Video #238: “I confess I have never been a ‘flower’ gal… but Cindy, you’re making me ‘change my religion’ with all these gorgeous blooms!” ~Monique-U
Well it looks like I have a new favorite polymer clay project. It is these Dogwood Flower Pendants… I think because they look so realistic, and stunning to wear. And they are so easy to make as well!
Last month when I demonstrated how to make the Poinsettia Flowers, I did promise to do more tutes using the Wilton Gum Paste Flower Cutters and Impression Set. These wonderful tools were actually made for cake decorating, but I just love how well they work with polymer clay.
Once you have an awesome cutter collection like this, you’re going to want to learn how to use the whole set. In fact, as you can see from Monique’s comment above, and another one from Angela below, there are even a few members who have converted over to the flowery side, LOL.
Possibly I’m in the minority but I’m not really into making flowers (unless it’s a cane). Or, rather, I WASN’T into making flowers. Now, after seeing the Poinsettia tutorial I can tell I’m going to be making a lot of them this next year. Thank you so much for this tute. ~Angela-M
I was at Michael’s at 8 AM this morning with my 50% off coupon clutched in my hot little hand and got the only one they had my store for $20. They had a few impression kits so returned later with another 50% coupon and got one of those for $12. The book that comes with the Flower Cutter Set is filled with so many great ideas that I am sure we will pursue later. Thanks for this tut Cindy as now I will have a few hostess gifts such as napkin rings, ornaments or brooches / pendants, making this a worthwhile investment. ~Lawerence-S
Got my Wilton cutters and the ideas look great. I do need the Cindy twist to make them come to life though. Can’t wait for more of these flower tutes to appear. ~Pollyanna
So… without further ado, coming up tomorrow (Friday, January 13 2012) in the Vol-044-2 members video at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library, I will be…
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Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.
Supplies & Tools: Video-044-2 Dogwood Flower Pendants:
- For the White version I used:
–5001 White Premo Sculpey
–5101 Pearl Premo Sculpey Accents
–5527 White Translucent (Frost) Premo Sculpey Accents
–5022 Wasabi Premo Sculpey
–5007 Spanish Olive Premo Sculpey
- Wilton Gum Paste Flower Cutter Set
. Optional but recommended. You could use an Exacto knife to cut out the shapes by hand instead. I suggest you get the Wilton cutters though, because I have decided to use it for several upcoming polymer clay flower tutorials in the New Year. The set is meant for creating fondant or gum paste flowers for cake decorating. I found my set at Michaels in the Baking aisle. You can also find them on Amazon.
- Wilton Flower Impression Set
. Optional but recommended. You could use a real leaf or leaf texture sheet that you have made yourself instead. You should know that this set is coordinated to work with the Flower Cutter Set above and will also be used in future tutorials, so you may want to put these two tool sets on your Christmas list *wink*. The set can be found at Michaels or on Amazon as well.
- Pasta Machine
.
- Clay Blade
.
- Small art brush (optional).
- Chalk Pastels
(optional but recommended. Could use make-up Blush instead).
- Pearl-Ex Powders
(optional).
- 20g wire.
- Chain Nose Pliers (jewelry grade).
- Round Nose Pliers (jewelry grade).
- Flush Cutters (jewelry grade).
By the way, if you did not already know, those “shopping” links I provided above for the various tools and supplies, are “affiliate” links. That means companies like Amazon pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials so low… at only $3.32 per month ;-)
The full version of the Vol-044-2 Dogwood Flower Pendants video will be posted in the Polymer Clay Members Library on Friday January 13, 2012.
Here’s a sneak peak…
The full version of the “Dogwood Flowers” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-044 Back Issue Pkg.
Customer Feedback About Membership Value:
Thanks for always being here when I need my fix. Looking forward to another year of fun and exciting videos. Keep ’em coming please. Just put in for another year. Well worth it. I have made the money back ten times over selling the items I make that I learned from Cindy at craft shows . Did not hesitate to sign up for another year. Good job guys!!!! Yeah Cindy and Doug! So thankful for you both! Have a happy klay day! ~Sherry-W
Volume 20 holds fond memories for me… my first videos as a member! Now, over a year later: I’m still a member and SO happy I joined!) ~Phaedrakat
Cindy I love your online videos and look forward to them every week. There is no way that I wouldn’t renew my membership. Look forward to future postings and new ideas. Apart from more caning advice which will be covered in upcoming courses, (that I would definitely buy) I would love to learn how to make more flowers in the future. I love the flower jewellery of the 40’s and 50’s, especially the vintage Japan and West Germany beads and necklaces. I think if you know basic technique then you can experiment and perfect a certain style. I am definitely learning techniques from you and am successful at the new things that I am learning. That is a testament to a very good teacher. So thanks again – all the best. ~Cara-L
The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Dogwood Flower Pendants video tutorial:
- See examples of pendants done in two different dogwood flower color combinations.
