Make Clay Mushrooms
Cute little mushrooms are simple to make using modeling clay. Use them to decorate a room, give as a gift, place on a table for a party decoration, or use in the garden. Whatever size you choose to make them and whatever use you have planned for them, they are easy and fun, so it is worth getting the kids to help make them too.
Contents
Steps
Shaping the Clay
- Choose suitable clay. You can use any kind, from the type that needs glazing to Fimo, just so long as it will be durable enough for your end purposes.
- Choose a color for the cap of the mushroom. Mold it into a shape that resembles a shallow cup.
- Choose a color for the stem of the mushroom. Roll the stem of the mushroom into a medium sized cylindrical shape with rounded edges. Braid the stem, as it allows you to use two color choices, which can add to the interest.
- Note that tan is a good color choice for a stem, as it matches easily with almost any other color.
- Decorate the mushroom. It can be as simple as adding spots to the mushroom cap or more detailed. Cut little windows for the stem or have little people sit on top of the mushroom.
Baking the Mushroom Figure
If the clay needs baking, follow these steps. If it needs air-drying only, skip this section.
- Check the clay package or wrapping for heating instructions and information. This is to ensure the clay figure becomes hard. What is required for baking will vary depending on what clay you are using and how large your sculpture piece is.
- To keep the mushroom from getting squished in the baking process, bake the cap and the stem separately, side by side with some space between. Then attach them with strong glue––super glue works well.
- After putting the clay into the oven, keep an eye on it. Clay can burn if baked for too long.
- Take the mushroom out of the oven when baked enough. Let it cool before you handle it.
- Decide what to do with the mushroom(s). The clay mushroom can be used as a display item, a gift, an item for your garden or anything else you can think of!
Tips
- A good brand of baking clay is Sculpey, which you can find at almost any craft store. It comes in small, brightly colored slabs so you do not need to buy extra paint.
- To keep your mushroom from sticking to the cookie sheet, line it with tin foil or parchment paper.
- As a model, you can use a Mario mushroom, a real mushroom, or a photograph of a mushroom. Images are easily sourced online, doing a search for "mushroom" using an image search engine.
- After the clay has been baked, assembled, and cooled, you may want to dip it in a hard glaze (if the size permits).
Warnings
- Be sure to watch children around the oven. If doing this project with children, be in charge of the baking part yourself.
- Young children may try to eat clay. Supervise closely.
- Some types of clay are not designed to harden and will instead melt all over your oven. Check the label before baking!
Things You'll Need
- Baking clay or Fimo, Sculpey or similar plastic clay of different colors
- Clay tools or Popsicle sticks for shaping
- Cookie sheet
- Tin foil or parchment
