Making Halloween Vampire Fangs with Sculpy

This Halloween, make your own Vampire Fangs or Werewolf Canines with Sculpy, the polymer clay that bakes hard in your kitchen oven.

Sculpy can be found at most craft and hobby-shops as well as major chain stores such as Wal-Mart. It is available in colors as well as the basic white. The fangs pictured here are made with the white Sculpy. The modeling of the Sculpy was done entirely by hand, and the wire framework support was bent into shape using a needle-nose pliers. It is a good idea to have some reference photos handy, like picture of a roaring lion or snarling wolf to help in the modeling.

Before modeling with Sculpy, be sure to knead and work it a few minutes until it is soft and pliable. Sculpy that has set on the shelf for long periods can be hard and crumbly, but don't let that discourage you; with a little work it renews its elasticity.

Start by cutting a length of soft aluminum or copper wire about six inches long. Bend the wire on each end into a small loop. Stand in front of a mirror, and measure the distance between your "canine" teeth (the pointy ones, fourth in line from the middle) and mark their placement with a bend in the wire. Then form a projecting half-loop that will be the support for the fang at each marked spot. (refer to accompanying picture # 2). The fang support should be about 1 inch long.

Curve the wire in a semi-circle to fit around your upper gums. This may take a little trial and error but is simple enough. Alternatively, you can make a template by biting down on a piece of paper and aligning the wire to the markings left by your teeth. You will find that your front teeth back to the canines form an arc that is nearly a half-circle, and then the teeth align in a fairly straight row back at an angle from the arc. If you have difficulty getting a good bite registry, try a piece of aluminum foil over a folded, soft paper towel or napkin.

Depending on the size of your palette, you may want to shorten the length of the wire and re-bend the end loops. The completed wire frame should fit comfortably above your teeth along the front of the upper gums.

To model the Sculpy, first roll and flatten a strip about a quarter-inch thick and three-eighths wide, the same length as the wire-frame. Press it around the wire and smooth it around to form a support. Roll two elongated cones to form the fangs and then press them over the wire fang supports. Animal fangs curve slightly inward toward the center and slightly backward as well. (refer to picture #3). Press and smooth the joining pieces together to form an adhering, seamless bond.

When you are satisfied with the general shape, smooth the surface with your fingers. Sculpy that has been hardened by baking can also be sanded smooth. The fangs pictured here required no further finishing after sanding.

Place the Sculpy pieces on a flat, oven-safe pan or tray. I used the back side of a metal pizza pan. Pre-heat your oven to 275 degrees and bake for about 15 minutes (per quarter-inch thickness of Sculpy) Over-baking will cause the Sculpy to become brittle. Make sure to have the room well ventilated, and give the Sculpy ample opportunity to cool before handling.

With a little fine sanding, the fangs are ready to go. A nice, frightful touch is a bit of fake blood made with Karo Corn Syrup mixed with red food coloring. Apply it to the fang tips just before surprising your neighbors and friends!