Picture Frame Tutorial

Below is one Method of making small picture frames from Poly-Tools clay cutters. This method requires both sets of clay cutters. Frames can be made from any one cutter, however the dull side is used as a cutting template for the back and center pieces of the frame.

	Cover a two inch square of an oven safe material with polymer clay about 1/8" thick or thickest setting of your pasta machine. Be careful to lay the polymer clay so air is not introduced.		Cover the clay with a thin sheet of plastic. In this project I used a sheet of deli wrap. Very handy in my studio because they're already cut and good for wrapping up clay or covering blends that I want to use later.
	Set the smaller shape inside the larger same shape, then set both on the plastic covered clay.Check alignment visually, adjust as necessary. Press hard, straight down.		Dust this piece with powders. In this project I used Ranger's Perfect Pearls Aged Pitina Colors. The clay is now ready if you desire texture on your polymer clay frame front. This is the first of 3 pieces.
	I added texture to my frame front using this Sandi Miller rubber stamp, pressing directly into the powdered clay on my aluminum square.		This is a picture of what it looks like ready to go into the oven. The piece in the center can be removed at this point, I leave it, just knowing I will find another use for it later. After it is cured an x-acto blade may be very useful both to get under one edge of this piece to pop it off of the square and also to trim out the center piece.
	Make a center piece for the frame. I cut the shape with the largest cutter from very thin clay. I used the smaller cutter to cut away most of the inside. A craft knife was then used to cut more clay away, leaving only a thin partial frame, one side open to allow the picture to slide in.		This is the three elements that make this frame. The solid back, the thin piece for the center, and the front of the frame. The back can be textured and colored with the Perfect Pearls powders, and the center piece can be colored with powder on its outside edge.
	Assembling the frame. I used Fimo liquid clay, applying a very small amount to one side of the center piece. I used a pin dipped into the liquid clay to apply the gel. that piece is then set on the back piece, and I cure it at this stage for 5 to 10 min.		With the center piece pin place, another bead of liquid gel is placed on that slender piece now attached to the back, and then the front is set in place.
	A picture is cut to size and inserted in the open side. I scanned this picture, sized it, then coated it with Fimo liq. clay before cutting it to the shape I needed.		Our cutters are great tools to use in a number of different ways, I have enjoyed making some little picture frames. Do you recognize any personalities in the tiny pictures here? It is not difficult to make a frame from any one cutter size. The back side needs to be used a a template for cutting.

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