Sculpey Premo™ Happy Garden Snail

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.

Condition 1/4 of a bar of Fuchsia and make a stubby log forming a pointed tail at one end.

Round the other end and then make two pinches to form two antennae. Shape these and round out the head. Bend the head to curve upwards. Press in the middle of the snail’s body to flatten it a bit.

If you are making your snail into a plant poke then take your wooden dowel and poke a hole in the bottom of your snail. Add two black bead eyes. The teardrop beads make great eyes because they are round on one end and pointed at the other, just push the pointed end right into the clay. If you don’t have these then simply make two little balls of black clay and press them on. Using your craft knife make a nice little curvy smile on your snails face. Set aside the body.

Condition a 1/4 brick of Pearl clay. Roll it into a log that is approximately 2 ½ to 3” long. It should be about a ½” thick. Set this aside.

Roll 2 very thin snakes of each of the remaining colors; the same length as the Pearl log. (2-Fuchsia, 2-Magenta Pearl, 2-Purple)

Press the thinner snakes to your large Pearl log alternating colors and leaving Pearl clay to show in between. Roll the log so the colors become one with the Pearl clay.

Roll a long snake that is approx. 1/4” thick and 12” long.

Gently twist the snake so the colors start to swirl.

Roll one end so that it is a tiny bit thinner in diameter and then start to coil the snake into a shell. You may have to twirl the snake as you coil to keep your swirls looking uniform. As you coil make the shell gradually get larger and larger forming a cone shape. Make about 6 or 7 coils and then cut the excess off and tuck end piece in. Shape shell if need be to make it uniform looking.

Now you are ready to press the shell onto the snail’s body. I place the end that has the tucked piece behind the snails head.

Bake as directed above. Once he is cooled you can push the wooden dowel into the hole. Might need a little glue to secure but sometimes the fit it snug enough that you don’t need it. Your cute little snail is ready to be displayed in an indoor plant or in your garden.

Colors used for other snails: Green Snail: Premo Pearl, Green, Cadmium Yellow, Bright Green Pearl Red Snail: Premo Pomegranite, Pearl, Orange, Cadmium Yellow