Father's Day Cufflinks

Creating Beautiful Cufflinks for that very Special Dad

There are so many different designs and ideas that you could use to make your Dad a very special Father's Day Present!!

To create a base for the cufflinks you will need to roll out the Clay to an even thickness or at least one side of the base should be flat. This will ensure that you have a suitable surface to attach the cufflink backs too.

I normally find that a 1.5mm thickness provides enough weight and substance for a cufflink. If you want to create a textured surface then remember to place the spacers on the texture sheet before rolling out the clay. Once the clay has been rolled out, cut out the shape of the cufflink, by using mini cookie cutters or a craft knife. Place cut out pieces on a flat ceramic tile.

You can now add embellishments to the cufflinks with either rubber stamps, man made stones, Art Clay Syringe, etc. For the Cufflinks in the first picture above, I created a shape from Cork Clay which I then dried overnight. Once dry I placed this on to the square rolled out piece of clay and syringed around the Cork Clay, ensuring that it was attached on all sides to the piece of clay. When it was fired the cork clay burnt away leaving a hollow filigree like structure on the base. In the second picture I used rubber stamps and in the 3rd one I used a texture mat.
Once you are satisfied with the cufflinks, dry them thoroughly. Generally I find it best to do this in the oven at about 150 to 180 degrees C for about 30 minutes.

Allow to cool and using your sanding pads, ensure that there are no sharp edges or scratches. If you are using Sterling Silver Cufflink backs, you can add them now with a little bit of Art Clay Paste. Dry again with a hair dryer for a few minutes before firing.

The cufflinks can now be fired, using a gas hob, blow torch or kiln. Remember if you have used Cork Clay it must be fired in a kiln.

Once fired, allow to cool slightly and quench in some cold water. Using your Stainless Steel Brush, brush your fired Cufflinks to expose the beautiful silver. If you have attached the cufflink backs prior to firing you may notice fire scale on them. This can easily be removed by dipping the Cufflinks in a “pickle” solution or by filing away with a little bit of fine emery paper. If you haven't add the backs before firing, then you can either solder them on now or glue them on with a 2 part epoxy resin.

Depending on the finish you want, you can now burnish the Cufflinks or polish them up to a mirror finish with the sanding pads or oxidise them with a Liver of Sulphur Solution.

Add on the Cufflink bars and polish with a soft cloth. The cufflinks are now ready for that very special “Dad” to wear.

Your imagination is the only limitation for design ideas. He will love anything that you make as it is such a very special present.

More Art Cay Projects can be found at http://www.artclaysupplies.co.uk/art-clay-monthly-project-page.shtml

Peppermint Sweets

By S. Roberts
To make peppermint sweets you will need...
12 tablespoons of icing sugar, 1 egg white, green food colouring (optional), peppermint flavouring and cooking chocolate.

Remember to wash your hands and clean the work surfaces before you begin.

Method...
Add to a bowl the icing sugar, egg white, 4 drops of peppermint flavouring and 12 drops of green food colouring. Mix well and kneed the mixture to form a smooth ball. If the mixture is a little too wet add more icing sugar.

Roll the ball into a large sausage and slice into individual sweets. Use your hands to shape the sweets and leave them on a chopping board to dry.

Melt the chocolate in a dish in the microwave, it will only need a minute or two. Don't over do it, it just needs enough time to melt. If you do not have a microwave, you may need an adult to help. Stand a mixing bowl inside a pan of boiling water on the hob, keep the water simmering. Don’t let any water bubble over the side and into the chocolate because this spoils the chocolate. Be careful not to let the pan boil dry.

Dip each sweet into the chocolate half way, and leave it on some tinfoil until the chocolate sets.

A perfect Christmas gift for someone with a sweet tooth.

S. Roberts is one of Santa’s Helpers and writes for http://www.santaspostbag.co.uka Christmas educational & activity website. For more festive ideas & gifts to make visit http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/homemade-christmas-gift-ideas.html
SantasPostbag is in association with http://www.bigboystoyz.com Together keeping Christmas Magical

LED Light up Bottle

By S. Roberts

You can find lots of unusual things in bottles, ships and messages, so why not fill a bottle with LED lights? What a bright idea! This attractive bottle is a great talking point; it makes a nice table decoration or a festive night-light, everyone will want one of these.

To make the LED light up bottle you will need... A clear glass bottle, a meter or so of tinsel, a loo roll or kitchen towel tube, glitter, PVA glue, and a set of 20 LED lights. You can get these ready made from with a battery compartment from the '99p Store' on your local high street. Tech confident people could make their own from individual components. DO NOT use mains fairy lights, this is a fire hazard!

First wash out the bottle and remove all the labels. Use a nice smelling detergent to rid the bottle of any lingering odours from its previous contents. Leave the bottle to drain and dry out completely.

Take the LED lights and the Tinsel, use a small amount of selotape and stick the wire directly behind the last LED bulb (the bulb furthest away from the battery compartment) to the end of the strip of tinsel.

Twist the string of lights and the tinsel loosely together and carefully push the lights and tinsel into the bottle until the battery compartment rests on the neck of the bottle.

The loo roll or kitchen towel tube will become a fancy bottle stopper that covers the battery compartment. Draw around the end of the tube onto a piece of card. A grocery box is great. Cut the disc out and push it into the end of the tube. Use a bit of selotape to hold it in place.

Cover the tube and end piece in PVA glue and sprinkle with glitter. Cover the cardboard completely so that it is no longer visible. Leave to dry.

Perch the battery compartment on top of the bottle and place the glitter bottle stopper over the top of it, so that it hides the batteries and part of the neck of the bottle.


S. Roberts write for www.santaspostbag.co.uk a free educational resource packed with creative things to do and make including traditional, religious & 21-century activities. Visit http://www.santaspostbag.co.uk/christmas-fun-stuff.html for more fun stuff. SantasPostbag is in association with www.bigboystoyz.com Together keeping Christmas magical.