Clay Frog Pond

This project is simple, but will take two days to complete, due to drying times. All the required materials and tools should be available in your local craft/hobby store, including moss.

Materials Plaster of Paris
E-Z water, resin or other water medium
Model paints
Polymer clay (green, black, white, red, pink, brown) -OR- Miniature ceramic frogs
Moss and other small dried foliage

Tools Glue
Aluminum foil
Paint brushes
Mixing spoon/cup
Carving tools
Clay tools
Tweezers
Any listed on water medium package

Base Tear off about two feet of foil. Make a one inch fold on each edge, then fold each edge again and stand the edges up at a 90 degree angle to the flat area to form a shallow dish. Bend the corners to create a rounded, amoeba-like shape. Mix the plaster according to the package directions, enough at least to half-fill the foil dish you created. Allow to thicken slightly before pouring into the dish, to reduce the risk of running out the edges.

Wildlife While the plaster dries, sculpt frogs and lily pads. Use photos for reference. To make the pads, roll the green out to 1/8 inch thickness, then cut into basic heart shapes. Add lines to give a veined leaf appearance. To create lilies, roll 1/8 inch thickness of pink marbled with white and cut into small triangles. Curl the bottom corners toward each other to make petals and assemble on lily pads. To make frogs, start with a green and/or brown wedge, about ½ inch thick. Add ¼ inch ropes to the small end and bend them to look like long legs. Flatten the feet. Use ball tool to create eye sockets. Use yellow balls with a black sliver in the center for eyes. Use a 1/8 inch rope for a tongue, if desired. Flat triangles with 3 toe-like protrusions stuck under the mouth will make front legs. Bake finished pieces on foil, per label instructions. Paint, if desired.

Pond When the plaster is dry, carve out the center of the shape about ¼ inch deep, leaving an uneven ½ - 1 inch border around the edges. Smooth the carved section with a damp cloth. Paint with mottled blue, green and black. Fill with water medium of your choice. Paint the remaining border with varying shades of green, yellow and brown. Glue foliage to border area.

Finishing Glue animals and lily pads in place or leave loose on top.