Star Students!
Design by Sarajane Helm

The picture is baked right along with the star! This project can be done with polaroids as well as most school and other commercial photos. After baking, they can be used as decorations by adding a decorative string or ribbon loop, or use pushpins to put them up on the bulletin board. They can be used as holiday decorations, or as medals to be worn on a ribbon around the neck award style! You can also vary the shape by using a different cookie cutter. For large group efforts, it is also more economical to purchase clay in larger amounts, such as the one pound bricks shown here.

Materials:

• Premo clay in two colors
• small photos
• pasta roller or rolling pin
• cookie cutter
• scissors
• gluestick
• skewers or toothpicks
• fine glitter
• knife
• baking tray, paper
• oven

ALWAYS USE ACCORDING TO PACKAGE DIRECTIONS.

Instructions:

Prepare the clay by kneading and rolling it until it is softened and warmed somewhat. Premo is easier than other clays to condition--just slice it off of the brick and roll it up, flatten, and repeat. Do this several times. Colors can be used straight from the package (there is a wide variety available) or mixed. I like to mix with Pearl White as a base for colors with lots of shimmer. In this example, we've used a pearly blue mix and metallic gold.

These clays have a depth and shine that just doesn't show well in scans---but sizzles in person. Roll out a sheet of clay, using a pasta roller or an acrylic rod. A number two (#2) setting on the Atlas pasta roller yields sheets about 1/8th of an inch thick, and this is very durable even in the hands of younger children.

The cutter is used to press into the clay and cut out the shapes. Use the flat end of the skewer or the toothpick to poke a hole about 1/4 inch from the top point of the star shape.

GROUP TIP: This can be done ahead of time for large groups, so that the individual stars can be handed out for decoration. Pass them out along with a skewer/toothpick and a walnut sized chunk of the other clay. Young children should always be supervised, especially with pointed sticks!!

Each student's picture can then be cut out, leaving a little area around the head. Clay will be used to cover this border later. Carefully use the gluestick lightly on the back of the picture and affix it to the center of the star.

Gently smooth the picture into place. Roll out a snake of the other color of clay, making it long enough to go all around the edges of the cut photo. Press it lightly to seal it to the clay of the star.

You can press the teeth of the comb into this frame, if you want more texture. Hold it so the comb is flat, and move it all around the circle in steps. Press lightly or you will mark the star too!

Roll out small amounts of the other color of clay into small snakes and balls. Use these to add flourishes and squiggles as desired--they can be rolled up, twisted, and poked...you can use the use the pointy end of the stick to poke decorative holes, or vary the patterns by using the flat of the tip, or the other end of the skewer, which makes little circular indentations.

After the pieces are completely decorated, place them all on the paper lined baking sheet, and apply glitter. Both gold and opal microfine glitter are shown here, and look even more sparkly when seen live in your classroom! Have an adult do the glitter shaking in order to confine the mess, and use a wet paper towel to clean up any spills.

Baking Instructions:

Do not stack stars--use multiple trays if you have more than will fit in the pan. Bake according to directions. Allow to cool completely before handling.

Special thanks to Shylla and Andy!