- Find out how simple it is to create these realistic looking flower pendants, by just following along to the step by step instructional video.
- Learn the reasons why you may just want to look in the baking aisle next time you’re looking for polymer clay tools and supplies.
- Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with other unique designs of your own.
The full version of the “Dogwood Flowers” preview video shown above, is now avail for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-044 Back Issue Pkg.
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Looks like another fun tut, ordered the set.
Cruised on eBay.com tonite, looks like all those who less than thrillingly received Atlas Pasta Machines for the holidays are selling them now. Tremendous variety and a couple of motors.
Good luck.
Wow, talk about fast, Amazon
delivered the flower impression set and the gum paste flower cutter set this morning. Very impressive, great idea book included too. Lots of related stuff on the site – wilton.com which cross-applies to polymer clay.
Wow, what gorgeous dogwood blossoms! I received a Michaels gift card for Christmas, so together with my handy-dandy 50% off coupon, got the gum paste cutter set and the impressions set, so I am ready to go!!!!
Hmmmm, I’m thinking a stop at Michaels may be in the cards….
I was so excited to see Cindy doing tutorials with the Wilton Gum Paste set, I had my husband at Walmart looking all over for this set for me for Christmas.. YES they do carry it at some Walmarts.. It was a bit ironic since I had printed it out on my Michaels wish list the day before Cindy posted the Poinsettia tute. I too was not a flowery person but as I sit at my computer this morning I have seven sculpted Roses in front of me.. I cant wait to make the dogwood flowers.
I do believe that alot of Clay Artists think alike… I wonder what I will think of next, just to see Cindy doing a tute the next day on that very same idea…. It must be true great minds think alike…I am so glad we have Cindy because I might be able to think of a great idea, but Cindy actually makes her great ideas come to life..Thanks Cindy you are the best….
Got the cutters and my molds are on the way. Yippppeeee!!! Love this dogwood blossom by the way.
Very pretty flowers. Would look nice as a pin or scarf slide. I’m looking forward to the tutorial.
Oh WOW, they really do look real, these are the cornus florida variety of dogwood as compared to the dogwood you did a while back that is your state/territory (not sure how you call them) flower. I’ve REALLY got to get to Michaels now.
You are right Ken. The Dogwood Pendant I made way back, was a Pacific Dogwood which is our Provincial Flower (British Columbia). Although the pacific variety is similar, it has 5 petals instead of 4 and doesn’t have that same red coloring or those little circular cuts on each petal like this cornus Florida variety.
Do go to Michaels and pick up the set. Because these cutters and impression plates are so versatile, I will do even more tutes using them in the future and I wouldn’t want you to miss out.
Well, I got two Michaels gift cards this christmas, so it’s not like I have an excuse, but I’m so behind on the tutorials that I’m just getting to the Faux Pandora beads, ordered the grommets the other night. Yep, I’m WAAAAAY behind the rest of the class! :)
I think I’m way behind you Ken. I haven’t done any of the tutorials in a long while. I have so many to catch up with; they are all so beautiful.
The flowers are just gorgeous! They look so real. I got myself a Wilton cutter set and can’t wait to get started claying. Just so many things happening I’ve not had the chance to get into it.
Super tutorial Cindy the dogwood flowers!!! I cannot seem to find the mold and impression articles here in France :( do you know where I can get them? Thank you
Hi Laurette, I just answered that question for Francine down below.
Hi Cindy,
Those are Lovely Flower!!!
Definitely, I am going to make this flower. I am thinking to make hair accessories . So I will attached the Dog Flower to the metal base hair pin. Would you recommend the best glue that working with metal??
Thank you.
Dia
That is a great idea Dia making the Dogwood Flower into a hairpin! You could either imbed the hairpin between the layers instead of adding the hanger. Use some Bake N’ Bond for added security. Or you could glue it onto the hairpin after baking with Weldbond. Another option would be to wire it on. I would suggest making it a couple of different ways and wear them to see which approach is the strongest. Let us know how it goes!
