Rose Tutorial

There are several ways to make roses, and some look more realistic than others. I have three methods, this is the second method that I have learnt and is by far the most widely used method in my jewellery. I hope this inspires you to give it a try and see what you can make!!

You will need:

Polymer Clay; any colour what so ever.
A knife or you can just use your hands to separate the pieces.
Some nimble fingers!

Condition your clay well before you start so it is easier to use.

1. Take a ball of whatever colour polymer clay you like. Mine is about 1.5cm in diameter.

Obviously, the larger the ball that you begin with, the larger the flower will be. If you want to make tiny roses then you will need a smaller ball.

 2. Next you are going to divide the ball into seven parts. Do this by first cutting the ball in half, and then cutting one of the halves into three pieces and the other half into four.

Keep the group of three and four separate from each other at this stage as it will be useful to know which way round they are when it comes to assembling your rose.

 

 3. So, take the smallest piece of the group of four and squish it between your fingers into an oval shape. Some say plectrum shape and some say round, but I say oval.

Really, only the top edge needs to be somewhat perfect, the rest isn't going to be visible, so do the best you can. If you find it sticks to your fingers use a touch of baby powder.

NOTE: Don't use a lot of baby powder because not only will it prevent the clay sticking to you, it will also prevent the clay sticking to other bits of clay. If there is excess on your piece when you are done, it will wipe off after it has been baked.

I use a little bit of baby powder and dip my fingers in it occasionally-this seems to work best for me.

4. Next, roll that little petal you made to make a spiral. This will be the centre of your flower.

5. Now squish the next smallest piece of the group of four pieces into an oval shape.

 6. Wrap this second petal around your spiral, pinching it at the bottom. Try and follow the direction of the spiral, so that if it is anticlockwise (like mine is) you wind the petals round anticlockwise.

 7. Move on to the third petal now, using the third smallest, attach in the same way as number 2, just a little bit further round. You should have a gap between the folds of the second petal, place thethird one there.

Pinch at the bottom.

 8. This is what you are aiming for with the third petal.

Now squish the last piece of the group of four and attach a little further round from petal three. Remember to wrap carefully and pinch at the bottom. It lets the inner bloom stick out a bit more if done just right.

 9. Now to tackle the surrounding outer petals. Take the smallest piece of the three remaining pieces and flatten it almost as flat as it will go with your fingers. Wrap this huge petal around the rose.

You are aiming for it to cover 1/3 of the exterior of the rose. You will need to bring the petal up and set it higher than the other ones as later we will work these outer petals.

 10. Do the same with the final two pieces.

 11. Don't worry about any tattered edges, it adds to the realism. You can always tatter them yourself by using a small pointed tool if you want the older bloom affect.

 12. Now gently, with your fingers or a soft brush, turn the larger petals outward and pinch in the middle of the outer edge of the petals. This creates a blown bloom look and gives it the beautiful natural shape of an older rose.

If you want a younger rose, don't put the outer petals so high up in comparison to the middle and only pull them away from the main bloom slightly at this stage.

 13. Finally, carefully cut the end of the rose that you have been holding on to off.

14. Now you can do what you want with them, make them into a bead, or collage them.

This is a piece in the making for Valentines.

Groups of these roses look gorgeous together, but are equally gorgeous on their own.

You will need to bake them once you have decided what you want to do with them. This will make the clay hard. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for that.

Once baked you can add rhinestones to their centres to make them sparkle, you can paint them, gloss them, glue them onto something else or just leave them as they are!!

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