Daily Archives: August 24, 2016

I love to entertain.  I really don’t get to do it enough because…

A) no time
B) no space
C) no time

But when I can, I really enjoy it!  I love putting together themed parties and decorating my space to suit the occasion.  Even if there’s no theme, it’s always a blast eating and drinking with those you love.

So the other day, while indulging in Avalanche Sharks (yes, it’s a real movie), I got an idea for some colorful and fun coasters that would add style to any get-together…PLUS, it’s a great clay buster if you’re looking for a project to use up all those random clay pieces from other projects.

These Marbled Clay Coasters are awesome!  They’re super colorful and durable and I just love how they turned out.  They also make great gift ideas for that special hostess with the mostess (Christmas is 4 MONTHS AWAY, PEOPLE!!)

Marbled Clay Coasters

Materials:

• Various pieces of crafting clay (I used an assortment of Sculpey clay…this much clay gave me 4 coasters)
  
• Clay rolling pin
• Large circular item to cut out coasters (large drinking glasses, biscuit cutters, or small bowls work well…just make sure they’re slightly larger than a drinking glass – I used the lid for a large candle)
• Sand paper (optional)
• Felt (optional)

Directions:

1. Work the clay pieces individually in your hands until soft and pliable.  Keep in mind that dark clay might stain your skin, so I suggest starting with the light colored clay first, then work the darker colored clays.
2. Roll clay into logs.  It doesn’t really matter how long or fat the logs are here…just eye ball it and try to keep it somewhat equal.  Here were my logs, with a pen for reference (these logs gave me 2 coasters, then I did the same with the clay on the left for 2 more).
   
3. Gather logs together and twist once.
   
4. Fold logs in half and twist again.
   
5. Gather clay into a ball and work for only a few seconds, as you don’t want the colors to bleed too much.
   
6. Roll out the ball to reveal the neat marbling effect!  Don’t like the look?  Turn your clay over, it’ll look different on the other side!
   
7. Cut out your coasters and transfer to baking sheet (I have a sheet I use specifically for clay, but you can use a regular baking sheet covered with aluminum foil).
   
8. To cut more coasters, you can add more clay to your already marbled clay or start fresh.  Just remember not to work the clay too much or else you’ll just end up with nasty poo brown clay.
9. Bake your coasters following the instructions on your clay.
10. Let cool and enjoy!
    
11. If you want, you can sand the edges using sand paper or glue felt to the bottom of the coaster, but neither is necessary.

Here’s a closeup of some of the coasters I made…I clearly had way too much fun here!

Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.