Decorating Eggs With Polymer Clay Filigree

Gold Premo clay is used here to create a delicate filigree design. Make the filigree overlays by pressing conditioned gold wads of flattened clay onto rubber stamps or into molds or texture sheets.

Shown here is a matrix tray from Ready Stamp that was used to make rubber stamps for me. (Learn how to get your own stamps made here.)

Be sure to lightly powder the stamps or molds before pressing the clay. The pressings will create designs that protrude above the surface of the clay.

These pieces can be sliced free using a blade held parallel to the surface of the clay. Slice the raised image away VERY carefully using light pressure and small slicing motions.. Powder the blade and carefully cut across the surface to shave the raised design from the lump of clay. Place the design on the work surface, then transfer it (this requires much care) with a toothpick or knife tip to the egg surface. What's left on the wad of clay shows the mica-shift technique, another very useful polymer clay surface effect that only happens with the mica-rich clays like the Premo and Kato pearlized colors.

Lay the first design in the center or one end and work with one portion at a time to build up a pattern that covers the surface.

Let the under layer show through in places. Use care to touch the egg as little as possible by holding the skewer instead of the egg.

When you are satisfied with the design, bake the egg on the skewer for 30 minutes following clay package directions.

stain the egg using varathane and acrylic paint

After baking add depth and an antiqued effect by staining the egg using a mixture of Varathane, black acrylic paint and a touch of gold from pearlex powders or more acrylic paint.

Click here for more information on making and using stains.

Scrub the stain into all the recessed areas and then wipe off the surfaces using an old tshirt or other soft cotton rag.

Note: If you wish to close the holes, before baking remove the egg from the skewer and cover the holes with a tiny amount of clay (just enough to patch the hole).

Dried rice can be put in previous to closing the holes if you want a noisemaker-egg. Bake the egg on a nest of polyester batting or fiberfill. Make a hanger if desired from wire or ribbon. Bend the wire in a loop such as are used at the top of glass Christmas ornaments, and ease it into the egg. Or thread ribbon all the way through and loop it back, then knot to hold. Add tassels or other embellishments as desired.