Polymer Clay Veggie Patch Pens & Holder

Materials:

Fimo Soft polymer clay: caramel (2), Indian red, orange, emerald green, white, black
24-gauge silver and green FunWire
ballpoint pen
miniature picket fence
toothpick
blush
pasta machine or acrylic brayer

To make the carrot:

1. Flatten orange clay to 1/4 inch.

2. Cut a rectangle the length of the pen by 1-1/4 inches wide. Remove ink cartridge from pen with pliers and wrap clay around pen.

3. Flatten remainder of orange clay to 1/8 inch (figure A) and wrap only the half of the pen from the top to the middle (figure B).

4. Roll clay back and forth on a flat surface to smooth seams. The extra clay on top will shape the carrot (figure C).

5. Roll five 11/16-inch green balls and shape into teardrops. Press these to the top of the pen (figure D).

6. Roll two 5/16-inch white balls for eyes and press onto front of pen. Flatten two 3/16-inch black balls and press over white for pupils. Roll a 5/16-inch orange ball and add under eyes for nose. Roll an orange snake 1/8" x 1" and press onto face for smile. Add two small flattened balls to cover the edges of the smile.

1. Wrap a pen in green clay as you did the carrot.

2. Roll four 1/4-inch logs the length of the pen and press onto pen sides. Smooth seams with fingers and roll back and forth to slightly press clay onto pen. The stalk of broccoli should be slightly lumpy. Note: Another option is to use 1/4-inch strips of clay (figure E) pressed onto the length of the pen. Then cover the pen with a thin sheet of green clay (figure F) and smooth it out (figure G).

3. Roll four logs 1/4" x 1-1/2" and push a toothpick through the center, leaving the toothpick extended out one side by 1/4 inch. Press the toothpick side of the logs into the top of broccoli stalk (figure H).

4. Roll several 3/8-inch green balls, varying the size slightly. Press these all over tops of broccoli (figure I).

5. Roll two 5/16-inch white balls and press onto front of pen for eyes. Flatten two 3/16-inch black balls and press over white eyes for pupils. Roll a 5/16-inch green ball and add under eyes for nose. Roll a green snake 1/8" x 1" and press onto face for smile, adding two small, flattened balls to cover the edges of the smile (figure J).

Bake both pens according to manufacturer's instructions, for approximately 30 minutes. Let cool.

1. Roll approximately 10 to 12 balls of caramel clay in several sizes from 1 to 2 inches.

2. Press together and smooth seams with a toothpick. This will form the bumpy soil base (figure K). Make the center of the base thicker for the pens to press into.

3. Optional: Cover the balls of clay with a thin sheet of caramel clay (figure L).

4. Cut the fence to the proper length and press into back of base (figure M).

5. To make the tomatoes: Roll three red balls from 1 to 1-1/2 inches.

6. Roll a green log 1/4" x 12" and cut it into several 1/2-inch sections.

7. Roll sections into a ball; then shape into a teardrop. Arrange the five teardrops on top of the red balls for leaves and slightly press to secure. Draw in vein marks with toothpick. Poke hole in center with toothpick.

8. Curl green wire around a toothpick and clip into 1-inch sections. Press wire curls into center of tomatoes (figure N).

9. Roll the remaining green logs into tapered logs and stand them up like grass on the base.

10. Curl silver wire and add to base for note holder.