Last Saturday I became overwhelmed with the sudden desire to make something tiny out of Sculpey clay. Random, I know. After a trip to Michael's craft store and Lowe's hardware, I had the materials needed for making something wee out of clay.
But what to make? This would be my first time using Sculpey. Best to set my sights low.
So I rolled up a bunch of balls. Flattened a few of them and came to the conclusion that they would become tiny Christmas tree ornaments.
The process is relatively simple, but a little time consuming. I was inspired by this tutorial I found.
http://oborochann.deviantart.com/art/Octopus-Charm-Tutorial-45828570?offset=70Crap to make the shit:Giant block of Sculpey because it was a better deal than the smaller block per ounce, but let's be honest, the regular block would have been more than enough and you are just trying to convince yourself this hobby will totally take off and land you a stellar Etsy shop then a spot on the Martha Stewart show.
Cheapass acrylic paints because you don't need the expensive brand because let's be honest, this will at most give you kickass Christmas and birthday presents and not a career, stop being delusional!
Toothpicks for making wee kawaii faces.
Mechanical pencil leftover from an RPG session. This will make the eyes.
Steel wire that you couldn't find in Lowe's until you had a temper tantrum in front of the display of said steel wire.
Wire clippers
Needlenose pliers
Coffee table, aka your totally awesome workstation
Old paper bag, aka your totally awesome workstation tarp
Tea candle, aka your totally awesome drying rack
Let's Do This!:1. Shape Sculpey clay into desired form.
2. Make a loop out of steel wire and insert into above desired form.
3. Bake item for around 20 minutes at 275 F/ 135 C
4. Remove from oven. Make certain to burn your fingers as you try to pick up the tiny charms to see if they are hot. Yes they are hot. They've been in a very hot oven for almost half an hour, idiot. Let them cool
4a. OPTIONAL: Dump them onto a wood cutting board and pretend you are a giant or a half-orc making treats for your tiny human friends.
5. Apply first wash of paint to item, let dry, repeat until desired colour is achieved. I recommend hanging them off of something. I improvised using a bit of the steel wire turned into hooks and jammed into a tea candle I had laying about.
6. OPTIONAL: Using random tiny bits from around the house, make a wee kawaii face on said item. Use the mechanical pencil dipped in a bit of paint to make the eyes and shit.
7. Apply glaze. Let glaze dry. Glaze makes it shiny and takes your item from tiny, useless and crappy to tiny, shiny, useless and crappy.
8. OPTIONAL: Take crappy photographs of said first attempt at using Sculpey and post on the internet like the attention whore you are.
Honestly, not bad for a first attempt. I need to work on the eyes. 3/4 of them look a little derp, derp, in my humble opinion.
And they are wee.
Audience:
How wee are they?
Very wee.
So, I guess those of you that celebrate Winter Capitalism Day or Christmas that I actually exchange presents with know what to expect in your stocking from me.
Lil' crappy Sculpey charms with no real use.
Happy Holidays, bitches.
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