Clay Snowman

Here is a new project I just finished with Kindergarten.

Here are some of the results.












MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- clay, we fired ours in the kiln but you can also use air dry
- small cup of water
- rolling pin
- nail and wooden skewer
- piece of fabric or canvas to work on
- glaze, if using air dry use acrylic paint
- brown pipe cleaners
- glue

PROCEDURE:

Lay down your piece of fabric., it stops the clay from sticking to your work surface.

Pull off a piece of clay about the size of an orange.

Roll your clay out, about 1/2 inch thick.

Cut a small oval base with your nail.

Dip your finger in the water and smooth the edge.

Roll the first snowball for the large snowman.

Scratch the base where you want the snowball to go and the bottom of the snowball.  You can flatten it first by gently tapping it on the table.

Dip your finger in water and apply to the scratches.

Make a little indentation with your thumb in the first snowball.  This will give a place for the next snowball to sit.

Complete the first snowman.

Add a second smaller one.

Make some carrot noses.  You can add these with "scratch, scratch, water, water".  (my clay chant I teach the kids) Or you can pinch one out of the clay in the top ball.

Use the skewer to poke in the eyes.

Add some buttons and a smile.

Poke in holes for the arms.

Add some snowballs.  I had some snowflake and star cutters so we made a few imprints in the base.  Just push lightly as you don't want to go all the way thru the base.

Let the clay dry out.  For kiln firing about 2 weeks.

When dry glaze and fire again.

With air dry let the clay dry out at least a week.  Paint with acrylic paints.  Add a sealing coat of Duraclear.  Leave bottom of base (underneath) free of paint and sealer so it can continue to dry out if needed.

Finally glue in some brown pipe cleaners for the stick arms.  Fold the ends over so they don't poke anyone.


That's it.



See you next time.

Gail