This wonderful little kitty ornament can be made in any colors you choose but for this very project I'm using:
Premo! polymer clay in:
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1/2 ounce each Ecru and White for the body
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Small amount Burnt Umber for the cheeks
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1/2 ounce Cadmium Red
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Small amount Pearl Green
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Translucent Liquid Sculpey for strength
Also:
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2 small seed beads in your choice of eye color
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A few inches of wire or nylon thread, even hairbrush bristles work an eye pin Tools needed:
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Super Slicer Blade
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Roller or brayer
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Toothpicks (quite a few)
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Smoothing tool (a knitting needle works well)
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A piece of textured material
Now let's begin!
1. Marble your ecru and white clays together. Reserve about 1/3rd of the mixture.
2. Roll your large ball of marbled mixture into a peanut shape and pinch two ears from the top. Use a smooth knitting needle or pen to define the head. Use a toothpick to press in ear indentations.
3. Roll two tiny balls of brown clay and apply to middle of "face" for cheeks. Using a toothpick, press in two small seed beads for eyes. Roll one REALLY small ball of black clay for a nose, apply between the cheeks.
Your kitten's face is finished for now, on to the body!
4. Roll out a log with the remaining marbled clay...you'll need 4 pieces rolled into little logs for limbs and one for the tail. I like to spiral the colors in my tail but this is up to you. I've cut up some toothpicks and I'm using these to add support to the join. I also dab on some Translucent Liquid Sculpey at this point for strength.
5. Onto the gift! Of course you can put anything in his paws but this is nice and simple! Form a small ball of red clay into a cube with your fingers (make sure this fits well with the cat) I've sliced the back of it off so it's more of half a cube, this lays nicer and will be hidden. Roll out your Pearl Green and slice off thin slivers for the ribbon.
6. Now wrap your gift, remember the part against the cat won’t be seen so use this to hide your seams. When you get to the top of the gift, twist gently. The ribbon will loop. Use your toothpick to press these little loops down, a bow!
7. Next we're going to form a cone for the hat! Make sure it's not too big! Though this can always be adjusted after, it's easier if you're careful! Roll out a sheet of white clay and gently press it with your texture. Now slice off about a 1/4 inch strip and wrap this around the base of the cone.
8. Now this may seem strange, but to make the hat sit JUST perfectly we're going to slice off part of the cat's head! So slice off that less perfect ear!
9. Using another piece of toothpick and more liquid clay I lay the hat on and make any adjustments. Finish it off with a little ball of white. Use a knitting needle or chopstick to make an indentation and add a little bit of liquid clay. Now pop it on the tip of the hat and press it on using your texture.
10. Roll out your remaining marbled clay and cut off the tip at an angle. Again I use a piece of toothpick stuck in the end and a little liquid clay to attach it to the body. We don't want a tail coming loose! Now smooth all your joints with your tool.
11. Lastly, Snip 4, 1/2 inch lengths of your thread (bristle, whatever). Dip the very tip of each length in some Translucent Liquid Sculpey and push into cheeks. Snip your eye pin to desired length. Bend a little and insert somewhere in your cat for hanging. When cured remove this and use a touch of glue to make it strong!
12. Cure (bake) your piece according to the manufacturer's recommendations. I've added a silver bail and some ribbon for hanging. Enjoy!
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