymous said...

This is great! I was thinking how it's a big stinker to have to go and buy the flowers...now one can make the flowers and in the colors of their choice. Anyways, thank you for sharing this ;)

Chelsea said...

Wow, I had no idea I could do this myself! Possibilities! I found you through Bacon Time Linky Party and I'm glad I did, now following!
-Chelsea @ http://kiss-my-brass.blogspot.com/

Lisa said...

Just make sure not to poke yourself with the pin.

lisa

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