Decorated Box
Clay Casting Project
Create a unique handmade gift of a beautiful treasure box
adorned with painted clay castings of Rycraft’s design “Angel Singing.”
Materials Needed
1 Rycraft cookie stamp or craft stamp each: #251 – Angel Singing
Clay – we recommend Creative Paperclay® which is non-toxic and air dries to a paintable white
7 clay castings* #251 – Angel Singing (see Basic Clay Casting Instructions)
Sandpaper or emery board
Wood box (new or used)
Acrylic primer
Acrylic paints: deep purple, white or light purple, lavender
Rub ‘n Buff®, foam brush or Spouncer by PLAID®, soft cloth
Pencil
White glue or tacky glue
Varnish (optional)
*Note: Alternately, the casting for this project may be made from paper instead of clay (see Basic Paper Casting Instructions).
Instructions
1. While clay is still wet, trim close to each angel design with a knife. Note: You may want to use fewer or more angels depending on the size of your box. Let dry.
2. Sand rough areas smooth on castings as well as on box as needed.
3. Apply a coat of primer to the front of all castings. Apply primer to box if it is unfinished.
4. Place one angel cutout in the center of the box top, and arrange the other 6 angels around it. Draw pencil lines on the box top to mark the locations of the bottom of the 6 angels, then remove the angels.
5. Use the pencil to connect the 6 markings on the box lid to form a hexagon. Apply deep purple paint to this hexagonal shape as a background for the center angel. Let dry.
6. Paint all 7 angels deep purple. Let dry.
7. Add white paint to the deep purple to make a lighter purple (or use a premixed color), and paint inside the angels’ halos, the sleeves, and upper part of gowns.
8. Apply Rub ‘n Buff® to angels and to top surface of box and some areas on the sides.
9. Glue the angels onto the box.
10. Optional: Place decorative dots of lavender between the angels.
11. Optional: Apply a coat of varnish and let dry.
