Clay Lights

We needed some nice patio table lights for the cabin so we decided to make some instead...we had been thinking about going fishing hence the fish theme for our lights.

Materials Required:

air dry clay ( I like Prang Das, strong, less cracking and dries to a nice pale shade..great for painting....I used an alternate type here and I was not very pleased with it )

small container of water

acrylic craft paint

newspaper

wax paper

tea lights





Take a palm sized lump of clay and flatten out on a piece of wax paper.





Starting at one end mold a tail




Keep the front part flat as this will be the base for the tea light. Make sure it is large enough to hold a tea light..about 2 inches.


If the clay is getting dry wet your fingers in the water and smooth over the clay.










Scrunch up a small piece of newspaper and place in the space for the tea light...this will hold up the clay you put on top while it is drying.








Flatten another palm sized lump of clay to about 1/2 inch thick.








Place on top of the newspaper....join to the bottom with by wetting your fingers in water and smoothing both pieces together.








If there is some cracking in the clay like you can see here....dip your fingers in water again and smooth out.








At first we thought we might turn this into a whale but I was worried there might not be enough air for the tea light so we opened up the hole more








You can also use foil to help hold the shape while its drying in areas where you need a bit more support than the newspaper provides.

Cut out eye holes for your fish....

We added fins but had to use another color of clay as we ran out of the grey

Leave your clay fish to dry....you will know it is dry when you touch the clay and it is close to room temperature.

When dry use acrylic craft paint and paint as desired......

We didn't add a sealer as the paint stayed pretty glossy however you can add a sealant on the outside surface only if you wish.

Put your tea lights into the center.

That's it...some colorful fish for our patio table....

that add some light to our summer evenings.

take care and see you next time

gail