Wow I was sick and missed the poinsettia tute in December but I am finally over my 2nd round of shingles and so ready to sink my hands into some clay. If the weather cooperates I will have a 4 day weekend with my 2 youngest grandkids and they will be more than happy to play with the clay with me. Goosebumps just thinking about it. I haven’t had Christmas with my youngest daughter and her family yet because I have been so sick so this is going to be a wonderful weekend. I have a big tub full of Wilton I use with my clay and now I can buy 2 more items and they are needed and will be used. Hobby Lobby carries a huge line of Wilton and offer classes also. Fondant tools are great with clay. They run Wilton items on sale 50% off at times so you can buy as many items as you want. I will try to post next time they have the Wilton on sale. The also have several sizes of cookie cutters that make wonderful pendants with a little imagination. Cindy I love this tute and can’t wait for each and every one you do using the Wilton sets. What a BLAST I am going to have. Thank you both once again for giving way more than you ever ask for in return. Many Uuuuuugggggs
Hi Cindy,
Going to try the dogwood flower this weekend. What a nice Mother’s Day gift that will make!
Could you please tell me where you got the wire necklace you had your dogwood flower on.
Thank you,
Pat
hi patricia
i buy my wire chokers (which i think is what cindy is using) through ebay. you can get 50 for about $9.99 and shipping is free (from hong kong). i’ve purchased them in silver, black and white.
isabel
Can you tell me the name of the store or seller on ebay that sells these wire chokers? Thanks
i’ve bought them from a number of different sellers. if you just go in and do a search for ‘wire chokers’ they’ll all come up there. i always sort them with ‘best shipping’ first, so that you see the suppliers who ship for free.
having said that, i got the black ones from 88fashionjewelry and the white from nihuilingsy.
good luck.
isabel
Hi everyone
I go excited about making some dogwood pins….was going to ask how to put a pin on the back but I see most are using wire chokers. ….well I am out of commission for a while…. I broke my ankle when I slipped and fell on ice on the way to synagogue yesterday morning…what a bummer .. I has some new order for some hair barrette I made using the extruder with the square adapter… It came our great…..now I have to wait to finish Baking and polishing …. Hope it just needs a cast and. It surgery.. I broke both bones at the ankle
Natalie
Oh, Natalie! Sorry to hear about your ankle. I hope you’re able to get around alright with your cast — that’s never fun! If you’re out of commission, be sure to keep a sketchbook close by for the inevitable fabulous ideas you’ll have (while unable to make them — oh the irony!!!) ;-D
Get better soon! Kat
just thought i’d let you know that i just purchased some more wire chokers. i got them on ebay from ‘noveltytrading88’. the ‘buy it now’ price for 50 was just over $13, with free shipping. this seller carries about 10 different colours and you can buy in multiples of 10, 50 or 100, individual colours, or mixed.
Oh gosh!!! You made this much easier than the book……lol. Hopefully I can get to it tomorrow. Have my non crafty gs tonight……lol. These are so pretty.
Boohoohoo.
Impossible to find a way to have the wilton stuff shipped to France.
Would you know any website through which I could order the set and impression mat ?
Thank you
Francine
I just ordered mine through Amazon.com. I’m sure they ship internationally. Just click on that little link next to the set where Cindy identifies it in the supply list. It will take you right to it on Amazon. Hope it works for you.
Trouble is shipping to France from amazon is $56 so the total would be $97. I have got to find another way.
Well thanks for the piece of advice (sob) !
Francine
Hi Francine, Here is a link to some International Distributors of the Wilton Products. They have a couple companies listed in France, which should have more affordable shipping options for you.
I got mine through amazon.com too. they ship to new zealand so i reackon they will ship to france too. all the best.
Sandra
These are just stunning. I can’t believe how real they look. I haven’t had a chance to purchase the set yet but it is now a priority to be sure.
I
hi
i really like these, but when i looked online at the wilton floral collection set, the contain:
1 leaf mold, 3 wood modeling tools, protector flap, instruction book, 2 foam squares for modeling and 24 plastic cutters – Wild Rose, Baby’s Breath, Forget-Me-Not, Apple Blossom, Pansy, Small and Large Daisies, Calyx, Orchid Throat, Stephanotis, Small and Large Carnations, Rose Petals (three sizes), Daffodil Petal, Daffodil Cup, Lily, Tulip Petal, Small and Large Rose Leaves, Holly Leaves, Ivy Leaf, Tulip Leaf.
but no dogwood!
i’m in canada. any idea where i can buy the set you have?
thanks.
oops….should have read all the posts! i see that the set is available at michael’s. i’ll get out my 40% off coupon and head out as soon as this snow stops!
