How to Create a Polymer Clay Mask

For this project, you will need polymer clay in a flesh tone. If you intend the mask to have eyes, you will also need white, black and another color for the eyes. The finished piece may also be painted, so it can be created from a single color of clay, also. You will also need a variety of tools, such as a metal spoon in the size you wish your mask to be, a clay cutting tool, an awl, a roller and a mat.

Start by rolling a large gumball-sized piece of the flesh color clay in your hand until it is smooth. If it gets warm enough to stick to your hand, let it cool for a couple of minutes before continuing. Roll it out flat and place it over the back of the spoon bowl (handle should be pointing away from you). Shape it around the spoon and trim the edges away.

Roll another small piece of the flesh color clay into a rope about 1/8 inch in diameter. This will be used to create the nose, mouth, and possibly the eyelids, if you plan to use eyes instead of holes. Cut a segment that is about ¼ inch long. Place it length wise in the center of the mask. At the bottom, on either side, cut and place a section of the rope that is about 1/16 inch long. Smooth the pieces into the shape of a nose with the clay tools, using the awl to make the nostrils more pronounced, if desired.

About halfway between the bottom of the nose and the chin, gently mark a line for the mouth. On the mat, cut a ¼ inch piece of the rope and use the awl to shape it into a top lip by making a small dent in the top at the middle of the piece. Place it just above the line you marked. Take another piece and compress it slightly to make it thicker, then roll the ends out thinner than the middle and place below the other lip. Gently blend the edges of both pieces into the face.

Approximately one third of the way down from the top, cut two almond shaped holes for eyes. Alternatively, you may roll 2 tiny balls of white and press them in gently at the same area, then add a circle of eye color with a black dot in the center (or paint them later). Take part of the very thin rope of clay created in the previous step and cut 4-6 segments that are about twice as long as the eyes are wide. Use these to create lids over the top and bottom of the white balls. Smooth the edges flat.

With a straight pin or the awl, poke holes on the top or sides of face, wherever you intend to string it from. Bake the clay, spoon and all, on a baking sheet or doubled piece of foil according to the package directions for the clay.