How about wowing your friends with a different kind of St. Patrick's card? Make it out of polymer clay!

In order to make a clay card you will need:
One package of bright green clay. Sculpey, Fimo or Premo are all good clays
and may be found at any arts/craft store.
One package of white clay.
a marble size bit of black clay

* package of light green clay (* optional)
a smooth surface on which to roll the clay
a rolling pin or a pasta machine dedicated to clay
an Exacto knife or other sharp knife to cut the clay
a small pan, tile or piece of glass on which to bake the clay
two permanent markers, any dark color. One point should be fine for writing
the other, with a thicker tip for printing
*decorating items such as glitter, sequins, bits of lace, ribbon

Condition the white (or light green) clay by rolling, squeezing, twisting and kneading the clay in your hands, until soft and pliable. Squash, then roll out using the rolling pin or run through a pasta machine on setting #2, to the thickness of pie crust. Cut out a post card piece and place on the baking surface. It may be helpful to use a metal spatula to help lift the clay card to move.
Condition the bright green clay as described above. (*Option-you may mix some of this clay with the white or light green clay and twist to obtain a marbled or variegated look when rolled out) Roll out as described above. Cut out shamrock shapes from 1/2" to 3/4" diameter and a small top hat shape. Using the bit of black clay put a black "band" on the top hat. Decorate the shamrock shapes with glitter, sequins, etc., using creativity. (If you created the marbled or variegated clay cut a shamrock out of one of those for something different.) The sky is the limit on decorating the shapes!
Once decorated, gently place each cut-out onto the waiting "card", arranging them however it pleases. Press gently into the clay "card". Place the decorated card into a normal kitchen oven preheated at 275 degrees and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool.
Using the thick permanent marker, print a St. Patrick's Day message on the decorated side of the card. Turn the card over and address the blank side of the "card" with the marker with the finer point. If desired, spray the card with a clear sealer.
Take to the post office, request the card be hand stamped, pay for the appropriate amount of postage and send it on its way. Your friends will think you are the coolest "Irish" ever!

Learn more about this author, Martha Leonard.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to create your own St. Patrick Day greeting cards?
We want to hear your view. Write now!