Leaf of Lorien

I'm starting my LoTR planning by making myself a Leaf of Lorien.  

I'm using FIMO Effects modelling Clay by #Staedtler in "Glitter Green" 

"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall" ~ (Aragorn)

Step One:  I printed out a picture of the leaf of Lorien in the size that I wanted it (I went for 10cm x 6.8cm) and roll thin lengths of clay with your fingers to cover all of the veins of the leaf, making the ends of each bit taper off to a point, as it creates a more realistic effect.  I used a round glass mat to work on, but you could easily just cover a book with clingfilm - just make sure that it's not something that your clay will stick on.

Step Two: I did the same, but with longer lengths of clay, building the outline of the leaf.

Step Three:  I put the 'veins' to one side and worked on the body of the leaf next.  I rolled out the clay to about 1mm deep and enough to cover the template.

Step Four:  I used a cocktail stick to engrave the outline of the template into the clay.

Step Five: I cut out the leaf outline (I used a standard kitchen knife, but a craft knife would be a lot easier).

Step Six: Here is where I found my glass plate particularly useful - I flipped the glass over and used it to place the veins on top of the body of the leaf.  Because I could see through the glass, I was able to match them up more or less perfectly.  Without a glass plate, I'd recommend doing it the other way and placing the leaf on the veins, apply a little pressure to get them to stick to each other, and then peel the leaf off of your working surface.

Step Seven:  I added the "stem" and "vines."  These will be painted silver later.

Step Eight: Using a cocktail stick, I added texture to the leaf.

Step Nine: I flipped the leaf and placed a needle on the back, securing it with some more clay.  (This is so that I can add a brooch attachment later.)

Step Ten: Bake!  I put mine in the oven at 110 degrees centigrade for 20 minutes.  Depending on how thick you have rolled your clay, it may take longer - but not more than 30 minutes.

Step Eleven: Paint!  I used green and white acrylic paint (I would have used silver instead of white, but I didn't have any).  

Step 12: I coated the whole brooch with clear nail varnish to give it an enamel sheen.

Et voila!