Polymer Clay How to: Neighbourly Love

HOWDY Neighbourino!

Ever wanted to join neighbourhood watch? Look no further than your new polymer clay necklace or brooch or mini artwork. No matter what you decide to use this mini neighbourhood for, it is super cute, plus the colours match my new neon orange belt, win! There are however some downsides to this kooky clay creation, you can not smell those neighbourhood curry cook-ups and seriously you will not be able to fit into your house for a nap. I thought I would give a shout out to Mont Marte Joe who's lesson on How to Draw Houses was the inspiration.

• Mont Marte Light Blue Polymer Clay  
• Mont Marte Light Green Polymer Clay
• Mont Marte Purple Polymer Clay
• Mont Marte White Polymer Clay
• Mont Marte Red Polymer Clay
• Mont Marte Black Polymer Clay
• Mont Marte Orange Polymer Clay 
• Mont Marte Mini Modelling tools 
• String, leather tie or brooch back (depending on your purpose).
• Rolling Pin
• Baking Sheet
• Knife or Scissors.

 Some tips to abide by when working with Polymer Clay;

• Separate your kitchen tools from your Polymer clay tools i.e. do not put that rolling pin back in the kitchen after rolling out Polymer clay. Dedicate your tool to your craft.
• Clean your oven after baking, polymer is not edible. It tastes no good!
• A pasta machine is the perfect tool for rolling. Mixing clay colours by hand can be tiresome and you might need sleepy-time afterwards. 
• Keep wet wipes close by. Dirt is attracted to your sculpture so to stop their love affair keep your hands clean.

1. Roll out the colours you want and cut them in square, prism and triangular shapes for the house body, roofs, windows and doors. I have picked colours that already exist in the polymer clay range to avoid any mixing today! TIP: If you were wanting a different hue i.e. pink you would mix small amount of red with white using either a pasta roller, hand roller or your hands to heat up the clay and mix thoroughly.

 2. Start to assemble the house together., mix-matching the roof colours to the body and adding yellow squares as windows to achieve a 'shining light' look.

 5. Include those intricate details such as door knobs by rolling the smallest amount of colour into a ball.

 Roll out strips of black and crisscross over the windows to create the framing.

Also add in the power lines and a white picketed fence using this approach.

6. Using all the left over scraps I have created a foundation for the neighbourhood houses.

7. Place all the houses on the foundation starting from the top, this way the front houses overlap the squares preceding it, creating also a great 3D effect. Add a small hole in the foundation for the necklace band to go through and bake at 120 C for 10 mins.

I just took this baby for a stroll around my block to show off to the local neighbourhood, and no joke, 4 dogs barked at me out of delight (because I smell good).

If you have any questions please ask below! Happy Creating.