Glow in the Dark Sculpey® Glow Snail Air Plant Holder

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 as metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Oven Safe Work Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per ¼" (6 mm) of 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.

From 1 ounce block of Regular Glow, make two little eye stalks and a thick body that is rounded on one end and tapered on the other.
Bake the eye stalks to stiffen them following the baking instructions for Glow in the Dark Sculpey®. Allow the eye stalks to cool completely before handling them.

While the eye stalks are baking you can work on your snail body and shell.
Flatten the pointed end of the snail’s body to the work surface and bend the thick end upward.

Roll 1 ounce of Blue Glow into a long taper 9” in length.
Coil it up as shown to form a little shell that is also a pot for the air plant.

Position the shell/pot on top of the snail’s back and make sure it attaches really well. Snug the snail neck up to the shell.

Carefully hold onto the snail neck and gently poke the eye stalks (that you previously baked) into the head area. Use your fingertips to help the clay seal around the stalks at the base. Pre-baking the stalks makes them stiff so that you can easily insert them into the head.

Make little round balls of black clay and add these to the top of the eye stalks.
Bake the little snail again following the baking instructions for Glow in the Dark Sculpey®. You can prop up the neck area with a rolled-up washcloth to make sure it stays standing in the oven.

Allow to cool completely before handling. Then add a little air plant to the shell pot.