You'll create quite a buzz when you make this bee picture frame. This craft is the perfect way to welcome spring!
Skill level: Easy
Materials:
Sculpey III -- White, Hot Pink, Yellow, Atomic Orange, Spring Lilac, Black and Emerald
Oval wooden frame
Acrylic paint -- Light Green, White
Paintbrush
Ruler
Clay-only plastic knife
Clay-only rolling pin
Toothpick
Fine-tip black permanent marker
Super glue gel
Oven
Disposable foil or wax paper
Instructions:
Start with clean hands and work area. Good working surfaces include a glass or metal surface, disposable foil, or wax paper.
Knead each clay bar until soft and smooth. Little hands may need help, as the clay can be quite hard to start.
Paint the frame light green and let dry. Dip the handle end of a paintbrush into white paint and dot the frame; let dry. Use the marker to draw squiggly line/dot border around both edges of frame.
Roll the yellow clay into two teardrop shapes for the bees' bodies and press flat. Roll two black balls for heads and press to the rounded ends of the bodies. Roll the remaining black clay 1/8" thick and cut strips for the bees' stripes. Press them onto to the bodies and trim the excess.
Roll the white clay into four white teardrop shapes and press flat for the bees' wings. Press one wing to the front and back of each bee. Roll two small white balls for eyes and two smaller orange balls for pupils. Press the eyes to the faces. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in each eye and to make mouths.
For each flower, roll three small lilac-colored balls or four medium pink balls. Press the balls flat and push them together to make flower shapes. Roll small yellow balls and press them into the center of each flower. Use a toothpick to poke holes in each flower center and to make lines in each petal around center.
Roll one small green teardrop shape for each purple flower and three slightly larger green teardrops for each pink flower. Press the teardrops flat for leaves and use a toothpick to press a line down center of each leaf. Press the leaves onto to bottom of the flowers, between the petals.
Bake all of the pieces at 275°F for 15 minutes per 6mm (1/4") of thickness.
After baking, allow the pieces to cool. Glue the clay pieces to frame as shown.
Caution:
- DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN.
- DO NOT exceed the recommended temperature or baking time.
- Children using clay should be supervised at all times.
- An adult should do all of the baking.
Information and photos provided by Michaels Arts & Crafts. For store locations, visit www.michaels.com.
