Craft Workshop: Making Marbled Clay Dishes

On the 26 November 2016, WahSoSimple run a private craft workshop for a group of creative friends. We made marbled clay dishes from oven baked clay and personalised the dishes by stamping on them. Some dishes were stamped with happy messages, or simply 'Merry X'mas' while many had a hint of loved ones (including cats) in them! So sweet! =)

If you are interested in having a craft workshop with your friends / colleagues / family at a birthday party or office, feel free to contact us at hello@wahsosimple.com and we will work out something fun for you. =)

Till the next blog post, craft something! =)

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Craft Workshop: Making Marbled Clay Dishes with Beauty Consultants

In late August 2016, WahSoSimple run a craft workshop with a group of beauty consultants. The craft workshop was held at the end of a 3-day meeting and ended the meeting on a fun and creative high note. We had beautiful marbled clay dishes coming out of the oven!

If you are interested in having a craft workshop with your friends / colleagues / family, feel free to contact us at hello@wahsosimple.com and we will work out something fun for you. =)

Till the next blog post, craft something! =)

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DIY Craft Kit: Marbled Clay Dish

Introducing a new DIY Craft Kit from WahSoSimple! Make your own marbled clay dish to keep your pieces of jewellery, spare change and other trinkets organised! These are so cute and easy to make. =)

Each DIY Clay Dish Kit comes with detailed instructions and all the materials you need, hence no more scrambling around for crafting supplies when the inspiration strikes.

Shop for your Marbled Clay Dish Kit here and make one for yourself or your loved ones. =)

Till the next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Earphone Cord Holder Made with Air Dry Clay

When I saw the earphone cord holder / keeper on Pinterest, I got really excited! This is exactly what I need to keep my earphone cord neat. I always squish and squash my earphone cord into a small bag and when I need it, it is almost always tangled up in knots. Then I have to spend a minute or two untangling it before I can use it. This is too much work for me. Hope my new clay earphone holder can help to keep the tangles at bay! =)

This is what I used:

• Air dry clay
• Rolling pin
• Clear sheet of transparency (or you can use any type of smooth surfaces to roll your clay on)
• Clay slicer / pen knife / cutter
• Heart-shaped cookie cutter
• Drinking straw
• Alphabet stamp
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic paint
• Tape
• Paint brush
• Paint palette

This is what I did:

1. Shape: Knead and roll the clay on the clear transparency sheet to about 3 to 5mm thick. Use the cookie cutter to cut out a heart shape. Then use the drinking straw to pierce 2 holes about 5mm away from the edge and use the cutter to cut from the holes to the edge (see picture above). Gently remove the excess clay.
2. Stamp: Use the alphabet stamps to stamp in your name or words to make your holder more interesting. This is optional.
3. Dry & Sand: Gently lift the clay off the transparency sheet and place it at a safe place for overnight drying. Let the clay dry for about 24 hours or until it becomes dry and hard. Once the clay is dry and hard, use a piece of sand paper to smooth out the rough edges, if any.
4. Paint: Paint the holder in any colour you like with the acrylic paint. I have chosen to paint one in pink and gold and the other in blue and silver. I used a piece of tape to help me keep the line between the colours neat.

 I hope you will have fun making this!

Till the next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Air Dry Clay Dish

Here's a DIY craft idea to help you stay organised! =)

Have you ever had the experience of opening up your dresser drawer and all your stuff (ear rings, bracelets, coins, keys, buttons, etc) are in an unorganised mess? And you cannot find that red bracelet that would go so well with your outfit today? Sounds familiar? I also have the same problem with my dresser top. I pile everything up and clear it up when I cannot tolerate the mess. New year resolution is to get organised so I decided to make some clay dishes to organise my stuff and make my dresser top look pretty at the same time.

Time to whip out the air dry clay that I bought months ago and my acrylic paint to make some clay dishes! This is what I used:

• Air dry clay
• Rolling pin
• Alphabet stamp and cookie cutters
• Clay slicer  (or you can use a knife)
• Clear sheet of transparency (or you can use any type of smooth surfaces)
• Small dishes (I used sauce dishes)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Paint palette
• Sandpaper

This is what I did:

