DIY Cabochon Flowers Tutorial

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Resin and clay sculpted cabochon flowers are *everywhere* right now. I personally think they are spontaneously reproducing with a goal of taking over the entire interwebs. I’ve seen them on earrings, necklaces, home décor projects, bobby pins, cards, and scrapbook pages, of course.

But they tend to be expensive… at least if you’re buying from a papercrafting manufacturer. So, what do I say to myself? I say: “Self, let’s see if we can make our own flowers for way cheaper!” and then I say: “AND we’ll (that’s the “royal we”) give some away on the blog… ‘cause that’s just how we roll".”

I bought these here awesome rubber molds from Mold Muse on Etsy. She has tons of inexpensive molds that will take poured resin or clay. They withstand a boatload of heat so you can bake the molds right in your oven without worrying about melting. Awesome.

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I decided I didn’t really want to mess around with resin goop and went the clay route instead. I used generic Sculpey and Fimo.

- warm a small bit of clay in your hands till it is soft and pliable
- firmly and tightly pack the mold impressions with clay
- swipe your finger across the tops of the indents to remove any excess clay… you want the bottoms of your flowers to be flush with the edge of the mold

At this point you may either:

- bake the clay IN the molds for 15 minutes in a 275 degree oven (I use my toaster oven)
- OR veryyyyy carefully press the molds so the clay flowers pop out onto a foil lined baking sheet and then bake them as above.

The advantage of popping them out first is that you can bake many at the same time, however, I will warn you it is tough to get a crisp impression if you do it this way. I tried but got too frustrated by squishing my flowers and ended up deciding to bake them in the molds instead. I clearly just need to buy more molds!

When they are done in the oven you will want to take them out and let them cool for a bit before trying to pop the flowers out. Ouch!

And here is what you’ll have:

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We’re having a pretty gray day here at the moment so the colors are a bit off but you get the idea. I think these would look pretty sweet with a layer of Diamond Glaze or Glossy Accents on them to shine them up a bit, too.

So what do you think? Not bad for a fraction of the cost of the manufactured ones!

Want some?? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think and what three colors you would like if you win and one random winner from the continental US will be chosen this weekend.

(color choices are: gray, flat white, light pearl gray, orange, yellow, light teal, dark teal, and that dark one at the back of the photos is actually a purple/burgundy)

27 comments:

Megan Aaron said...

these turned out awesome!

Sarah said...

You're so smart to buy the mold! They turned out great!

LyndaKay said...

Checking out the molds on Etsy! Love this idea. The yellow is spectacular and I also love the 2 shades of teal. I'm so impressed with DIY attempts and you've succeeded!!

Kathy said...

LOVE these, and that you made them so easily! I love them all, actually, and would seriously take any of the colors. SERIOUSLY! :)

Lana Bisson said...

Very Clever idea..I love it when scrappers can find creative ways to make their own..

ncokely said...

Amazing flowers!! They look better than the expensive ones!!
ncokely from ACOT

---any color would be awesome!!

cort said...

wow! great job...way to be thrifty! Plus you can get what ever colors you want !

Katherine said...

What a lovely and great idea for these little flowers. Love the two teal ones and the burgundy ones!

Chrissy said...

Jess! These turned out great! I want a stockpile of those molds now!

Jenna said...

These are so great! Love your creativity!!

All the colors are wonderful looking to me.

retiree3 said...

Gorgeous flowers! I love flowers!

Rebecca said...

These are so awesome! I'm inspired to buy molds and try this...but I already know they won't turn out this fabulous PLUS the Sculpey clay + my oven = the smoke detectors going crazy!!! But I might still give it a whirl... The purpley - burgandy, dark teal and grey ones are my favorite!!

Faye Marie said...

This is awesome. I can't wait to try this!!!!! I love the yellow, teal, and dark teal!!!!!!!!

Jan D. said...

Those would be so fun to make with my grandkids. Love them. I'd take any color. They're all beautiful.

Treasa C. said...

These are fabulous Jess. I think all of the colors are beautiful. Thanks for the tutorial!!

Amy Teets said...

I LOVE these! I say gray, teal and orange or yellow!

Rachel said...

I want gray! and you rock!

Tanya said...

Amazing colors! These look fabulous. I need to check out those molds! I love the yellow and the teal and purple!

Janet said...

Jess, those are fabulous!! What an awesome way to save money. Is the clay already colored?

SLUSH said...

HOLY CARP these are GORGEOUS!! I so wish I was as talented as you! I would love to have some (so even if I don't win you could still send me some if you wanted....pahaha) I like the dark teal, light teal and orange....go figure, right???

Mel Place said...

i love these and i seen them everywhere 2,if i won i would love the orange/white/yellow
really bright and pretty colors

Lindy said...

Okay, so how cool is this!? I'm checking out the Etsy shop ASAP. Great colors...I think I'd like purple, light pearl grey and dark teal. Thanks for the info and the giveaway!

Jenny said...

i love these soo much!! yellow gray and orange, please!

Anonymous said...

I love these flowers and have been wanting to make some. Yours turned out darling!

Marissa of Ris C Handmade said...

Those look great! If you ever want to try using resin, I have a tutorial for them:
http://rischandmade.blogspot.com/2011/06/resin-flower-tutorial.html

Unknown said...

What cute little flowers! I will have to try this! I'd love for you to link up at my Tuesday Tutorials Link Party! :)

http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2011/08/tuesday-tutorials-link-party-no2.html

Christy said...

LOVE these! I will have to look their molds up, too. :) Thanks for sharing. Your newest follower. I'm not picky when it comes to colors, I would wear any of it. lol