Hand'n Sand -TREASURES OF THE SEA WEALTH VASE ~

Hand sculpted clay Starfish and Sand Dollars add enchanting personal touches to a unique, mystical and dare I say, auspicious decor piece for your home or office ~ The Nautical Wealth Vase ~ give it a whirl🧭

A (medium to large) "terrarium style" *Glass* vessel filled with a bounty of earthly AND MARITIME gems, symbolizing riches ~both physical and metaphorical; but either way, a tranquil treat for the eyes. **THIS ONE features Hand-sculpted clay STARFISH and SAND DOLLARS** ~the other contents can be some of nature's impressive (& priceless) offerings, that are more readily available and abundant. 🐚

>⚫The Wealth Vase derives from the ancient Chinese culture of Feng Shui, and is believed to bring it's owner(s) great financial prosperity. The term 'Feng Shui' translates to "Wind Water" and centers around a philosophy of using and/or incorporating such "forces" of the universe into one's life, creating "balance & harmony" with the environment.

🔆The VASE is (always) made of natural material (glass/crystal, terra cotta, ceramic, porcelain, etc)

>⚫FILLED with Sand from the "land / grounds of the wealthy"

🔆Gems, jewels, baubles = wealth symbols; items signifying wealth and prosperity

>⚫The vase's opening is COVERED / sealed with five pieces of cloth; one in each COLOR representing the "Universal Forces" or ELEMENTS:

🔆Red = Fire 🔆Blue = Water 🔆Brown = Earth 🔆White (or Yellow/Gold) = Metal 🔆Green = Wood

>⚫Further, these elements work with-or-against, nurture-or-inhibit each other, but that, alas, is another Instructable~

🔆We're sailing just a bit off course with this project, all the while virtually capturing the Wind (& the Water) inside a conversation piece. But in keeping with the traditional version, KEEP IT a "conversation piece" ~once sealed, these aren't meant to be disturbed. ✨⛵

STARFISH AND SAND DOLLAR:

☀Molding Clay

☀Star shaped (cookie) cutter or stencil

☀Round/circle shaped (cookie) cutter or stencil

☀Picture of a Sand dollar & Starfish (if necessary), see attached

☀Exacto knife (or even a plastic knife)

☀Scissors

☀Paint (water color, acrylic) -Optional -*Sanddollars are generally white / off-white & Starfish generally pink/coral/tan/light brown

VASE and CONTENT(S):

♦Vase or large jar / canister; either round or square, stout / wide ~ as a long, thin neck or bud vase is NOT recommended for this project; see photo(s)

♦Sand ~I used beach sand -make sure it's clean and completely dry (I used bleach and set in the sun for a couple days, but that is optional)

♦Gems, Coins, Sea Glass, SHELLS;

♦Miscellaneous "good-luck charms", baubles-*especially if they have meaning to you! (Of nautical nature, ideal)

♦*I had "mermaid" and "octopus" designed marbles-(I found at a gift shop) ♦Toy treasure chests-(party supplies/available online) ♦Chinese Coins and ♦Pyrite (excellent for wealth vases and also available online)*

♦Five Colored Cloth pieces/swatches - big enough to cover the mouth of your vase, but not to obstruct the view inside - One of Each Color: Red, Blue, Brown, White (or Yellow/Gold) and Green

*{as pictured, for this design, I chose a soft / pastel shade of each color ~in the "color family"~ for a more light, beachy look -as opposed to dark, vibrant hues}*

♦Ribbon / String / *Raffia / *Jute Twine (Rubber band is optional)

STARFISH:

☀Roll a chunk of clay out to about a 1/4 INCH THICK

☀Trace your Star shape(s) onto the clay & cut out with an exacto or plastic knife

Or

☀Cut out your Star shape(s) with a star-shaped cutter >per your desired sized -per (size of) your Vase,

Optional (Tip):

☀Slightly curve the tips of each point (of the star) to either the right or the left, creating "life-like motion"

☀(If not already in your desired Color), Paint your Starfish; I went with a Coral color

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☀SET IN A MOISTURE FREE AREA TO DRY AND HARDEN (COMPLETELY), this may take a day or two-or per pkg directions☀ ⤵

SAND DOLLAR:

☀This Clay should be white

☀Roll a chunk of clay to about an 1/8 INCH THICK (or less)

☀Sand Dollars are considerably thin, but nothing has to be precise, just per preference (& fun)

☀Trace your Circle(s) & cut out Or just use anything round to make your cut-out(s) from the Clay, to your desired size -per (size of) your Vase,

☀Trace & cut out the little "oval-like" designs on the top of the sand dollar (see photo / pattern attached); you might even use the tip of a knife & make small lines (in the clay) in between the oval cut-outs and in the center decoratively

Optional:

☀a coating of paint and/or a dusting of sand or glitter to add a fun "fauxthentic" touch to your model. Beads / rhinestones as well

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☀SET IN A MOISTURE FREE AREA TO DRY AND HARDEN (COMPLETELY), this may take a day or two-or per pkg directions☀*You can lean it on something round(ed), to dry with a slight curvature (I used a large shell)*

☀You can also freehand both figures

🔅FILL your vessel as follows:

1st: ☀SAND ~Layer the bottom with your Sand, about a quarter of the way up or to your liking

2nd: ☀add GEMS / JEWELS / TRINKETS (*Including YOUR HAND-CRAFTED MASTERPIECES) ~on top of the sand

3rd: ☀the FIVE COLOR CLOTHS ~Lay all -5- pieces of fabric on top of each other, OVER THE OPENING OF THE VASE

(🔅ONE OF EACH COLOR: ☀Red ☀Blue ☀Green. ☀Brown ☀White *or* Yellow (*or even a champagne or gold tone*))

4th: ☀RIBBON/RAFFIA or TWINE ~TIE around the fabric SEALING / CLOSING / COVERING THE VASE

**Wrapping a Rubber band around the fabric BEFORE the twine is optional, may be helpful**

🔆Optional: Tie the SAND DOLLAR ..or an additional one(?)... around the fabric toppers, on a ribbon & let it drape (as an external ornament).

🔆Maybe you'll create a new family heirloom...🧭