Saturday, October 9, 2010

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

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial, ZudaGay! I happen to love Hibiscus flowers...so beautiful especially against the Arizona sunset! I will have to try this...thanks for sharing!

FabricFascination said...

I loved watching this beautiful little flower come together. You make it look easy.

Judi said...

What a terrific tutorial, Zuda! -- and a gorgeous Hibiscus!

Fused Glass said...

I agree Great Tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

Zuda Gay Pease said...

Thank you so much! I was hoping that it makes sense!

Guadelupe, if you decide to make a hibiscus, please let me see, okay? :)

Nuvofelt said...

Wonderful tutorial, Zuda.

MYSAVIOR said...

Zuda - I don't think I will be working with polymer clay anytime soon but I have the utmost love and respect for your work. Truly amazing.

♥♥♥
Sue

Colours and Textures said...

Wow, thanks for sharing this. The flower is lovely and teh tutorial is well explained and illustrated.

Julie G. said...

Zuda, this is wonderful. I remember a week or 2 saying "I wish I could watch you make something"! Very interesting and really enjoyed 'watching' you make this hibiscus. WE have LOTs of hibiscus plants in S. TX.

treasurefield said...

BEAUTIFUL!! And you make it look doable. So nice of you to share, and I love your tips to use a bacon pkg and lightbulb!

Julz said...

Thank you for sharing your techniques, Zuda...it looks so easy when you do it!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Zuda. You are so generous. Thank you.

Liz said...

Zuda, it's fascinating to see how you make your flowers:) Thank you for sharing...

Marijke said...

thanx for the tutorial! | really want to try this out some day!

Marijke
(http://www.aclayzylife.com)

Christie Cottage said...

Cool! I just ebtered your giveaway many times! LOL

I was so excited because I couldn't win when I hosted your giveaway! LOL

Have a wonderful day!

<><
http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

jstinson said...

Great tutorial. But I think you have a touch that can't be taught! It is called talent. I want to win!

Melanie said...

Wow... I don't think I could ever do this, but I LOVE seeing your process and how you work! I had now idea how you came out with these gorgeous flowers!

Thanks for sharing!

pfd said...

Wow! All I can say is wow! I loved seeing how you make your creations. You won't have to worry about me becoming your competitor... I was overwhelmed with the amount of work you put in them. (guess I said a little more than wow?)

F-Rose said...

oh my god it's so beautiful

fab said...

superbe création....
merci pour le tuto .... BRAVO
fabienne

Anonymous said...

MErveilleux.... beautifull ...
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO !
Thank's for the tutorial...
Marykot

Anonymous said...

What a perfect, beautiful flower! Thank you for sharing your method :-)
Carrie

Pam said...

This is the perfect tutorial. I just made a clay necklace from hibiscus leaf impressions. It turned out really nice and I thought a hibiscus flower as a pendant would really make it complete. This looks totally doable. Thanks so much

Pam said...

Wow - this was much easier than I thought. I have a red hibisbus in the oven. Never made one before and I am very pleased with the results. Thanks so much

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