Carlson - Clay Characters for Kids

NORTH LIGHT BOOKS
CINCINNATI, OHIO
www.artistsnetwork.com Dedication I grew up on a farm near Elsie, Michigan, where my best friend, karen, and I attended a one-room country school named Page School. For all nine of my years in that school, Karen was the only other girl in my class. We both loved recess, reading and art. We raced through our work in order to get back to the books we were reading or to our creative projects. P age School became a gallery for the students. The school was the center of community activities and was a regular meeting place for community potlucks and ice cream socials and box suppersall of which required the room to be decorated.

I remember feeling proud and excited when everyone's family came to see what we had been doing in our school. T he years went on, and both Karen and I moved away from ElsieKaren to become a nurse and I to become a teacher. But I am still that little girl who loves stories and colors and paper and scissors and the wonderful joy of creating something new. K aren, together we hold the memories of our child selves. We grew up together and helped each other become who we are. Without your intelligence, abilities, gentleness and friendship, I might have settled for being less.

You challenged me, encouraged me and believed in me. Being 5 and 6 and on up to 14 with a constant best friend is just about as good as it gets. This book is for you. A Big Thank-You to : Teachers and youth leaders everywherein and out of schoolswho make an effort to really see and listen to the thoughts and ideas of kids. I believe that all peopleyoung and old and in betweenneed to feel safe and accepted in order to be free to create with joy and abandon. Maggie Moschell, who deserves a big, shiny medal that reads The Encourager.

She made this book happen with her patience, intuitive wisdom and humor. I will make that T-shirt that says, So many ideas, so little time.Lu Christoph, who helped with the clay models and who keeps my Center for Creative Arts in Jordan, Minnesota, together so that I can keep creating. Laura Normile, age 10, who patiently and cheerfully served as my hand model. My family, without whom none of my work would have heart. Contents
Imagination Time!
Follow the Rules for Polymer Clay
Working With Polymer Clay
Making Shapes
Changing the ShapesProjects
6
Making FacesProjects
A Note to Grown-Ups

Most children find polymer clay extremely easy to use. However, an adult must closely supervise baking the clay.

Your supervision is also needed for the dragon project which benefits from the use of a sharp blade to slice the dragon's scales.

• Read with your child to be sure that he or she understands the safety precautions and helpful tips for using polymer clay.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling polymer clay. Some clays will stain your hands. It's a good idea to keep a box of disposable alcohol-free wipes handy to clean hands between colors. Waterless hand cleaners also work.
• Protect painted and varnished surfaces, plus carpeted areas, from unbaked clay.
• One of the most exciting things to do with polymer clay is mixing colors. Yov'll have less clay waste and better results if you help your child understand the principles of color mixing on .

  But don't throw out those inevitable muddy gray blobs! They make great rocks and animals.

• gives tips on warming, softening and kneading (conditioning) the clay. It usually becomes soft and malleable quite quickly, but some clays are stiffer than others. Your child may need your help with conditioning because your hands may be warmer and stronger.
• Be sure that your child has a set of tools that are just for polymer clay. Once a tool, such as a rolling pin, is used for clay, it should not be used again for food.
• Polymer clay doesn't dry out, but it's a good idea to store the colors in separate plastic bags to keep them clean. Store clay at room temperature and away from high-heat sources, such as heating ducts and direct sunlight.

• Bake clay projects on a ceramic tile, cookie sheet or aluminum pan. Insulated or doubled pans help protect the bottoms from scorching, especially if the oven has hot Spots.

  Lining the pan with white paper, baking parchment, aluminum foil or an index card helps to keep your pans clean.