Surprise, Perfect Polymer Presents.

Surprisingly these little presents are not covered in paper, but Polymer Clay veneers. In this detailed tutorial I take you through everything you need to know from creating the present shapes, the patterned wrappings, ribbons, bows, holly leaves, gift tag and filial details. So, grab something to drink, sit back, relax, and unwind, as I show you how to make these sweet little stacks of decorated presents. Then have a go and make some of your own.
The music from the video is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny and Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, both available from the KZbin Free Audio Library.
If you like my work, then please do have a look at my website, www.fionaabel-smith.co.uk/ and follow me on Facebook / fiona.abelsmith and Instagram. / fionaabelsmith.artist
I also have a number of Polymer Clay PDF Tutorials to buy in my Etsy shop, PolyOriginals - www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOrig... and as a video tutorial here - polyoriginals.thinkific.com/co...
Here is the link to my conditioning Polymer Clay video - • Conditioning Polymer C... . Here is the link to the Skinner Blends video - • Basic Skinner Blend Tu... .The Cute Festive Trees Video I refer to is here - • Cute, Festive Trees in... go to 34.50 minutes to see the decorative bows I mention.
Polymer Clay is oven baked, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the brand of clay you are using, and I always protect my clay when baking by tenting it in aluminium foil, just in case my oven spikes in temperature. I also use an oven thermometer.
I used FIMO Soft Polymer Clay, but all well-known brands of polymer clay will work well for this project. Use whatever colours you wish to create your patterns and designs.
I used a Pasta Machine dedicated to Polymer Clay use to create blends/thin sheets and condition the clay. My Pasta Machine is an Atlas 180, and it has setting 0 as its thickest and 9 as its thinnest. There is a standard way of calculating the thickness of clay required, by using stacked playing cards. On my machine the thickness are as follows: Setting 0 = 8 playing cards, setting 1 = 7, setting 2 = 6, setting 3 = 5, setting 4 = 4, setting 5 = 3, setting 6 and 7 = 2, setting 8 and 9 = 1 card.
Depending on whether you are making a hanging decoration or a standing stack, other equipment you may need is:
A polymer Clay Blade / Craft Knife / small roller / 4mm Cable Needle - or something similar.
1mm, and 0.8mm craft/jewellery wire (18 and 20 gauge) cut a piece of each longer than your parcel stack. A tiny piece of very thin (0.4mm/26 gauge wire) if you are adding a gift tag.
Wire Cutters, small round nosed pliers / needle, or wire just larger than 1mm to make holes. Mini jewellery/craft drill if you are making holes after the clay is baked.
Liquid Polymer Clay (PVA glue would be okay for this project as an alternative) / PolyPaste if you have any, it can be found here - www.clayaround.com/shoppage/p... - but is not essential.
Foam or sponge texture, not essential.
Sculpey Ultralight Clay is available from many online or craft stores or use stacks of corrugated cardboard cut to the size you need and cover them in a thin layer of scrap polymer clay - bake before adding the decorative veneers.
PACPEN - I use tiny cutters from Aggies Miniatures on Etsy. I used the Christmas set 04, and Ornaments set 30 - www.agneshorvath.co.uk/copy-o... These are not essential, use any small cutters you have.
I also used small round, oval and star cutters - The round cutters can either be bought in a set specifically used for polymer clay from many shops on Etsy, but I have also bought them direct off eBay, where you can search under ‘Cord Pin End Crimp Terminal Wire Copper Connectors’, to find similar cutters, but you will get a huge amount all the same sizes. Other small cutters are available from many good craft shops and online.
I use a ripple blade, but this is not essential.
Pencil or something similar as a mould for the hanging finial element.
A couple of beads with holes large enough to thread the wire. I added 4mm glass crystals - they are not essential.
I work on a large tile and use a small tile to bake on.
Aluminium foil to cover the clay while it bakes.
Measuring sheet, or something similar - this is freely downloadable from www.printablepaper.net. I laminate mine so I can use it multiple times.
Ribbon to hang your decoration.
I really hope you have fun with these, and cannot wait to see what you create.
Thank you so much for watching.

[@Sweetp45209]

You are the best. I rarely post anything but I must say I think you are awesome. Thank you

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Awww, I really appreciate it, thank you so much 🙂

[@Adrienne117]

Thank you so much! I especially appreciate the holly cane. I make a polymer clay Christmas ornament every year for my grandson, and have always just used plain old green. Now my holly leaves will be amazing!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Brilliant, have fun, I love the idea of making him one each year, thanks so much 🙂

[@rendaowe]

So adorable, the cutest ornaments I’ve seen this year. ❤️👏😉👍🏼🫵

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you very much 🙂

[@dianedodge2650]

WOW! The details on these pieces are amazing! ❤❤❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

awww, thank you so much 🙂

[@Esoteric_Designs]

Now this is something very special! I love this! Thank you so much for this tutorial! 💞

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are very welcome June, I am so glad you like it 🙂

[@lindylittleton4183]

Excellent tutorial as ever, thanks for all the inspiration and gift ideas

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad you liked it, thanks so much 🙂

[@Julsfr]

Those Christmas present box ornaments are absolutely stunning, very unique 🎅

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you very much 🙂

[@DebbiMarie]

