MONSTER ORNAMENT TUTORIAL

As I've mentioned previously here, Jake and I have started a tradition of giving one another inexpensive Christmas tree ornaments each year. A few nights ago, we exchanged our Christmas 2010 ornaments, and oh my goodness, did Jake do a good job!

See!

If you've followed my blog for any time at all, you know that owls are my favorite. Jake couldn't have picked a better ornament for me! 

As far as my ornament for him, well, let's just say nothing in the stores was jumping out at me. And then I came across this blog entry on Geninne's Art Blog, and it gave me an idea. Maybe I could make Jake's ornament! My first thought was to sculpt a dinosaur (his favorite), but on second thought, that seemed a little ambitious, so I went with this cute little monster instead.

And in case you'd like to create one for your own tree, here's how I did it!

1. Get some oven-bake clay. I used some green Sculpey I'd recently bought at Michael's. 

2. Knead the clay until it's soft and malleable.

3. Shape the clay into a rectangle block (leaving a tiny bit aside for later use).

4. Further flatten the rectangle until it is pancake thin.

5. Turn the rectangle long ways and gently fold it downward on itself, a little over halfway, being careful not to break the clay at the bending point. Also, be sure there is a tunnel large enough for a string to fit through along the inside of this fold. 

6. Using the bit of clay which you previously set aside, shape two fangs. Then gently attach them, using the tips of your fingers to rub them into the folded block of clay. 

7. If you have special ceramic baking paint (I use pebeo's Porcelain 150), paint the fangs white, as well as circles for eyes. If you do not have special paint, proceed to step nine. After baking, you can then return to this step to paint your monster.

8. When the white paint has dried, choose a different, darker color (I chose navy blue) to paint in the pupils.

9. Bake according to the directions given on your package of clay.

10. Run your choice of yarn, string, etc. (I used hemp) through the tunnel along the inside top of the monster's fold. I also added a little bead which I'd made with the remaining leftovers of the clay. You can do this too if you like, or use any other type of button or bead you choose, or you may decide not to add anything at all.

Ta-dah!

Your own little Christmas tree monster!

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