Decorative Pencil Cup Made from Polymer Clay

Materials:
Tin can
Polymer clay in a variety of colors (4 oz white, 2 oz each of black, blue and green for this design)
Rolling pin
Cutting tools
Christmas tree cookie cutters
A mat
Small plastic lids in 3 sizes (1/2 inch to 2 inches) for cutting out snowmen shapes

Instructions:
Start by rolling out a 2 ounce block of white clay into a large rectangular sheet approximately 9.25 inches x 5 inches x 1/8 inch. This is your background and should cover the entire outside of the can, except for the bottom, with about ½ inch overlap on the top to cover the sharp edge left by the can opener. Gently press this onto the can and roll it around on the mat to smooth it and seal the seam.

Roll out half the green block until it is about 1/8 inch thick and large enough for the Christmas tree cookie cutter. Cut out a tree shape and set aside.

Add a pea-sized portion of blue clay to half the remaining white clay and mix it together until it is uniform in color. Roll this to 1/8 inch thickness and use the plastic lids to cut circles for the snowman. Set these aside.

Roll some of the black clay to 1/8 inch thickness and with the cutting tools, cut out a top hat, tiny circles for eyes, and stick arms.

Roll the blue clay and cut out a "7", so that the top bar is about the same size as the smallest circle and the side bar is about twice as long as that. This will be a scarf for the snowman.

To attach each piece to the cup, use the dull side of your cutting tool to press "stitches" into the edges. This is similar to fluting a pie crust with a fork. These should be spaced about 1/16 inch apart, and perpendicular to the edge you are sealing. When the tree and basic snowman are attached, add the accessories for the snowman and cut circles and stars out of other colors to decorate the tree, if desired. Bake the can according to the clay package directions.