Mixed Media Fairy Gift Tag Project with Andy Skinner

Step 1 – Create the Clay Casts
Tint the air-drying clay if desired by mixing in a small amount of Cosmic Shimmer Water-Based Ink. Allow the clay to rest for around 25–30 minutes before moulding. Dust the Little Things Silicone Mould lightly with cornflour, then press the clay firmly into the fairy design, working it carefully into all the details. Remove any excess clay and flatten the back before gently flexing the mould to release the cast. Repeat the process for the separate butterfly elements and leave all pieces to dry for approximately 24 hours.

Step 2 – Apply the Base Colours
Once the clay casts are fully dry, paint each area with a base coat of Matt Chalk Paint. For the dress and base use Chalkboard, wings in Daphne, Chestnut for the hair and the skin painted with Coral Glow. Take time to keep the colour areas neat, as these base colours will create the shadows beneath the dry-brushed highlights. Allow everything to dry completely before moving on.

Step 3 – Dry Brush the Fairy
Using a dry brushing brush, begin building highlights across the raised details with the chalk paints. For the dress, apply Shallow Sea first, followed by Ice Blue, then Warm White on the highest folds and edges. The technique involves loading the brush with paint, wiping almost all of it away, then lightly brushing across the raised details to catch only the highest points. Dry brush the hair with Umber, then add a touch of Warm White mixed into the Umber to create subtle highlights. For the skin, mix Coral Glow and Warm White together and lightly dry brush over the face, arms and legs to create natural highlights while allowing the darker base coat to remain visible in the recesses.

Step 4 – Add Shimmer to the Wings
Mix Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Mica Pigment with Clear Matt Finish Glaze to create a soft shimmering paint. Apply this across the wings, allowing the iridescent pigment to enhance the underlying colour. The matt finish keeps the project soft and elegant while still catching the light beautifully.

Step 5 – Create the Background Tag
Paint a piece of Smooth White Cardstock with Vanilla Matt Chalk Paint, coating both sides to prevent warping. Stamp the background using an embossing ink pad and the Distressed Mandala Rubber Stamp, then cover with White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set.

Blend Victorian Velvet Distress Oxide Ink over the embossed design, concentrating the colour towards the lower section of the tag and fading it upwards for a soft ombré effect. The embossed areas resist the ink, allowing the pattern to remain visible.

To remove the glossy finish from the embossing powder, lightly sand the surface using a sanding block. This creates a soft matt appearance that complements the chalk-painted background.

Step 6 – Assemble the Tag
Arrange the butterflies and fairy on the tag before committing to the final layout. Once happy with the design, glue the butterflies into place using Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue. Then apply glue to the back of the fairy and secure it to the centre of the tag.

Add a stamped ribbon sentiment beneath the figure to complete the design. In Andy's example, the word Believe adds a gentle finishing touch that perfectly complements the whimsical fairy theme.

Finished Project
The completed tag showcases how effective dry brushing can be for bringing moulded details to life. The combination of Matt Chalk Paints, subtle iridescent shimmer and layered highlights creates depth, texture and character, while the embossed background provides a soft decorative setting for the fairy figure. By simply changing the paint colours, wing effects or background shades, the same mould can be used to create a wide variety of enchanting projects.