How To Make A Hibiscus

I have been working on a custom order this week making some hibiscus pendants in several different colors. I made my first hibiscus as a special request for a customer because it was one of her favorite flowers. It has never been one of my favorite ones to make. But! as I was working on them this week I came up with a different way to put them together than what I was doing and now I am enjoying making them. :) Yay! So, I just thought I would share my newly found process on how to make a polymer clay Hibiscus Pendant.

As with every pendant/focal I make, I begin with scrap clay. I have decided that this pendant will take the amount of clay of one 40mm circle and one 30mm circle of clay rolled on #1 of my Atlas Pasta Machine.

Smoosh the two circles together and roll into a smooth ball.

I take my petal cane and cut off several slices then run them through
my pasta machine on #5 or so.

Then use the flattened slices to cover the ball.

Roll it smooth.

Flatten the ball into about a 1/4" thick disk.

Using a rounded end of a tool or pen? make a crater in the center.
Insert bails. (I use the plastic from a bacon package to build my flowers on)

Cut five petals from your cane. (about 2-3mm thick)

Flatten out a bit with your finger tips then lay the petal in your hand.

I use a moistened nightlight bulb to rub across the petal to flatten it a bit more and
smooth it out.

Make waves or scallops around the edge of each petal by pinching and twisting a bit.

Over lap the side edges of the petals lightly pressing to get them to stick together.

When you get to the last petal, tuck it under the edge of the first petal to
complete the circle.

Center your circle of petals on top of your base making sure you have them
arranged in the way you want them.

Using the end of a tool or pen push the center of your petals down into the
crater you made in the base.
Gently press your petals down onto the base.

Make a pistil and put the end in the hole you made in the center arranging it the way you want.

Finished Hibiscus Pendant ready to be cured.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. The techniques I used to make the petal cane may be found in many places online. Here is a great link: Donna Kato Petal Cane

blessings, ZudaGay