How To Make Clay Bugs for the Backyard
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Step 1: Make the Snail Shell
Knead the clay until it's soft. To make the snail shell, roll a piece of brown clay into a long log shape with one tapered end. Do the same thing with a piece of orange clay. Hold the two pieces together and roll them into a coil/cinnamon bun shape, starting with the skinnier ends.
Step 2: Make the Snail Body
To make the body, roll a piece of bright green clay into the same tapered log shape, only slightly shorter. The thicker end of the shape will be the head; gently smash the shell onto the top of the body and bend the head end of the body upward (Image 1). Stick several tiny dots of dark green clay all over the snail’s body to create warts (Image 2).
Step 3: Make the Snail Eyes and Lips
Shape a piece of dark green clay into a pea-sized ball. Next, make a flat disc shape out of white clay and press onto the green ball. Place a small blue circle of clay in the middle of the white area to create an eye for the snail. Repeat this process for the other eye (Image 1). Cut two small straight pieces of wire, each approximately 1" long. Stick these into the top of the snail’s head, leaving a little more than half sticking out (Image 2). Skewer the eyes onto the wire. Roll out two small pieces of red clay into log shapes with tapered ends. Put them together to make lips; place on the snail’s head (Image 3).
Step 4: Bake the Clay
Bake the snail on a parchment-lined baking sheet according to the instructions on the package of clay. Let cool before handling. Other types of creatures can be made using similar techniques.
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Resources
- Terrific Teepees pattern (#SB-20) from SewBaby
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