Clay Miniature Garden Scene

Materials:

FIMO Soft polymer clay: chocolate, pastel lemon, white, translucent, plum, granite, jasper, China jade
cardboard (such as from a cereal box)
aluminum foil
round toothpicks
clay roller
needle tool
sharp knife
pencil
oven
baking pan or ceramic tile
small rough rock
scissors
ruler
round-nose pliers
small round-end paintbrush handle

1. To make the bench and table: Cut a 8-1/2" x 1-3/4" cardboard rectangle and a 2-inch-diameter circle.

2. Draw a line 2 inches from each end of the rectangle to mark where the legs bend. Fold cardboard on that line and then flatten again.

3. Roll chocolate, pastel lemon and half a package of translucent FIMO Soft into skinny ropes. Cut into 4-inch segments and stack randomly together (figure A).

4. Roll all into a long rope; cut and stack again. Repeat until the clay resembles the pattern of wood (figure B). Flatten with roller to 1/8 inch thick.

5. Lay cardboard on clay sheet, cutting clay 1/8 inch larger than cardboard. Cut two of each shape. Cover cardboard. (Save scraps for mailbox.) Draw in wood grain with a needle tool.

6. Cover eight round toothpicks with wood-grain clay. Use four as table legs and the other four as supports for the bench legs. Press the table legs into the bottom of the clay table (figure C). Wedge the bench supports from the bottom corners of each leg to the bottom of the bench (figure D).

7. Place table and bench on baking sheet. Support both with cones made from aluminum foil or cardboard.

8. To make rocks and path: Randomly mix granite, jasper, white and translucent FIMO Soft until it is slightly marbled (figure E). Flatten clay to 1/8 inch thick. Now repeat a pattern of flattening, folding and flattening again until the clay surface resembles the layers of a rock. The key to this is to always fold and flatten in the same direction.

9. Crumple and roll foil into smooth rock shapes. Cover foil with stone-looking clay (figure F).

10. Press real stone against surface of clay to create the texture of a stone. For variations, add China jade clay to the mix, or add some of the leftover clay from the bench and table project.

11. Make small pebbles and cobblestones from leftover clay. If they are less than 1 inch thick, they do not need foil in the center.

12. To make the teapot and teacup (figure G): Roll balls of plum FIMO Soft slightly smaller than the desired size of the teapot and teacups. Use a round-end paintbrush handle or similar shape to hollow balls. Hint: Rolling balls against your hand while they are still on the end of the handle will help keep them round (figure H).

13. Roll skinny ropes and press in place for handles, using toothpicks and the paintbrush for positioning (figure I).

14. Roll a slightly thicker rope for spout (figure J). Press a toothpick into one end to make opening. Press in place with toothpick still inserted into opening to help position it.

15. Flatten a small ball for the teapot cover (also figure J). Press in place. Add ball of clay for knob.

16. Place all pieces on a baking sheet or ceramic tile. Bake all pieces according to directions on package. Once pieces are cool, remove foil supports.