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.)
you'll need 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)
