DesiredSimplicity: Clay Art Project for Valentines Day

Valentines Day love bug clay art project

Have fun creating love bugs out of clay for valentines day! Especially fun on those days when the kids just can't find anything to do!

First of all find a good clay recipe online. I like the salt clay the best. It seems to air dry fast. Here is a web address for a similar recipe that I used....

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1813,155191-252201,00.html

Once you make your clay with the help of tiny hands its time to create some love bugs. We just rolled out shapes taking care not to make them thick or they will take forever to dry. For our bugs they just had to have a fashionable mustache. To make a mustache break a toothpick in half and set aside. Roll two separate thick sections into logs. Then only roll one end of the log to form a thinner end to curl up for the mustache. Don't make it too thin or it will break after drying. When complete take the

toothpick and insert it into the thick end of the log. Make an indented resting place on your love bug for the mustache to comfortably sit. This toothpick trick is wonderful to keep eyeballs, horns or etc...in place once your item dries.

After you have created your love bugs have fun with the clay and cut out some small hearts and anything else for your bugs. Clay will take a few days to dry. Rotate your items to quicken the drying process.

After fully dried, paint with acrylic paint, taking care not to stain clothes or tables. Once dry, hot glue your mustaches if they are unstable. You can seal your love bugs once dry with a clear coat of spray if desired. The next step it to enjoy or gift your love bug away for Valentines Day!