How I 'plaster' my walls

I noticed that a few people would like me to show more in depth what I am doing with the paperclay.  Yes, I am 'plastering' the walls with paperclay.  Since I have done a workshop with Rik Pierce I am totally addicted. :-) 

Before I show you the pictures and explain I need to tell you that there are different kinds of paperclay.  One is rather expensive (for me and probably for a few more people) and that is the Creative Paperclay that Rik uses.  It's also the best. I can't deny that, but having said that, I have had satisfactory results with the paperclay that I buy locally (in Brisbane, Australia) at the pottery supply shop.  The good thing is, I can get 10 kilos for the same price as I can buy the Creative Paperclay over here.  The local paperclay is produced in Sydney, I've been told, and the quality is generally good enough for the work I do. 

For my florist I have been using the Creative Paperclay.  For the paperclay workshop I took ('Scrooge', on my other blog) I have used the pottery paperclay.  I am not sure if it was the paperclay itself of the fact that my current batch of Creative Paperclay has dried out slightly, but at the moment I don't have a lot of shrinkage or the cracks that go with it, which I did have with the other sort.  Also, I don't have much left of the good stuff, so I am putting on thinner layers, which also may make a difference.  Thinner layer, less moisture, less room for shrinkage.

Anyway, this is how I do it.  I roll out the paperclay on a tray with edges of approx. 3mm, so when I roll (I use a piece of drainpipe) the sheet is of even width.  I measure the wall and cut out the shape that I need.  I smear glue on the wall, lay the sheet of clay on top and flatten and push it gently in place.  I make the corrections that are needed here and there and roughen the surface with a stiff brush.  When done, it can be left to dry and you can do whatever you want, leave it or give it a light wash for a dirty wall, or paint it in a particular colour (also a wash; for a natural look don't 'paint').

The picture that you see on the wall is a picture made up of tiles.  I have worked it into the 'plaster'.  To my idea it presents a bit of a rustic look.  They are six individual tiles that I have glued on a piece of paper to hold them together to stick neatly onto the wall.

I have made up another one as well, but that picture will hang 'on' the wall.  It's also a series of tiles, but framed.  I'll show you it at a later stage.

I'm going back to work now, before the last of the afternoon light fades away.  I don't like working with artificial light.

I hope my explanations have been of some use to you.

See you around

Marion