Not sure if this should go here...sorry 

I'm planning to make a doll out of air dry clay. I'll be making her eyes out of it as well, and am thinking about painting them. I have a ton of great acrylic artist inks and want to know if it would be ok to paint dried pieces with these? I've heard stories about the clay absorbing paints...could this happen with inks? I'd be using the acrylic inks to paint eyes, since they're pearlescent, and watered down acrylics to blush her skin. Any painting tips would be great

Secondly I'm worried about cracking. I'm concerned that some areas will dry faster than others. What's the best way to prevent cracking? I'll be using Sculpt Dry clay.

Thanks!!

Some new goodies from me

Lush Earrings by Leah C., on Flickr


Pearl Ring by Leah C., on Flickr


Fruity Earrings by Leah C., on Flickr


Glacier Bracelet by Leah C., on Flickr

Here are some rings I made recently.
This one I call Cocktails and Crystals. I think you can see why


This is the Forest Ring


The Forest Ring gave me the inspiration to do this one...


And finally is the Ice Cherries necklace...which is allllll mine Smile I had a moment of longing for sparklies and made it in a few minutes before heading out.

It's been aaaages since I posted on craftster. Here's a little photo feast of some of my recent jewellery adventures. More on my flickr

























All the clay items are handmade by me and of course the jewellery too

This is the first thing I've beaded in years. It consists of a silver plated chain with freshwater pearls, faceted czech glass drops, snow quartz beads, and yellow swarovski crystals. I had to make the metal findings for the crystals. Painful 

What do you guys think?  It's a bit wonky.

2 layers of chocolate cake flavoured with fresh orange and zest, chocolate swiss meringue buttercream, dark chocolate ganache, shavings, and handmade petals for the flower with a zest center. I didn't eat the cake, but I had the extra bits, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmm

I'm looking for a ginger cake recipe. I've seen recipes for loaf style ginger cakes, but haven't had a chance to try too many. Any recipes are appreciated.

Also, what do you think tastes nice with ginger? I'm sure chocolate does, and I was thinking of doing a round or square ginger cake with chocolate ganache just on top with decorations. TIA

EDIT: Just had a brain toot. Anyone tried ginger with caramel or dulce de leche?

Here's the skirt I made with its top.

Top: White raised polkadotted cotton, handmade ruffle, lace, ties, and a couple strips of elastic in the back with an elastic waist.

Skirt: Patches of lilac/purple flowered fabric quilted and lined with the white polkadot cotton, handmade silk trim, lace, pleats, and an elastic waist.

It can be worn like this (this is the back of the top)


This can be the front


Or this can be the front

This is the second item I've made for a child. I was going to make this into a dress with a silk bodice, but it wouldn't hang properly. The silk was way too stiff, and I noticed a few stains Shame, but I think it looks much better as a skirt anyway.

It fits a size 4T, and will stretch quite a bit. I had quite a few lilac/purple cotton squares with flowers on them that were going to be used for quilting in my stash. I sewed them together (annoying and my first time doing something like that) and lined it with a polkadot cotton that you can also see in the front/back (depending on how she likes to wear it) which I pleated. I made the purple ruffly trim you see, which is made from silk. Under the silk trim is some cute lace It has an elastic waist. I need to iron the pleats again.

I hope you guys like it! I hope this little girl and her mom like it too! hehe

Some of you may have read my thread asking about kid clothing and making clothing for a 2 year old. I made this dress. The white fabric is a bit sheer with tiny raised polkadots. The pink bodice is made of a cotton blend, with a flower in the centre. I made the flower on the shoulder out of silk and a bead. My favourite bit is the ruffles I made by hand I thought it turned out pretty good, but it turns out that, guess what? My friend's 2 year old girl doesn't wear a 2T She wears a 4T! What a little giant.


I don't know what to do with this dress now. *sigh*