Gifts of Clay

To make clay, mix together 4 cups unsifted flour, 1 cup salt, 1 1/2 cups cold water, then knead. When making clay gifts, enlarge all holes to allow for shrinkage. Bake for 1 hour at 325º. Allow to cool before painting. Paint with poster paint, dry, then add coat of varnish or use acrylic paint to make shiny.

Candleholder

1. Roll out clay about 1″ thick.

2. Cut desired shape with table knife or large cookie cutter.

3. Press candle into soft clay and move it around to enlarge hole. Bake candleholder, cool, then paint.

Porcupine Pencil Holder

1. Make porcupine body of clay similar in shape to one illustrated.

2. Poke eraser end of pencil into soft clay to make holes as shown. Move pencil around to enlarge hole. When porcupine is baked, cool, then paint.

Turtle

1. Make round turtle shape from clay for body.

2. Shape balls of clay for head and feet.

3. Wet balls slightly and attach to turtle.

4. Bake, let cool, then paint.

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney