Bake Shop by Sculpey Stick Animals

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven-Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Clay Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 30 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME.

For the raccoon, I used a very small pine cone. Bake the pine cone before making the critter in your oven at 275 for 15 minutes. This will help dry out the sap and the pine cone may even open up a little more as it dries out. Mix 1/4 bar of White and 1/4 bar of Tan to make light brown. Make a little cone shaped piece and push it over the top of the pine cone for a neck. Shape the tail from light brown also. Pinch some pieces of Brown very flat to create stripes for the tail.

Wrap the stripes around the tail and roll it to smooth it. Push the tail onto the back and bottom of the pine cone. Then carefully remove the tail, add some white craft glue where the tail has touched the body and glue the tail back on. The white craft glue can be baked with the clay and the pine cone and will help make sure the tail stays on. Shape two little feet from Brown. Glue these to the front bottom of the pine cone.

From light brown make a football shaped head, and two teardrop shaped arms. On the head place some flat White teardrop shaped spots. On the ends of the arms, place some flat Brown circle spots for the paws

Make two White triangles for the ears. Make two very flat tiny triangles from Brown for the inside of the ears.

Decorate the face with all the elements. Add a tiny oval Black nose. Poke in two eyes with the toothpick. Glue the arms into place between the layers of the pine cone. Allow all the glued parts to dry before baking. Bake following the baking instructions and allow to cool completely before handling

For the deer, mix 1/2 bar White with 1/2 bar Brown to make light brown. Make two flat leaf shapes for the ears and with the remainder, make a thick log that is tapered on both ends.

Bend the thick log in half so that one tapered end becomes the neck and the other end becomes the nose. Push the paper clip into the back of the head for a hanger

Fold one of the ears around a long tapered tool or toothpick to give it shape.

Press the sticks into the top of the head and make sure the clay snugs around them to hold them in place. Use the tool or the toothpick to insert the ears close to the antlers which will also help hold the sticks in place.

Add a flat White patch to the neck. Add a small triangular Black nose. Add two black balls for eyes. Bake following the baking instructions and allow to cool completely before handling.