COPPER AND MARBLE CANDLEHOLDER DIY

Happy 2014!  Having just returned from my beautiful hometown of Cape Town, South Africa, I am inspired and excited to begin planning my new ventures and adventures for this year.  To kick it all off, I want to share a project that will help ward off the winter blues. I have been in love with copper and marble elements for a while now and decided to combine the two to create a few accessories for my home.  Below are some images that have inspired me. 

Clockwise: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5

These marble and copper candleholders were created using simple oven-bake clay and leftover copper piping we had lying about.

Supplies:

2 oz. white oven bake clay

2 oz. grey/granite oven bake clay

1” copper pipe

Method:

1: Cut and condition the clay.  I used about 1 part grey/granite to 4 parts white clay.

2: Roll the clay into long snake-like shapes.

3:  Press granite clay into white and fold clay in half.  Fold in half again.

Repeat steps (2) and (3) two more times.

4: Once clay is sufficiently mixed, roll into a ball.

5: Shape clay into a square by flattening the sides, top and base.

6: Insert copper pipe into the center of the clay.

7: Bake following packaging instructions.

I hope these candleholders bring a little light and warmth to your home this winter.  Nicole

MARBLED NECKLACE DIY

With Christmas around the corner, why not forgo the mad shopping dash by making family and friends personalized homemade gifts?  One of the presents I’ve decided to make this year is this pretty faux marbled necklace.  These necklaces require only a few supplies and you can make several simultaneously.  For the full tutorial (in English and Spanish) hop on over to Marta’s blog, 2ndfunniestthing. 

COPPER VASE DIY

We recently replaced our water supply pipe with copper after discovering the old piping was electrical conduit. Yikes!  There were several pieces lying about the yard, which I knew I could use for something.  These vases were the end result. I hope you like them. 

What you’ll need:

Step 1:

Cut the copper pipe to size.  I used a hacksaw to cut 2 pieces approximately 6” in length. 

Step 2:

Use sandpaper to sand down any rough edges.

Tip: Tarnished copper can be cleaned by rubbing vinegar and salt over it. 

Step 3:

Knead and roll out the oven-bake clay on a clean surface.  Once the clay is about ¼” thick, cut a circular base about ¼” wider than the pipe.

Step 4:

Press the clay down the sides of the tube, thinning it as you work your way down. 

Step 5:

Roll a larger piece of clay to ¼” and cut to the desired size. 

Step 6:

Roll the clay around the pipe and use the modeling tool (or your fingers) to pinch the seam closed. Lightly press the bottom sides to seal the base of the vase.

Step 7:

Using the palm of your hand gently roll the vase on a clean surface.  This will seal the seams and get rid of any pinching marks left on the clay. 

Step 8:

Cut out your desired shape.

Step 9:

Bake according to the instructions on the packaging.