Sculpting Tips:
When working with QuikWood (QW):
- Quikwood is a two part resin. When mixed together you have about 20 minutes of open time before it begins to cure. It will fully cure in 24 hours.
- Only cut off as much as you need at a time.
- Make sure it is thoroughly mixed together (no swirls of color) or it will not cure.
- Do not wear jewelry especially rings when working with QW.
- Apply Avon Silicone Glove before starting and as needed when working with the QW.
- Use DecoArt Extender to blend QW being careful not to use too much or it will make your QW gummy.
- Lay parchment paper over pattern when sculpting flat shapes.
- Before painting finished piece wipe with baby wipe to remove any excess oils.
Video on QW Basics:
Getting started:
- Drill Small hole in dowel 2 ¼” from top end of dowel. The hole should be large enough for two pieces of 20 gauge wire to slip through.
Sculpting:
Getting Started for both flowers:
- Insert top end of dowel into center of 1 ½” Styrofoam ball.
- Mix 1/8” of QW and roll into a coil about 1” long. Wrap around dowel. Blend edge of clay onto Styrofoam. Then blend bottom onto dowel using extender if needed. Allow to cure.
- Repeat for second flower.
Video for getting started:
Making spikey petals:
- Mix ½” of QW and divide into three unequal pieces – a larger, medium and smaller piece. Roll each piece into a cone between 1 ½” – 2 ½” so that your petals are different lengths. Make sure you have a little point on the end because you are going to use it to insert the petals into center. Lay on parchment paper and gently pat to flatten top of petals.
- Repeat 5 times so that you have 18 petals. Allow to cure.
Video for making spikey petals:
Making round petals:
- Mix 2″ of QW and divide into8 equal balls.
- Lay parchment paper over pattern. Lay ball on paper and begin pressing and patting to fill in the pattern.
- Press finger in from edge of flower and roll to create an outside ridge on each petal. Blend and smooth center if needed. Pinch bottom of petal so that you have a nice point.
- Repeat until all petals are done. Allow to cure.
- Note: See end of video for a second way to make petals that give you the same results but might be faster.
Video for making round petals:
Inserting spikey petals:
- Mix 1″ of QW and roll into a ball. Begin pressing and patting clay into a 2 ½” circle.
- Lay and press firmly on top of Styrofoam ball and then begin pulling and patting and bringing it down around bottom. Use extender to blend into bottom of flower. Press and pat to even out the clay.
- Begin inserting petals about 2/3 to ¾ down from the top. Press firmly into place. Vary the side and position of the petals as you go around the flower. Allow to cure.
Video for inserting spikey petals:
Inserting round petals:
- Mix 1″ of QW and roll into a ball. Begin pressing and patting clay into a 2 ½” circle.
- Press firmly on top of Styrofoam ball and then begin pulling and patting and bringing it down around bottom. Use extender to blend into bottom of flower. Press and pat to even out the clay.
- Begin inserting petals about 2/3 to ¾ from the top. Press firmly into place positioning the first 4 petals evenly around center. Add the remaining 4 petals evenly between first petals and just slightly above the previous petals. Allow to cure.
Video for inserting round petals:
Making Leaves:
- For the round petal flower make one medium leaf and for the spikey flower make a medium and small leaf.
- For the medium leaf mix ½” of QW and roll into a cone about 2 ½” long. Lay over pattern and begin pushing and pulling and fill the pattern.
- Cut 7” of wire and press into center of the leaf (where the vein would be) and blend to cover wire with clay.
- Pick up leaf and bend into desired shape. Allow to cure.
- For the smaller leaf cut 3/8” of QW and roll into a 2 “cone. Follow directions for large leaf.
Video for making leaves:
Attaching Leaves:
- Mix up ¼” of QW. Pinch with fingers to create flat shape, then lay on parchment paper and flatten with palm of hand to even out. Cut out large star for calyx . Using tool or pencil put hole in center of star that is wide enough to go over stem. Pick up and slid down dowel onto back of flower. Gently pat into place. Blend star into stem using extender, use additional clay if needed.
- Insert wire of leaf into hole on dowel leaving about ½” out. Wrap wire around stem a couple of times and then trim close with wire cutters. If you have two leaves insert second leaf from opposite side. Leave ½” out and then wrap wire around stem a couple of times and trim.
- Pull off 1/4” ball of clay and roll into coil about ¾” and wrap around dowel over wire. Push clay above and below wire. Using extender blend clay down on dowel and also above dowel. Allow to cure.
Video for attaching leaves: