Autumn Leaves Vessels n' Votives

Autumn Leaves Vessels 'n Votives Materials: Premo! Sculpey in the following colors: Green Pearl 5299 Gold 5303 Copper 5018 Red Pearl 5259 Dedicated Pasta Machine X-Acto or Excel Craft Knifes Glass votives, bottles, or other vessels Small to large fresh maple, oak, ivy, or other veined leaves Directions: Condition Green Pearl and Gold Clays. Use a #1 setting on your pasta machine. Cut equal size 90 degree triangles of each color. This is in preparation to making a Skinner Blend of the two colors. (The Skinner Blend results in a gradation of colors from light to dark and creates beautiful depth; the Blend was developed by Judith Skinner.
Fold the bottom of the joined triangles up to the top. Insert the folded bottom into the pasta machine, keeping it in the same orientation when it comes out of the rollers.
Fold the bottom up again, and insert the folded bottom into the pasta machine. Repeat 20 times until the blend is smooth and complete from green to olive to gold.
When the blend is complete, run the blended clay through the pasta machine on a #3 setting. Repeat the blend technique with the Copper and Red Pearl clays.
Place a fresh leaf onto the blended clay. Carefully smooth it into place, vein side down. Brayer or roll the leaf into the clay. With the leaf still on the clay, trim around the leaf with the X-Acto or Excel blade. Repeat as many times as desired.
When you have cut all of your leaves out of the clay, begin to lay them onto your vessel, overlapping if desired or you may leave areas of glass uncovered for an interesting look. Press them firmly onto the glass. It will adhere easily. Several varieties of leaves will lead to an interesting effect. Be certain to cover the bottom of the vessel, overlapping the leaves for effect and texture.
If your votive or bottle has a lid, cover the lid with the blended clay and trim the bottom evenly. Use a leather tool, or simple, deeply cut rubber stamp to texturize the edge of the lid. Place a couple of tiny leaves on the top of the bottle lid if desired
Bake at 275 degrees F (130 degrees C) in oven or toaster oven for 20 minutes per 1/4" of thickness. Let cool completely. NOTE: This technique can be used to create or decorate many items, including terra cotta pots, small cans, etc. Vary the thickness of the clay leaves (make them thicker) for larger sized vessels, if desired. NOTE: Sculpey III may also be used. Because it is more brittle than Premo, make your leaves thicker, and handle carefully.