Polymer Clay Succulents
Known for their low maintenance, hardiness and adorably plump leaves, succulents have always made popular house plants and landscape accents. Today, these botanical beauties have rooted themselves into modern design and have been brought beyond the planter for Insta-worthy eye-candy in wedding florals, accessories, bouquets, wall hangings, party favors, jewelry and more.
Capitalize on the growing popularity of this organic aesthetic by using sculpted polymer clay to form your own faux plants.
Making the Succulents
Making polymer clay succulents is easier than you think. Start by exploring the source material. There are so many shapes and gorgeous colors found in the exotic world of succulents. Once you have selected your plant of inspiration, begin re-creating it with your favorite polymer clay brand.
Perhaps the most popular and recognizable succulent type is the flowering, desert-dwelling Echeveria. To sculpt this plant's rosette look, cut small circles from rolled flat slabs and pinch the base together to make a "petal" shaped leaf. Layer the petals, placing the point of the new petal between the points of the layer below it, building them up into a fractal-style bloom.
For realistically colored succulents, combine translucent and dusty blues, vibrant greens and other naturally occurring shades of polymer clay to form the waxy sheen of the leaves. Brush on pigment powders, like mica, to add depth and details. Bake your clay succulent to perfection and voila! a lifelike plant ready to decorate your next design.
Designing with Succulents
Terrarium jewelry is still a growing trend--literally. These designs are often created with living plants, but for eco-inspired jewelry designs built to last, replace them with a polymer clay version. To get you started, follow jewelry designer Rose as she leads you through this terrarium ring project we aired on Facebook Live. You'll see exactly how to sculpt and assemble a polymer clay succulent small enough for use in jewelry.
Use this project as a base to sculpt clay succulents in a variety of color palettes, natural or fantastical. Re-imagine wedding accessories, like flower crowns, boutonnieres, corsages and bouquets, for a succulent twist without worrying about wilting. Pastel pinks, creams and airy greens make for dainty spring or traditional romantic touches. Rich pine and deep burgundy with gold accents are beautiful for winter or Pacific Northwest-inspired designs. Play with warmer primary colors for desert-inspired and fall fashion appeal.
For more of an al fresco feel, forgo the container and embrace the wild side of succulents. Cluster multiple polymer clay plants together on jewelry findings or over-fill bezel cup settings. Break up these bunches with a diversity inherent to succulents to form dynamic textures and a feeling of unbridled botanical bliss.
Polymer clay wall "gardens" can complement numerous home décor styles and bring an interesting and versatile outlet for this type of curated chaos. In the eye-catching triptych Summer Time Succulent, Marissa Neun created cohesion with limited color allowing the uniqueness and organic allure of her sculpted succulents to take center stage.
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