I haven’t purchased the sets, but I love these flowers! I will have to invest soon. Life has me so busy I haven’t had time to play with my clay, but I always look forward to and find time to watch your videos, Cindy.
Nice job Cindy! Just ordered the Wilton sets and am excited to try these dogwoods as well as the poinsettas!
I’m on holiday at the moment at the beach, so when a wet day comes along i will be giving these a go. they are so cool!
Sandra
Love the dogwood choker on a wire. I am going to try and make my own wire choker. It can’t be that hard if you just measure your neck and then find a coffee can or something round you can wrap the wire around. A little hammering should harden the wire and keep it in shape. I don’t remember see a tute on making wire chokers. I do have a couple of great tips I discovered by accident. When using a medium that has to be cleaned with a solvent such as paint thinner from my brush I first poured a couple of tablespoons of 91% alcohol in a little condiment glass dish, cleaned and wiped with a paper towel first. Then I cleaned the brush with the paint thinner I keep in a little glass jar. To dispose of the alcohol I spoon kitty litter in the little dish and mix it around until it is all absorbed. This way I can dispose of it
right in the garbage can! Also found out that Lava bar soap is the best paint brush cleaner. After cleaning it in alcohol and paint thinner, I keep a bar right on my sink in the laundry room and the brushes are just like new when cleaned. I also use Lava to clean up any brushes that can be cleaned with water. Since Lava has pumice in it, it also does a great job of cleaning up dirty hands that have been working in a lot of clay. The only place I found it was at my local hardware store.
There are several videos out there on doing Viking knit, you can make most of the tools yourself, I think that once I do the dogwood pendant I’m going to make a viking knit chain to put it on (mom would like that)
Hi Ken,
I think that is wonderful idea to put it on the viking knit chain. I’m going to try it also. I hope it won’t be too hard. Never did it. Good luck Ken!
Don’t you just wish you had more hours in the day! Have a great day!
Pat
I “learned” to do the technique by researching videos on the internet, it took a little bit of time watching until thing became clear, many are not a concise as Cindy’s Videos, but you can learn, and I was able to make my own drawplate (you’ll understand) by raiding my tool box for my drill bits. Good Luck.
Now you’ve done it….just looked up Viking knit and now I have to try it. It looks fantastic.
I tried a sample peice out of cheap goldtone wire, and after pulling it through the drawplate, the gold color had come off of some of the wire, but basically the technique was correct and it looked like it was supposed to, watch the available videos a couple of times you’ll get it, it’s not really hard, just need to get used to weilding the lengths of wire.
I do a lot of needlework so this looks like something I can do. I was thinking of bead caps made with the tute Cindy did for us. First I have to get some thinner wire.
I made a sterling silver viking knit bracelet which I have sold. You can see a photo here cheriesbeaded-jewels.blogspot.com/ I’ve also been trying to do a very thin viking knit that i could use as a thick chain. I’ve got to redo that one as the wire was a bit too short; i was practicing.
Oh nooooo! Had never heard of Viking Knit, been googling it …. it looks great, must try it. Something else to obsess about, even less housework done …. who cares? :-)
Housework, what’s that? I’d never heard of Viking Knit before, either, one more thing to add to the bucket list.
A poster above mentioned that the Wilton link took her to a product that does not have the dogwood cutter and I have the same issue. Amazon does have a dogwood cutter, but I”m not sure if it would match up with texture plate.
Barb
Did you try clicking on the link above for the cutters at Amazon?
I’ve tried it several times checking them out, then used the link to purchase a set. The dogwood cutter is included.
Sure hope this helps.
Anyone looking for the Wilton sets used in Cindy’s 043-3 Poinsettia Charms and 044- 2 Dogwood Flower Pendants: the easiest way is to click on the Amazon links provided in Cindy’s Supplies and Tools list here on the blog. It appears that the best price is at Amazon if you are getting the free shipping. Anyone going directly to Wilton.com, put in the Stock # in their search box (2109-0054 for the cutters, 409-2560 for the impression plates). Mine were bought at Michael’s but that was only because my DSs had 50% off coupons. I have seen the cutters at Walmart and Bulk Barn, and I think bloggers here have mentioned other retailers. Use the Search feature above!