1. Open up the pack of clay and take some out. Store the remaining clay in an airtight container. The clay will feel slightly wet and when it dries when you are working with it, it will stick to your finger tips. So, it will help if your fingers are slightly wet when you are kneading and rolling the clay and have a damp towel at arm's length.
2. Knead and roll the clay on the clear transparency sheet to about 3mm in thickness. Place your small dish bowl upside down over the clay and cut around the edge of the dish with the clay slicer. It will be good if you can do the cut crisp and straight so that your edges will look neat.
3. It is time to be creative! Stamp in any words that you want or use your cookie cutters to create some designs.
4. Gently lift the clay off the transparency sheet and place it into the dish. Gently push the clay into the dish until it lightly touches the bottom. Smooth the edges with your fingers. Tip: please do not push the clay too hard into the dish, it may get a bit challenging to pop it out of the dish tomorrow.
5. Let the clay dry in the dish for about 24 hours or until it becomes dry and hardens.
6. Gently pop the dried clay out of the dish. If the edges or any part of the clay dish is not smooth, sand it down with some sand paper.
7. It is time to be creative again! Paint the clay dish in any colour you want with the acrylic paint. 
8. Let the acrylic paint dry and TA-DA! you have your own clay dish now! =)

Hope you will enjoy making these clay dishes. My dresser top is certainly much neater and prettier now!

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Oven Baked Clay Gift Tags

If you like DIY crafts and baking, you will love making things with clay. Both need kneading and rolling, both need cookie cutters, both need some attention to detail and both bring smiles to people’s faces. =)

Give your gifts that extra loving care, have a handmade gift tag. 

All you need is some Sculpey II Oven-Baked Clay (any 2 colors will do), alphabet stamps, some kitchen supplies (cookie cutters, toothpick, drinking straw), some super glue and your creativity.

All you have to do:

1. Warm the clay in your hands by rolling it in your hands.
2. Using the rolling pin, roll the clay out to about 3mm in thickness. 
3. Create your tag with the alphabet stamps and kitchen supplies.
4. Place the tag onto a baking tray lined with a baking sheet or aluminum foil. 
5. Bake the tag in the oven as per the instructions on the Sculpey packaging - 130^oC or 275^oF for 15 minutes. Please do not microwave or exceed recommended temperature and baking time.
6. After the tag has cooled and hardened, super glue the parts together if needed.

If you are interested in crafting with oven baked clay, check out our Word Clay Magnet Kit at our shop. Practical and fun! 

Till the next blog post, make something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft Kit: Word Clay Magnets

Jazz up your fridge and notice boards at home or in the office with magnetic clay words! I love written messages but sometimes I like to be different and add some colors to my messages. These word clay magnets are very easy to make. =)

This is what I used:

• 2 blocks of 2-oz Sculpey Oven Bake Clay
• Alphabet stamp
• Clear plastic sheet or transparency
• Rolling pin
• Sharp cutter
• Magnet tape
• Scissors
• Superglue
• Oven

(I did not manage to take pictures while doing this batch of words, so I have used pictures from a previous project.)

This is what I did:

1. Roll the clay out on to the clear plastic sheet to about 3mm in thickness.
2. Using the magnet tape as a guide, cut out strips of clay with the sharp cutter.
3. Stamp as many words onto the clay strips as you like, cutting them out as you go along.
4. Arrange the words into a baking tray and bake the clay in the oven as per instructions on the Sculpey packaging - 130 degree Celsius or 275 degree Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. My oven is a bit hot and so I baked mine for about 12 minutes.
5. After the clay has cooled and hardened, attached the magnet tape to the back. For extra security, I put 2 tiny drops of superglue at each end of the tape to ensure that the magnet sticks to the clay super well.

For the materials needed for this project and detailed step-by-step instructions, tips and inspiration, check out our DIY Word Clay Magnet Kit here.

Till the next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Handmade something simple for a friend

My preschooler and I had fun making some clay magnets over the weekend as I taught him his alphabets with my alphabet rubber stamp set. Learning his alphabets was fun amidst him kneading the clay and stamping the letters onto the clay. He helped me make this magnet for his Auntie Sophia who went "Awwwww..." when she laid her eyes on it this morning. =)

Till the next blog post, craft something with your hands! =)

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DIY Craft: Valentine's Day Cards

I am not a big fan of Valentine's Day but making cute little cards just made me want to celebrate it big time with not just my husband but also with my son, family members, special friends and people who have already given me Chinese New Year snacks. =)

Here are some ideas for you to share your love with your special ones. I like making my cards with more than paper. Using shrink plastic and clay ornaments add an extra dimension to handmade cards.

The first card is made with cross-stitching thread, the second card with rainbow heart is made with shrink plastic and the third card with heart cut-out is made with oven bake clay.

For this Valentine's Day, make something with your hands! =)

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