Faux Carnival Glass
Design by Patty Barnes

• Premo Translucent 5310 (2 bars)
• Jacquard’s Pinata Inks
• Jacquard’s Pearl-Ex Powders: Interference, lavender, blue, gold
• Stainless Steel ceramic rib tool
• Texture Sheets (Scratch-Art carries many motifs); you may also use a deeply cut rubber stamp
• Jones Tones Imitation Foils (Swirl design used here)
• Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS)

Instructions:

• Condition 2 bars of Premo translucent or 4 ounces of Premo Translucent with Bleach. Make a sheet about 1/8" thick or your thickest pasta machine setting. (NOTE: Premo Translucent with Bleach is only available through Clay Factory of Escondido 760-741-3242)
  
• Spread 2 drops of Pinata Purple Passion ink over the clay. Let dry.

• Fold the clay sheet with the inked side inside and run it through the pasta machine to blend the color into the clay. This will take several times of refolding and rolling through the pasta machine to completely color the clay. (Note: A tiny amount of purple Premo can be used to tint the clay if you choose. I like the transparency of the ink.)

• Place the tinted sheet of clay on deli tissue, copy paper or waxed paper.

• Use the Jones Tones "swirl" (oil slick) foil by placing the colored side up on the sheet of clay. Burnish the sheet with the edge of a credit card or a ceramic steel "rib".
  

• RIP the foil clear carrier sheet off in one swift pull. The color will now be on the clay. Gently remove the deli tissue or paper from the back of the clay.

• Select a plastic texture sheet. (I used a circular lacy sheet from the Fancy set by Sax Arts & Crafts. I had to trim the excess plastic from the edges to allow it to go through my Atlas 180 pasta machine. Other texture sheets could be used.)

• Place the foiled clay with the foiled side against the surface of the texture sheet and run it through the pasta machine on the widest setting. No cornstarch is necessary as the foil acts as a release. (NOTE: Texture can also be applied to the foiled side of the clay by placing the texture sheet on the clay and using a brayer or acrylic rod. Be sure to place the clay on deli tissue or paper to keep it from sticking to your work surface. Alternatively, a deeply cut rubberstamp may also be used to create texture.)

• Trim around the outside edge of the texture pattern now on the clay with an X-acto knife. Decorative edged scissors can be used instead.

• Flip the textured sheet of clay over and apply PearlEx Powders to the surface with a soft brush. I used Duo Red-Blue, Interference Gold and Interference Blue. Select powders that repeat the colors of the foil for the most realistic look. Be sure to apply PearlEx to the cut edges also.

• Gently press the decorated sheet of clay into either a metal or glass bowl or over a light bulb to shape it into a bowl. If you use a bowl, you can either place it on the inside or outside depending upon the diameter you want. (If on the outside of a bowl, make sure it has no "foot or rim".)

• If using the light bulb, then place a layer of polyester fiber fill into a larger bowl and place the clay covered light bulb inside. This will help the clay retain its bowl shape.

• Bake the clay for a full 30 minutes at 275 degrees F. Let cool and remove the bowl or bulb. Be certain to calibrate your oven or toaster oven with an external thermometer. Adjust dial up or down until it holds at 275 degrees F.
  
• If you want a foot for your bowl, you can add one from the scraps remaining when you cut out the texture shape. A 1/2" wide strip folded in half lengthwise to make a 1/4" strip can be attached to the bottom by sticking the cut edge to the bowl. This can be done before the first baking or added later by brushing on some TLS and then pressing the strip to the bottom and re-baking.

Note: Faux Carnival glass can be used to hold wrapped candies, decorative glass marbles, or other small items such as decorative soaps. It should not be used with unwrapped food. A sealant is not necessary, but a coating of your favorite glaze can be added.