What an awesome idea for name tags for your Christmas Table. A special little keepsake with their name! Awesome. Thanks so very much 😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

So glad you like them, thanks so much 🙂

[@UraniumFire]

I saw your post on Instagram about this video, so I was so excited to see the notification on my phone. Your work is inspiring.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

awww, thank you so much,. I am so happy you liked it 🙂

[@ehirasuna2770]

Excellent tutorial as usual! Love all your creative ideas and superb instructions! Thanks Fiona

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad you liked it, thanks so much 🙂

[@RD9_Designs]

Fiona, thanks so much for this tutorial! I have no issue with the length of your videos. Just saying, to offset the comment I see about your videos being too long! If I didn't have time, your videos are so special that I would make the time to go sit in a closet, or hide behind a tree from my kids just to watch! This is the best seasonal video I've seen! I love it! Happy Holidays to you and your family!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Oh bless you, that is so kind of you to say. I am so glad you liked this one, it was fun to do and I am loving seeing lots of little stacks of presents popping up on social media. Thanks so much, and happy holidays to you and your family too. 🙂🙏🙏

[@karalewis8671]

I love these! Unfortunately, I can't make them for this Christmas, because I'm still recovering from a major hand surgery, but I will ve making these when I can. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Get better really soon, and then yes, you can have lots of fun with these and other projects too. Thank you and best wishes for your recovery 🙂

[@selene4621]

What a wonderful cute way to decorate a tree or a workspace or a coffee table they are wonderful

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@dorotaniznik5728]

Lovely tutorial and those cute little parcels❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad you liked it, thank you very much 🙂

[@dawnfrye4539]

Wow, those are absolutely adorable. love these.😀

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@bryghteyes74]

They're all adorable! Thank you ❤😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so happy you like them, thanks so much 🙂

[@jka4649]

You have really outdone yourself on this one. Wow. So many wonderful details.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

awww, wonderful, thank you so much 🙂

[@judiedmundson2736]

Love this tutorial, you had a lot of suggestions which is what I like because I really need them 😊. You really know your work, so amazing. ❤❤❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am so glad you liked it, thank you 🙂

[@DerekDogsforSentience]

Perfection as usual. Something unique for Christmas, talking of which, Dexter and I want to wish you a wonderfully happy Christmas 🎄 and a happy and healthy new year 💜 Oh and we love all your tutorials, long and short 💜

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

aww, thank you so much both, and wishing both you and Dexter a very Happy christmas and New Year too 🙂🙏🙏

[@DerekDogsforSentience]

@@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals 💜🎄💜

[@brendaroberts1550]

So cute, love your artistry and tutorials ❤

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful, thank you so much 🙂

[@nanasartsyfartsycrafts2557]

Wonderful tutorial. I make ornaments s for my family every year and I’m going to add this

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Fantastic, have fun, thanks so much 🙂

[@lizrichardson3309]

Lovely! And I had to get the cutters........😊😊

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thanks so much Liz, and they are so useful once you have them - have fun with yours 🙂

[@tishsmiddy71]

So glad to hear you ❤ Happy crafting yours are Amazing 😊 Thank you.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@bonniewyke1750]

Love these! Thank you!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Great, thanks so much 🙂

[@nini4349]

they are lovely and cute :)

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@leonanelson2444]

Everything is beautiful, thank you

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are so welcome Leona, thank you 🙂

[@melissaphillis7247]

So creative and fun!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Wonderful, thanks so much 🙂

[@maureencarson1183]

So much detail beautiful

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@kristibbradshaw]

So cute.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@marywoods6329]

Just wonderful I love to watch you

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Thank you so much Mary 🙂

[@argrover4210]

Love your work! :) thank you for sharing! :) I also wanted to suggest using any "old" clay to make t he presents with.. so none goes to waste. 😉

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

You are very welcome, thank you so much 🙂

[@artefeitoamao218]

Parabéns me vende aula em PDF

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

Obrigado. Todos os meus tutoriais em PDF estão na minha loja Etsy, o link é - www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PolyOriginals 🙂

[@katta0706]

where did you buy the tiny cutter?

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

All the information you need is in the video description. Just click on where it says ......more and it will open it all up for you, including the links I have added for everyone 😉🙂

[@Julzzzsatx]

Fiona, I love your work. You are a fantastic teacher. My only issue & it's mine!! Your videos are just too long. I want to sit & watch it all, but I just don't have an hour & a half. Perhaps make a smaller ornament so you can teach us the steps. Just a thought. Thank you great idea. I hope to see the rest tomorrow.

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

I am glad you like the idea, some of my videos are short, some like this are long, so people can dip in and out as they like 😉🙂

[@lorimontcalm9086]

Change your playback speed, that's what I do!! If you don't know how to do that, just ask!!!

[@FionaAbelSmithPolyOriginals]

oooh that's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that, thanks so much@@lorimontcalm9086 🙂

[@succsclay]

That’s what I do - just watch them at double the speed! 🙂

[@ishkastreasures6521]

This artist is one of the very few who shares the whole process and hides nothing. For beginners who need a very informative video about every tool and every movement, her long videos are priceless. You have the option to change the speed, jump, or watch in sections. Her video is good as it is.