Project Idea: Clay Snowmen

I am a humongous fan of Crayola's Model Magic Clay, and use it almost every month in my programming. It's easy to use, clean, and unlike polymer clay, you don't have to bake it. Extra bonus? It's super affordable too. With so many colors available, teens can make virtually anything from Model Magic Clay, such as little characters, beads, charms, game pieces, magnets, gift boxes, pencil toppers, and my favorite, hand made ornaments. Last winter my teens and I made little snowmen, that were inspired by the amazing clay model artist, Ibenia Carbajal. Ibenia's clay sculptures are the perfect combination of sweet and impishness, and inspired my teens to make their own little snowguys.

To make your own polymer clay snowman/ snowwoman you will need:
Crayola Model Magic clay in white, and color multipack
Small black glass seed beads
Small black glass beads
A large glass marble (to help shape the little hats)

To make a little snowman:
1. Break white clay into small chunks and soften with your hands by rolling.
2. Roll two pieces of white clay into two small balls, one being smaller for the head.
3. Stack the white balls on top of each other.
4. Pick a color for the snowman's hat and soften the clay in your hands.
5. Wrap the ball of colored clay around the marble to create a domed hat shape. Add a border around the hat and a little ball on top if you like.
6. Create accessories for your snowman, scarves, pipe, stick hands if you like. Attach these to your snowman
7. Make a little carrot nose out of orange polymer clay and put aside for now.
8. Take larger black glass beads (or small bits of black clay) and insert into the smaller white ball to make eyes.
9. Take the smaller black glass seed beads (or small bits of black clay) and make a smile on his face and buttons along his chest if you like.
10. Add the little orange nose.
10 1/2. You can add a metal wire loop on top of his hat if you want to hang him.

11. Name him and show 'em off. So cute!

Here are some great resources for clay ideas:
Artist Ibenia Carbajal's website with tutorials
Etsy listing of the little snowman that inspired us
Clay snowmen on flickr

Other snowman crafts:
Lego snowman
Snowman milkshakes
Martha Stewart's snowman cupcakes