Making clay calla lilies is a delightful and artistic endeavor that allows you to create stunning, long-lasting floral arrangements or decorative accents for your home. Whether you choose to use air-dry clay or polymer clay, the process involves shaping, coloring, and assembling the parts of the calla lily: the spadix (the flower’s central spike), the spathe (the elegant, flared petal), and sometimes the stem and leaves. Here, we will explore a detailed step-by-step guide to crafting these beautiful flowers, suitable for both beginners and more experienced crafters.
Materials Needed:
- Clay (air-dry or polymer)
- Rolling pin or clay roller
- Knife or clay cutting tool
- Floral wire (for stems and structure)
- Wire cutters
- Green floral tape
- Acrylic paint (white and yellow for the traditional calla lily colors)
- Fine paintbrushes
- Gloss varnish (optional, for a shiny finish)
- A small bowl or dish for shaping
Step 1: Preparing Your Workspace
Start by setting up a clean, flat workspace. A silicone mat or a piece of wax paper can help keep clay from sticking to surfaces. Gather all your materials and tools so everything is within reach. If you’re using polymer clay, make sure to condition it by kneading until it’s pliable. Air-dry clay can be used directly from the package but may require a little kneading to soften it up.
Step 2: Making the Spathe (The Flower Petal)
Roll out your chosen clay on your work surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick. Use a rolling pin or clay roller to achieve an even thickness. Create a teardrop shape by cutting out a large oval and then shaping one end into a point. This will form the spathe, which is the most distinctive part of the calla lily. The wider end will wrap around the spadix, and the pointed end will flare out beautifully. If you like, you can use a real leaf or a plastic one as a template to get the ideal shape and size.
Step 3: Shaping the Spadix
Roll a piece of clay between your hands to form a thin cone about the length of your spathe but much narrower. This cone does not need to be perfect; a slightly irregular shape adds to the natural look of the flower. The thicker end will sit at the base of the spathe, and the pointed end will protrude slightly from the top.
Step 4: Assembling the Flower
Wrap the rounded part of the spathe gently around the spadix, ensuring that the thicker end of the spadix aligns with the bottom of the spathe. The spathe should envelop the lower two-thirds of the spadix, with the top part sticking out. Adjust the flare of the spathe with your fingers, curling it to create a graceful, open look typical of calla lilies.
Step 5: Creating the Stem and Leaves
Cut a length of floral wire to serve as the stem. It should be long enough to support the flower and allow for insertion into a vase or floral foam. Wrap the wire with green floral tape, starting at the top and working your way down to the bottom. This not only colors the wire but also provides a better surface for the clay to adhere to. For the leaves, roll out more green clay and cut out leaf shapes. Real calla lily leaves are large and arrow-shaped, so you can use a template or freehand this based on pictures. Attach the leaves to the stem by pressing them into the floral tape.
Step 6: Painting and Finishing Touches
Once the clay has dried completely—which may take up to 24 hours for air-dry clay or after baking for polymer clay—use acrylic paint to add details. Traditional calla lilies are white with a yellow spadix, but you can choose any color scheme you like. Paint the spathe and spadix carefully, let it dry, and then apply a second coat if necessary. Once the paint is dry, apply a coat of gloss varnish to give your flower a realistic wet look and protect the paint.
Step 7: Arrangement
Once your individual flowers are complete, you can arrange them as desired. Use floral foam in a pot to stick the stems into or arrange them in a vase with other artificial flowers for a mixed bouquet. The flexibility of the wire stems allows you to position each flower precisely as needed for your arrangement.
Crafting clay calla lilies is a meditative and rewarding craft that results in beautiful, durable flowers perfect for home decor or gifts. With practice, you can experiment with different sizes, colors, and arrangements to truly make the project your own. Enjoy the creative process and the lasting beauty of your handmade clay calla lilies.