Polymer Clay MP3 Player Holder

Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to create fun polymer clay MP3 player holder.

The project begins by creating a base for the MP3 player.
Project designed by Randy Townsend.


Materials:

one 6 oz. Size Good & Plenty candy box
two 2 oz. blocks of Premo polymer clay: black
one 2 oz. bottle of Translucent Liquid Sculpey
one 2 oz. block Premo polymer clay: gold
one 2 oz. block Premo polymer clay: cadmium red
2 oz. bottle of Translucent Liquid Sculpey
4" of 20-gauge black craft wire
48" of black cotton twine
polymer clay varnish
ruler
craft knife
wax paper
Sculpey Super Slicer
3" x 5" index card
work surface (ceramic or granite tile recommended)
pasta machine (Atlas brand recommended)
oven
oven mitts
oven thermometer
flat baking tray
flexible rubber stamp sheet with tiger stripe pattern (size: 4-1/4" x 5-3/4")
cornstarch
acrylic rod
round nose pliers
bamboo skewer
1 sheet of 200 grit wet/dry automotive sandpaper
1 sheet of 400 grit wet/dry automotive sandpaper
cyanoacrelate glue
#4 flat paintbrush (to apply varnish)
Construction of I-Pod Cardboard Case


Empty the candy box. Measure 4-1/4" up from the base of the box, and then evenly cut the top off using a craft knife.

Condition the two blocks of black clay and roll them into two sheets using the fourth thickest setting on the pasta machine (figure A).

Cut a straight edge along the bottom of your clay. Cut a perpendicular straight edge along the right side of your clay (figure B). Align your box with the cut corner of the clay. Using the cut box as a guide, wrap the clay around the box completely, then cut a clean edge to make a straight seam where the clay comes together. Unwrap the clay from the box and set the clay aside.

Coat all sides of the box with Translucent Liquid Sculpey. Wrap the rectangular sheet of clay around the box. Smooth the seam and make sure the top and bottom are neatly trimmed. Cut a small rectangle piece of clay 1" wide and 3" long from the original sheet. To cover the base, stand the bottom corner of the box on the corner of the small rectangular piece and trim the top and side edge so all sides are flush.

Note: If you have trouble attaching the bottom, it may be easier to bake the wrapped box first (20 minutes at 275 degrees).


Once cooled cut the clay rectangle for the bottom and attach it to the baked portion of the box with liquid clay. Bake again and cool.

Using a 3" x 5" index card, Cut out a rectangular template for the display and controls window that is 3-3/8" long and 1-3/4" wide.

Center the template over the front of the black box 3/8" from the bottom. Mark the outline of the template with a pencil.

Cut a hole in the front of the box tracing the template outline using a craft knife to create a viewing window for the display and controls (figure C).
Note: You can place two blocks of clay inside the box to support the sides while you are cutting out the display hole. This will prevent you from crushing or bending the box while cutting the hole.

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