Resin Crafts: Cactus Ring Holder with EasySculpt

Today we have designer Myléne Hillam with this cute Cactus Ring Holder she created with EasySculpt®

Materials Required:

· EasySculpt®

· 20g copper wire – 20”

· Green acrylic paint

· Lumiere Metallic Rust

· Folk Art Lime Green

· Pearl Ex powder Aztec Gold

· Firm fitting latex gloves

· Acrylic roller

· Small shallow dish for shaping/forming the base

· 2 Teflon craft sheets

· Talcum powder

· Craft knife

· Paint brush

· 220 grit sandpaper

· Dust mask

· Block of polystyrene packing foam – this will support the cactus whilst it is curing

· Timer

Instructions: Before beginning, put on your gloves – EasySculpt will be sticky while you are working with it. Dust the Teflon sheets with Talcum Powder.

Bend the wire 8” from one end and twist together for the first 2”.

Create a 2 ¼” arm to one side of center, twisting the wire back onto itself. Create a curve close to the main stem.

Create another arm on the other side of center to match. Twist the rest of the wire down the main stem.

Scoop out a marble sized piece of each of Parts A and B. Mix together according to the package instructions. Form it into a log.

Place one of the arms on top and form the EasySculpt around the wire.

Mix more EasySculpt and wrap it around the other two arms. Remove any excess clay and form it around the main stem. You’ll notice that EasySculpt will become firmer whilst you are working with it. If it is too soft and sticky to begin with, set it aside for 10-15 minutes and try again.

You will be able to continue refining the shape of the arms for approximately 2 hours or more after you mixed the clay. Once you are happy with the shape, support the cactus upright by inserting the wire into a thick piece of polystyrene.

Scoop out a ¾” ball of each of Parts A and B and mix together. Set the timer for 20-25 minutes before proceeding.

Flatten the ball and place it between the two Teflon sheets. Roll it slightly larger than the size of the small bowl.

Cut around the dish with the craft knife. Place the circle gently inside the dish (do not push it against the sides of the dish or it may stick permanently). Allow the clay to cure overnight.

Use the craft knife to carefully release the clay away from the dish. Put on the dust mask and trim any jagged edges with the knife and finish with the sandpaper to smooth the edge.

Mix up a marble sized piece of EasySculpt and form it into a ball. Trim the wire close to the bottom of the cactus. Center the EasySculpt on the dish and press the base of the cactus into the clay.

Mix some more EasySculpt and divide it into two balls. Color one ball with Pearl Ex powder and the other with Metallic Rust paint. Break off small pieces and form them into odd shaped pebbles. Attach them to the base of the cactus.