Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
The Midas touch
9 crafty makes
1 PRETTY PAPER
Handmade and decorative papers can be expensive, but you can get the look without the high cost by creating your own at home using a marbling kit. All instructions on page 162
2 FINE FRAME
Dress up a basic frame by giving the picture mat a marble cover-up. After applying self-adhesive paper to the mat, trim the edges with a craft knife.
3 STONE SLAB
If a marble tray is out of your price range, here’s a great idea for getting the look on the cheap. Make a tray by covering a cheese board with marble-patterned self-adhesive paper, then attach gold drawer pulls for the handles.
4 BOARD BEAUTY
Take a run-of-the-mill clipboard from boring to beautiful with self-adhesive paper in a marble pattern. Just stick a strip to the bottom third of the board. So simple! All instructions on page 162
5 LOVELY LEGS
Give your desk or a side table a style upgrade and cover the leg rails with marble-look self-adhesive paper. As with any surface, make sure the metal legs are clean and dry before applying the paper, so it adheres properly.
6 BOOKMARK BELLE
Get out a rolling pin and make a polymer clay bookmark. It’s a fantastic gift for the readers in your life! Roll a lightly mixed clump of grey and white clay, trim into a rectangle, then bake. Finish it off with gold leaf accents for a luxe look.
7 BEADY BLING
Colourful bits of clay stand out against neutral grey and white to make these stunning marbled beads. Use a bamboo skewer to make a hole through each bead, rub on small pieces of gold leaf, then thread onto gold chain.
8 CHIC COASTERS
Get the marble look with these stylish coasters made from polymer clay. After lightly kneading a few colours together, flatten the clay with a rolling pin and cut out multiple circles using the mouth of a jar. Gold paint on the edges adds shine. All instructions on page 162
9 BESPOKE BOWLS
Buttons aren’t just for sewing. You can also use them to print on paper and fabric, and to make impressions in clay. Use your buttons to make an ornate pattern in clay, creating these artisan-inspired bowls.
10 FEATHERED FANCY
These gold-edged plumes make a subtle work of art or wall hanging. Modelled on bird feathers, each one is created individually from clay and has a unique look. Gorgeous!
11 SPOTTY SPOONS
These clay spoons are decorated with food-safe porcelain paint and are designed to be used with salt dishes, but you can easily create a set of measuring spoons. Shape the heads around an existing set, then paint the measurement on the handle to label. All instructions on page 162