Bonnie Willey
This project is a fast and easy project to get young children interested in working with polymer clay. Also teaches the child how to measure when cutting the strips of clay. Only takes less than a hour, not counting the bake time.
Getting Started
Preheat oven to 275 °F. Test temperature with oven thermometer for perfectly cured clay. Condition all clay by kneading until it’s soft and smooth (Condition the white first, so that your hands are clean. Clean hands with baby wipes between colors) or running it through the Clay Conditioning Machine for several passes on the widest setting. Fold the clay in half after each pass and insert the fold side into the rollers first. All baking should be done by an adult.
Step 1
Roll the Purple and Black clay to a even thickness. By placing the clay between two craft sticks and rolling the roller on top of the craft sticks.
Step 2
Cut 1” x 1 ½” strips of Black and Purple clay. Apply Translucent Liquid Sculpey to frame, this helps the clay to adhere to the frame. Lay a Purple strip on frame in the middle of the long side of frame. Add Black strip on each side, continue alternating the colors. You may have to have to move the pieces to get them to fit the frame. The last Black one will fold over the side and bottom /top of the frame. Press the pieces together and around the sides of the frame.
Step 3
Lay two Black strips across the short side of frame on bottom. Press the strips to the side pieces. Press a Purple strip in the middle of the black pieces. You can use the craft stick or the smoothing tool.
Step 4
Top of the frame has an opening that you do not want to get clay in. Cut a piece of cardboard 3 ½” x 5”, slide into the picture opening. This will leave room for the picture to slide into the frame. Repeat the same step as you did for the bottom. Trim off clay so that the open stays open. Leave cardboard in when baking.
Step 5
With clean hands divide the White into three pieces to make the ghost. Roll into ovals, flatten with the hand, twist the tops and bottom. Add tiny Black balls of clay for eyes and mouth. Press on top of the frame. See finished project for placement.
Step 6
All baking should be done by an adult. Bake at 275 °F for 15 minutes per ¼” of thickness. Let cool on baking sheet. Add your favorite Halloween picture.
EZ Shape Modeling Tools
5x7 Picture Frame Rectangle (paper mache)
Baby wipes
6 inch ruler
2 craft sticks
Paint brush
Baking sheet lined with baking parchment or aluminum foil

