my crafty Christmas tradition
I just realised that, quite by accident, I seem to have developed a Christmas crafting tradition of making poinsettias.
In 2006, I made a kanzashi poinsettia:
In 2007, I designed the famous crocheted poinsettia:
Who am I to break with tradition, even if it’s one I invented myself? So allow me to present the 2008 PlanetJune Poinsettia. This year I’ve gone for a polymer clay (FIMO) variety! It’s just over 2″ (5cm) in diameter, and would make a lovely pin or fridge magnet, or just a pretty decoration.
If you’d like to try making one, I’ve put together a tutorial for you so you can give it a go. The good news is that it’s much easier than it looks! There’s no precision involved; in fact, the leaves actually look better if they aren’t all exactly the same size and shape. As the instructions are quite long (I’ve included lots of pictures to make it easy to follow), I’ve given the tutorial a page of its own: Polymer Clay Poinsettia Tutorial.
This is my first polymer clay tutorial, so I hope it’ll all be clear. Please leave me a comment if you like it! And would you like to see more PC tutorials in future? Let me know in the comments!
Jana said
Hi, June! I LOVE the poinsettia! I had forgotten about the crochet one that I got the pattern for LAST year! Would you believe I have made NOTHING for Christmas though I have LOADS of patterns, including the pocket ami’s from you! And tomorrow is Christmas Eve already. Sigh. It’s just been almost impossible to get into the Christmas spirit here in Saudi Arabia! I HAVe been playing some of my Christmas music, but not being around the decorations, bustling shoppers, etc. And being alone, kind of takes the spirit out of it.
I have Sculpy. I haven’t used Fimo in years. It USED to be SO dry and hard to work with! Has it improved? Would you believe that I have a pair of poinsettia EARRINGS made from polymer that I made many years ago! I miss wearing those! They are at home in storage. I also have a pair of pumpkins and shamrocks! I LOVE the big one! If it wasn’t so close (Christmas) and I didn’t have TONS of crochet gifts still to make, I would definitely get out my sculpy and get sculpin! I haven’t looked at the tutorial yet, but YES! DO post more PC things! Love them!
Merry Christmas!
Jana
Gina @ Six in the Country said
Those are all so pretty! I am not a polymer clay girl, but it is gorgeous!
Robyn said
Love these! So pretty! Did you know poinsettias also come in blue and purple and pink? I think they are dyed for christmas. If you have never seen them you should. The colors are so cool. I saw them in an ad for our grocery store. Love all your creations! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Puglette said
Hi June,
Yes, there is a guava plantation on Kauai! I think it was on the road to Hanalei that we found it, before the lighthouse. They had fresh fruit to sample and fresh juice…yummy!! Well, since you did not accomplish the guava tasting, you just have to go back!
hugs,
puglette
:o)
June said
Puglette, I did see one in Kauai – possibly the only time I have ever seen a real poinsettia, and certainly the only time I’ve ever seen one growing in the ground.
But… there’s a Guava Plantation in Kauai? And I only just found out about it?! No fair – I’ve never eaten a fresh guava, and I heard that guava trees were everywhere in Kauai but I couldn’t find any! Sounds like I just wasn’t looking in the right place…
Puglette said
hi june!
the pointsettia’s are very pretty! did you see them when you were in kauai? the guava plantation had huge rows of them in full color.
hugs,
puglette
:o)
kris said
well, you have been busy hugh? love this pointsetta… but the crocheted one is still my all time favorite. can’t wait to see what you come up with next year. oh wait – yes i can, wait for the year atleast.
k