Mousetrap Elf Ornaments (My 1st Polymer Clay Project!)

[ThriftyLiving4U]

I made these Mousetrap Christmas Ornaments for the Sweat Shoppe Ornament Swap!
I wanted to do different colors and slightly different techniques since 1. I love OOAK  2. It's my first project in clay and 3. I'm a Mixed Media kinda girl
I titled them "NO PEEKING".  The "trap" is fully functional and can hold several sheets of paper.

Here's a pic of them all together:


Blue & White Elf:


Green Elf:


Blue & Silver Elf:


Red Elf:


Thanks for looking!

[WingsOfClay]

WOW...this is your FIRST polymer project?! 

you have done a great job with the polymer clay...very nice!

[ThriftyLiving4U]

Thanks...I aspire to be like YOU 

[ThriftyLiving4U]

I liked them before I sealed them.  The glossy made my fingerprints show up more.  Chad said, it adds charm.  I think it looks like an amateur.  How do you get them to not show up so much??

[puamelia]

Ooh, so very cute!!!

In doing silver clay (water based) we would smooth everything away with a wet finger as we went along. I kept a tiny bowl of water at hand. Not sure how polymer clay works...?

[WingsOfClay]

I liked them before I sealed them.  The glossy made my fingerprints show up more.  Chad said, it adds charm.  I think it looks like an amateur.  How do you get them to not show up so much??

there are a couple of ways to avoid fingerprints in polymer clay:

--wear latex or vinyl gloves while detailing (decreases your precision, tho)
--after piece is done, put a *tiny* drop of "clay softener" (also called "diluent") on finger tip, and pass lightly over surface to smooth away prints
--do same tecnhique, but with a *tiny* dot of rubbing alcohol instead
--use a dry paint brush to lightly smooth away
--use your finger in an ultra-light rubbing motion to smooth away

[ThriftyLiving4U]

So have more patience than I do   got it!
No really...thanks for the tips A!

[SiFi Mom]

I'm really impressed with the detail on your little guys.  I think the presents are adorable.