I overlooked the little red cutter at the top and focused on the 5-petal teal cutter at the right bottom, I think that was my mistake! Thanks all, love this site for all the help I find here.
I ended up making 15 dogwood blossoms today – white, pink, yellow, brown, and copper! What fun, what fun . With the copper flower I added copper links that I made myself.
Oh my goodness, Cindy. I LOVE your videos. I just became a member, and my only complaint is that I didn’t do it when I first started working with clay. You are amazing. I can’t wait to try these flowers. Thanks so much for sharing your work.
I’m upset to see that Wilton took out 4 of the cutters, including the Hydrangea cutter from this set. I thought the set I got was just missing those 4 pieces, but when I compare them to what Cindy shows in the video it makes me think they were taken out by Wilton. What’s confusing though is Cindy’s box you can see says 26 piece set yet her set has 30 pieces and my set really does have 26. There is not even a picture of the 4 missing items on the box. I’m curious to see if Cindy’s box shows those 4 missing cutters. Where can I find the same set as Cindy’s?
So sorry, but after more investigation I found out the set I purchased was actually missing those 4 pieces because they were probably stolen. I went to another Michael’s and I found a complete set. Check your boxes carefully before purchasing!
Hi Cindy, I really enjoy making 3-D flowers- I have recently purchased the Wilton cutter kit, the silicon impression pad and the chalk
I have a question about using the chalk on the clay- once baked, do you need to protect it with anything? Will the chalk disappear with time if you don’t finish it with anything?
What would be the finish of choice for these pieces?
I usually like a shiny finish to my pieces and use future a lot but in this instance, it looks rather nice just raw- out of the oven.
Thank you, Kati
Hi Kati, I find that there is no need to try and protect the chalk in this case. Because of the flower’s design and how they are worn, there is very little chance that the surface will be rubbed enough, that the chalk will be removed. If you were to use the chalk on a different type of bead, such as a round bead that is being used on a bracelet, some surface protection would be a good idea. For information on finishes that work well with polymer clay, type ‘finishes’ into the search box at the top of the page. Hope that helped!
Hi Cindy, I made a few of the dogwood pendants and they look great. But they are somewhat bendable, should they be? I have the Amaco pasta machine and it goes from 1-9 and I rolled the pendants out at a 5, should have I rolled them out at a 6 so they wouldn’t be bendable? Thanks!
Hi Patricia, although polymer does have some flexibility to it after being baked, I have one of my dogwood pendants in my hands right now, and I wouldn’t really describe it as bendy. Did you bake the piece for a full hour? Also how many cards thick is the #4 setting on your machine? It could be that you may want to go a little thicker. It is not too critical though, as long as the piece isn’t’ going to break easily. Why don’t you try making a few different ones at a thicker setting and a longer baking time and see if that makes a difference? Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
I made 3 of the dogwood flower pendants they all turned out fine, with the exception of one, which when handled very lightly, one of the petals snapped/cracked off. Any ideas?
Hi Hazel, sorry to take so long to get to you. When polymer clay breaks easily it can be a few different things that went wrong. If you are using a strong clay like Premo, then usually the problem is temperature and time. Use an oven thermometer and bake at 265F-275F for Premo Sculpey Clay for 1 hour. If your clay is too brittle, your oven may not be holding its temp very well and you may need to move the dial hotter a few degrees. Be careful to not let it scorch though. There are tons of articles on this site on baking. Use the search box at the top of the page and type in the words ‘baking’ or ‘clay breaking’ or ‘clay cracking’, things like that, and a list of articles to read will pop up. Hope that helps!
I finally got around to making some of these the past couple of days in white and pink varieties. They are still waiting to be colored, but I want to get my hands on some Preserve Your Memories II first to use with this and other techniques. Turns out there’s a local-enough retailer (about an hour) and I can hit the yarn store while I’m there. Win-win!
That is really awesome Katie! Where is the retailer that carries the pymii? There might be others in your area that would like to avoid the price of shipping as well. Hope you love your new Dogwood Flowers!
Where can we get the Wilton cutters from?
Gail
Hi Gail, here is our Amazon affiliate link to the flower cutters set
and the texture mat.