Craft clay can be used for sculptures and many other craft projects.
Craft clay or polymer clay is an extremely versatile material which can be used for a huge variety of art projects. It is available in different brands from craft stores. Craft clay must be baked in an oven when your project is finished, so check different manufacturer's instructions for appropriate temperatures and times.
Beads and Buttons
A very simple craft play project for beginners is to make beads or buttons. Roll small pieces of clay between the palms of your hand until you make a ball and use a large needle to pierce through for round beads. For buttons, flatten the ball on a hard surface and pierce two or four holes for later threading. Paint with craft paints, decorate with glitter or try embedding small pieces of foil or tiny glass beads in them. As your skills advance, try beads and buttons of different shapes, which can be formed with clay-modeling tools.
Thumb Pots
Thumb pots are simple to make and have a rustic charm. Roll a ball of clay (roughly the size of a tennis ball) and press your thumb down into the center until you reach about 1/4 inch from the base. Keeping your thumb in this indentation, start pinching the clay outwards, gradually moving your thumb around the hole until it increases to the desired size and the pot sides are relatively thin. Press the base onto a flat, hard surface to create an even bottom. Decorate and bake.
Sculptures and Models
Small sculptures of almost any form can be created from craft clay. For more complex sculptures, press in objects made from other materials, such as metal. For educational projects, visit a museum or gallery, sketch sculptures and re-create a miniature version in the classroom. For self-portrait busts, shape shoulders and a neck, create a ball-shaped head and press it onto the shoulders. Hollow out eyes and use excess clay to mold eye-shapes and press in. Form rolls of clay for the mouth and eyebrows and use your fingers to start pressing the features into shape. Finish with clay hair.
Book Ends, Coasters and Name Plates
Craft clay can be used to create ornaments with virtually no sculpting required. For coasters or nameplates, create balls or squares, flatten them into geometric shapes then decorate them in the same manner as beads and buttons.
For basic book ends, create two solid rectangles the size of chunky paperbacks. Paint around the two shorter edges and one long edge with white paint. Paint the rest a darker base color, then bake. Make color photocopies of your favorite book cover. Dampen them with water, stick them onto the outside of each rectangle and then varnish over with PVA glue.
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