Mondo Mexican Rosary
By Marisa Pawelko
Summary:
Go big or go home! This mondo rosary inspired by Mexican folk art is perfect for decorating your wall or draping over a piece of furniture. It’s fully functional too in case big prayers are needed!
What’s Needed:
- Sandtastik Air Dry Modeling Clay
- FastMache
- Clay Roller Kit
- Sculpey Clay Starter 3 Piece Tool Kit
- Bowl of Water
- Mixing Stick
- Craft Paint
- Paint Brush
- Sandpaper
- Wire
- Paper
- Scissors
- Pencil
Begin by mixing up a batch of FastMache according to the package instructions. The FastMache will be used to create the simple beads for your rosary.
Form 53 balls that are approximately 1.25” in diameter. FastMache is perfect for making the beads lightweight!
Allow the beads to firm up and then smooth their surface with moistened fingertips.
Se the beads aside to dry. Next create the template for your cross. Fold the paper in half and draw one side of the cross. Then place the paper on a window in daylight to trace the other side onto the paper. This way your cross will be nice and symmetrical.
Cut out the paper cross template.
Set up your Clay Roller Kit with the ¼” rails.
Roll out a slab of Sandtastik Air Dry Modeling Clay large enough to accommodate your cross template.
Place the template on top of the slab and roll over it with the roller.
Carefully peel away the template to reveal an impression of your design. Then use the knife tool from the Sculpey Clay Starter 3 Piece Tool Kit to cut out the cross. Keep a bowl of water handy to continually moisten the clay as you work. This will prevent the clay from drying out and cracking.
With the blunt point end tool from the Sculpey Clay Starter 3 Piece Tool Kit, carefully create a hole at the top of your cross.
Add the desired texture and design details to your cross with the Sculpey tools.
Use your hands to form little heart for the center of your cross.
Securely adhere the heart to the cross by using a cross hatching technique as shown with a little bit of water.
Roll out 6 uniform spheres that are approximately 2” in diameter.
Hand form the spheres into hearts for your special accent beads.
Poke holes in the beads as shown, four horizontal, one vertical and one with both horizontal and vertical holes. Set the hearts and cross aside to dry fully.
Once your simple beads are completely dry, use a power drill to drill holes through them.
Sand off any rough spots with a sanding sponge or sand paper.
Paint the simple beads in the matte color of your choice. It helps to hold the bead on a thin stick while painting.
Once your cross and hearts are completely dry paint them with a coat of glossy metallic paint.
Once dry, use a dry brush technique to antique the pieces with a darker shade of glossy metallic paint.
Set the pieces aside to dry.
String your beads onto the wire.
Put a batch of 10 simple beads between each heart. Then string on the remaining beads and cross and secure by twisting the wire around itself.
- ABOUT THE ARTIST -
Meet celebrity crafter Marisa Pawelko, winner of the Craft & Hobby Association Indie Craft Contest and the host of “America’s Next Top Crafter™”. Armed with a formal education in furniture design, Marisa used her talents to design products for the gift, toy, fashion and accessories markets before turning her focus to the craft industry. In 2005, sparked with an idea to create a recycled baby memento-keeper out of one of her son’s baby food jars, she founded Modern Surrealist LLC, which quickly developed an international following. Marisa enjoys inspiring crafters on her blog with thrifty project ideas for “upcycling” ordinary objects, into extraordinary custom creations! Her work has been featured by PBS, HGTV, Illinois State Museum and in countless exhibitions and high end boutiques around the world. Modern Surrealist LLC has been providing customers around the globe with individualized and fantastical gifts, crafts and accessories since 2004. Featuring eclectic themes that celebrate your individuality with humor and heart!
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