(Note – If you’re new to my page, this is how it works: At the beginning of each week I randomly draw a new project from my Challenge Bucket, then see what I can create before the week is over. You can read all about my Creativity Challenge here.)
This week I pulled out of the Challenge Bucket… Polymer Clay!
While I don’t have a ton of experience with polymer clay, I did use it for one project years ago when my kids were toddlers. I had decided that I wanted to create an advent calendar for them (there weren’t nearly as many of them on the market then as there are now), so purchased a big box of white clay to make little Christmas ornaments with. I crafted, baked, and painted 25 unique little ornaments that would be hung daily on a tree I’d drawn on a piece of wood. It was SO fun to create all the little miniatures and begin a new family tradition.
I’ve hardly touched polymer clay since then, and the big box I’d bought became so unworkable that I sent it to a new “home” when I decluttered the house last year. This meant that I’d need to purchase new clay for my latest Creativity Challenge. But first… what to create??
My mind immediately went to all the sweet little charms with kawaii faces that I’d seen online. What do I need a little charm for? Nothing! Would I make one anyway? Yes I would!
A quick internet search brought up hundreds of ideas from animals to food items to plants, all with those cute little happy faces. While I loved them all, one in particular caught my eye. Probably due to the anticipation of autumn, my eyes paused on a small orange pumpkin with little feet, leaves, and, of course, that sweet happy face. Immediately I pictured him sitting on the window sill in front of the sink, smiling at me as I worked in the kitchen. The decision was made.
This time when purchasing clay, I decided to try out the colored clay instead of white. I found a multi-pack at Michael’s with a great orange color, then purchased a pack of clay shaping tools from the Dollar Tree.
I pulled out the clay and began kneading it when I realized I had a bunch of questions: How do I do this? Do I make a ball or do I hollow it out? How would I bake it if it was a thick ball? Turning again to the internet, I learned that I should make an armature… turning AGAIN to the internet, I learned that an armature is a frame used to support the clay that’s being sculpted. This means that the creation doesn’t have to be solid clay and will bake much more evenly. The good news was that all I’d need for my pumpkin armature was some tin foil.
I rolled out the clay, wrapped it around the tin foil ball, then began carving segments into it. Once they were all carved I realized that I did not like the shape at all – much too round – so I reshaped it and carved out the segments again. And then did the same thing 2 more times. I definitely felt my inexperience as I tried to carve and smooth the surface, then began to notice all the particles of dust the clay was picking up! Ugh! Definitely an amateur here!
It took a lot longer to make a satisfactory pumpkin shape than I thought it would, but I finally was happy to move on to the next feature.
For the feet and stem I wanted to use brown clay but the closest I had was dark gray. Remembering that I could paint the clay after it was baked, I went ahead and used the dark gray. Shaping out two little legs and feet, I added them to the base of the pumpkin then molded the stem for the top. Green clay was shaped for the leaves as well as rolled out snake-style for the vines. Lastly was just to add that sweet little happy face.
Into the “sauna” you go, little guy!
Fifteen minutes later he was done! After a good amount of cooling time, I decided to go in with the paint.
I wanted the facial features to be darker, so very carefully painted them black. Using dark brown paint and a steady hand, I covered the feet and stem. Lastly, I felt he needed a gleam in the eye. Using the back end of the paintbrush, I cautiously dabbed on two dots of white, trying my best to not give him crazy eyes!
And with that, my polymer clay project was complete. Little pumpkin now sits on my window sill, just as I’d envisioned, bringing a little more sweetness to the changing season.
This was fun but, as previously shared, I totally noticed my inexperience. I’d love to create some more little characters one day as well as learn some proper sculpting techniques. I’m sure my kids would love to join the fun as well!
Thanks for reading about my Creativity Challenge this week!
So cute! It turned out really well <3