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Elissahearts - Treasures From Scrap Clay!
By Elissa Powell

(To skip directly to the pictures and instructions, click here)

For the past four years, polymer clay has led me on a fantastic adventure of joy and discovery. When I first started, I pretty much stuck to making cane-slice beads. My scrap pile seemed to grow amazingly fast. What to do with all this good scrap clay? I cut off a chunk to ponder. As I pulled the slice open, I was stunned by the beauty of the mirror image produced by the cut surfaces! I knew then that I had to think of a way to incorporate this enchanting symmetry into my work. As a lifelong heart lover, it wasn't long before I put two and two together!

Over time, my hearts have evolved. I use many different techniques for making hearts, but my symmetrical Elissaheart method will always have a place in my own heart (in addition to being a most interesting and profitable way to use scrap clay!).

The original flat Elissahearts assembled with random chunks of clay have given way to a more planned, predictable method, employing some of the basic rules for artistic composition. The important ones are listed here:

Contrast: When assembling pieces, place light clay adjacent to dark clay, busy areas next to open areas.

Focal Point: As in any artistic composition, a focal point or center of interest is important to entertain the eye. A splash of unexpected color or texture will do that. An area of translucent patterned clay can give the illusion of depth.

Composition: Components need to relate to each other in a pleasing way. Twisting the ball of clay, or cutting into smaller pieces and recombining can accomplish this. You will need to experiment.

Molding: Molding the hearts gives them a rounded, voluptuous beauty. My mold is made of scrap clay from a master I sculpted myself. You can make your own, or you can buy one ready-made from a craft store.

Directions: Following the step-by-step directions in the pictorial section will take you through the heart making process. These few extra pointers will assure an awesome result!

The pattern variations in one little ball of clay are infinite! Don't settle for a result that's less than stunning! If you are not happy with the first pattern you see, close the ball, reshape, and cut again.

A simple way to remove a stuck heart from a mold without distorting it is with lung power! A quick puff directed right at where the clay meets the edge of the mold usually will cause the clay to release.

After curing the hearts in the usual way - 25 minutes at 265 degrees for Fimo or at 275 degrees for Scupley Premo - the real work begins: sanding, buffing, and glazing. The finish I swear by is Flecto Varathane Diamond Wood Finish, available in the paint department at most hardware stores. It bonds to the clay in a permanent rock-hard, non-peeling finish. It is far superior to any of the craft finishes, and ounce for ounce, only a fraction of the cost. To learn about how I apply the Varathene to my hearts, see my article on

Varathane dipping.

Sand sparingly, especially with the coarser grits of sandpaper. Remember that the symmetry of these hearts exists only on the very surface of the cuts. Excessive sanding will erode it! Most people sand more than they need to, anyway.

And that's all there is to it! I hope you will all enjoy making hearts as much as I have. Any questions?E-mail me! Hoping everyone has a happy healthy, and heart-full Valentine's Day!

Project Instructions