"I Need The Hero Swords As Bookmarks"

To get these little swords started, I carved the blades out of popsicle sticks using a craft knife and rotary drill. With each blade whittled to the correct length and shape, I made a wire armature to sculpt the handles out of various colors of polymer clay. The appropriate shade of mica powder was applied before firing, and then a black acrylic patina applied after to make the details pop. Each blade is gilded with silver leaf, and black acrylic was again used to bring out the details and, in Sting's case, hand painted. After a gloss and satin varnish, embroidery thread and beads in colors that coordinate with their hero turn these miniature swords into functional bookmarks.