Nature Finds: Making Imprint Keepsakes

Remember the beachy feel of summer all year long, by making these imprint coasters and a dish (for jewellery etc.)

Materials

• Air dry clay (you can buy this at art or craft supply stores)
• A circle cookie cutter OR old glass and butter knife
• Things to make imprints (leaves, sea shells, twigs etc.)
• Rolling pin
• Clay board, laminated placemat or craft tray
• Smock

Optional Supplies

• Exterior grade Modge Podge
• Felt protectors (what you put on the bottom of furniture- you could also glue on felt pieces instead)

Directions

• Go out on a nature walk and collect things to make imprints with (sea shells, twigs, leaves etc.)

• Don your smock.

• Take out a ball of your air dry clay and knead it according to the directions on the package.

• Use your rolling pin to roll out a piece that is approximately 1 cm thick.

• Make impressions with leaves, sea shells etc.

• For the coasters we then flipped over a glass and cut around it (so that we knew it would be large enough for the bottom of the glass).  You could use a large circle cookie cutter if you have that as well.

• We then rolled the edges gently (being careful not to squeeze our design) to give them a smooth finish.

• For the dish we trimmed the edges with our knife and bent it in slightly using the curve of our hand.  You could leave it flat as well.

• Allow to dry according to the product directions (we found it took several days).

• When dry, paint your coaster and dish with a thin layer of Exterior Grade Modge Podge to protect it from moisture (according to the product directions).

• Put floor protector felt stickers (that you use on table & chair legs etc.) on the bottom of your coaster and dish (to protect table tops from getting scratched).

• Enjoy!

Purpose

• Motor skill development (kneading, rolling cutting etc.)
• This would be a great time to talk about something like how fossils are formed!

Safety Notes

• Follow the directions on the products used. (Particularly if there is product remaining as to how to store it.)
• Exercise caution when using a knife.
• Be sure to wash your materials (e.g., the brush immediately following use)