Art Clay Silver tooth fairy box

This beautiful little Art Clay Silver tooth fairy box is a perfect way to commemorate a special occasion such as a christening.
By Tracey Spurgin

Tracey delivers a full programme of silver clay workshops from her own studio in Yorkshire as well as Burton Manor, Higham Hall and Pendrell Hall. Tracey delivers high quality courses in a relaxing atmosphere. Learners are inspired and gain knowledge and confidence in working with metal clay. If you are interested in finding a class near you with qualified tutors, visit www.artclayworld.org.uk. When Tracey’s own children were small they would wrap a lost tooth up in tissue and place it in an old matchbox. With a new addition to her family, she decided to make something that would make a lasting memento or a possibly even a family heirloom.

designer tips

Creating a hollow form is simple. All you need to do is find or make something to work over. Polymer clay can be used to create your own shapes or forms

Make the shape, bake it in the oven and use it again and again

Children’s building bricks have helped me in the past

Tools & Materials

• 50g Silver Art Clay
• Texture plate
• Roller
• A little syringe type
• Badger balm or olive oil
• Water
• Cling film
• Clay pick
• Craft knife

• Tissue blade
• Sanding papers or grits
• Wire brush
• Small file
• Paint brush
• Box of cocktail sticks
• A fairy hairpin
• Moulding compound

Step 1

Prepare 25g of 650 slow dry Art Clay silver in the usual way. Lightly oil a texture plate and roll the clay over it using 1mm spacer bars. Use a tissue blade or craft knife to cut a strip of clay approximately 3 or 4cm wide and a few centimetres more than the diameter of the form (which is a supermarket purchased box of toothpicks).

Step 2

Heavily cover the toothpick box in badger balm to prevent it sticking. Wrap the wide strip of clay around the box. Where the two edges meet, use a tissue blade to cut through the clay and use syringe to adhere the join. Ensure all the clay is pressed firmly to the walls of the toothpick box to get a true shape.

Step 3

Allow to dry in the oven for 20 minutes at 130°C or overnight. Once dry, carefully remove the outer shell from the toothpick case, sand and file the join and the two rim edges until level and smooth.

Step 4

To make the base of the box, roll out more clay using the 1mm spacer bars. Add syringe to the lower edge of the rim. Turn this over to adhere to the rolled out clay.

Step 5

Use a clay pick or craft knife to remove the excess clay. When using a clay pick, hold the cut at a 90° angle to the surface. This will give an even edge all the way around the piece. Once again allow this to thoroughly dry.

Step 6

Now roll out and cut another strip of clay approximately 1cm wide. Use syringe around the inside rim of the main base and carefully attach the strip of clay. Refine any cracks, seams and joins with a little syringe or paste before allowing it to dry then proceed with sanding and filing.

Step 7

To make the lid, use 1mm spacer bars. Roll out and texture more clay, again approximately 1cm wide. Wrap around the toothpick box and join using syringe. Allow to dry before sanding and filing.

Step 8

Using 1mm spacer bars, roll out and texture the remaining clay. Carefully flip the clay over. Add syringe to adhere the dry rim to the wet clay lid. Use the clay pick or craft knife to remove the excess clay.

Step 9

To remove any residue or excess clay at the rim, use a wet cocktail stick. Allow this to dry. Check to see if the lid and the base sit neatly together. To correct any minor flaws, use your files and sanding pad to neaten the box.

Step 10

I found this hairpin and made a mould of the fairy using two part silicone moulding compound. Use a little olive oil in the mould before pushing the clay firmly into it. Gently flex the mould to remove the fairy.

Step 11

Allow the fairy to dry before sanding and filing to refine the edges and create a flat back. Use a little paste to adhere the fairy onto the lid. Once again allow this to dry. Then give it one final polish with polishing papers before taking the piece to fire.

Step 12

I have fired this in the kiln, on 800°C for 30 minutes. Fire the piece with the lid on. This will help prevent any slump or distortion. Remove from the kiln, quench in water, polish and oxidize.