Mini Clay Garden Figurines Part I

Today's post very much falls under the category of "other crafty things." I've never touched clay a day in my life until this project. I have been increasingly enjoying working with fondant on my cakes and was curious to see how this measured up. Clay is AWESOME! Sorry to my Pinterest followers, I've been bombarding them with clay pins! My first application with clay are these mini clay garden figurines. For Christmas I'm giving a slew of people succulent gardens, and I wanted to make them personalized, so I ventured into clay. It is simple enough that I can show you how I did it! I'm a novice, so by all means, take my advice with a grain of salt!

Tools and Supplies  
Sculpey Polymer Clay
Polyform Sculpey Glaze
Acrylic Paints
Greening Pins
Paint Brushes
Oven or Toaster Oven
Fine Sand Paper
Pottery Tools & I also used Duff Fondant Tools, similar to Wilton's (optional but highly recommended)
Smooth Foam (optional)
Paint Tray (optional)
Wire (optional)
Wire Cutters (optional)
Needle-nose pliers (optional)

I was surprised how EASY it was (for me) to work with clay compared to gum paste and fondant. Clay is so forgiving, and I love that you can sand it to get a better finish. So here's how it went... sculpt, bake, sand, paint, glaze, admire. It really is simple, and the baking instructions are on the clay box, whichever brand you choose. Here is how it turned out and a few tips...

To fit the Greening Pins in some of my smaller clay figurines, I had to use a needle-nose pliers to bend the top. The jag at the top of the greening pins are great for keeping the wire in the clay.

For the circles on these adorable mushrooms and ladybug (see below), I disassembled a pen and pressed it into the clay. It created a great little detail and the ring around it made it very easy to paint.

 I accordion folded a piece paper to keep my figurines from rolling around or possibly getting a flat edge during baking.

This pug picture is before the glaze. That's my Pugalier (Pug/Cavalier Spaniel Mix), Jack.

To get the realistic look of an apple, take your red acrylic paint and split it into three. To one pile add white and to another add a bit of brown. By alternating these three colors, give your apple some highlights and shadows as well as mimic the look of a real apple. Use the brush strokes to your advantage.

See them glazed and in action...well in planters, Mini Clay Garden Figurines Part II.