Dragonfly Canister

Want to add a bit of flair to your kitchen or bathroom? Let designer Katie Hacker teach you to combine the arts of stamping and polymer clay with this earthy Dragonfly Canister, a perfect way to bring a touch of nature to your home décor.

Project reprinted from Making Great Impressions

Supply List

• polymer clay: 7/8" metallic white ball, 1" stone-look green ball
• dragonfly rubber stamp
• brown pigment ink pad
• 3"x31/2" glass canister with a wooden lid
• decorating chalks: orange, yellow, green, brown
• chalk applicator
• gold paint pen
• 1 yard of raffia
• E6000® glue
• X-Acto® knife, rolling pin, or pasta machine
• oven parchment paper
• baking surface: glass or ceramic baking dish, insulated or doubled baking sheet, or ceramic tile
• clay blade
• tacky craft glue
• paper towels and moist towlette

1. Use your fingers to flatten the white clay into a rough rectangle. Stack craft sticks in about 1/8" thick on the sides of the clay, then use a rolling tool or smooth handle of an X-Acto® knife to flatten the clay between sheets of waxed paper to an even thickness. (You could also use a pasta machine for smooth, uniformly flat pieces—the #2 setting is about 1/8" thick). Stamp a brown dragonfly onto it pressing firmly. Use a moist towlette to remove any ink smudges, then use the knife to cut it out. Chalk orange and yellow on the upper wings, green on the lower wings and brown on the body.
2. Flatten the green clay to 1/8" thick and cut out a 2" square. Gently press the dragonfly onto the green square as shown. Bake them according to the manufacturer's instructions and let cool. Outline the square with the paint pen.
3. Glue the square to the canister. Cut the raffia into three equal lengths. Wrap them around the neck of the canister and knot at the front.

About Katie Hacker

Katie Hacker learned to make polymer clay canes from Millie Beacham, talented artist and author of Millie's Fimo Notebook. Katie has been experimenting and designing with a variety of craft mediums ever since. She has written more than 10 books for Hot Off The Press.