Sleddin' Dalmation and Skatin' Polar Bear

Use polymer clay to create these adorable winter animals, perfect for decorating a child's room.

Materials:

• FIMO® Soft Polymer Clay — Marble (#003), Metallic White (#052), Metallic Purple (#602), Transparent Purple (#604), Silver (#81)
• Round 3" Mirror
• Black Permanent Marker
• Blush — Optional
• Seed Beads — Black
• AMACO® Needle Tool
• AMACO® PolyBlade or Craft Knife

Instructions:

Sleddin' Dalmation

1. Dalmatian: With Marble FIMO® Soft, roll four 5/8" balls and place together. Roll a 11/8" ball. Pull one side up for neck. Press over feet. Draw in leg marks with needle tool. Roll a 1" ball and shape into a rounded triangle with a slightly flat top and press in eyes. Make an indentation in snout with needle tool. Add tiny ball indentation for mouth. Roll a 1/8" ball and add to end of snout for nose. Shape two 3/8" balls into triangles and add to each side of head for ears. Roll a 1/4" ball into a point and add to back for tail.
    
2. Scarf: Flatten Transparent Purple, Metallic White, and Metallic Purple to 1/8" thick. Cut out a 2" x 2" square of each color and stack in alternating colors. Cut stack in half and place one on top of the other. Cut in half again and stack. Slice a 1/8" thick section crossways so stripes are vertical and begin applying to dalmatian’s neck. Slice additional sections and continue wrapping around neckline until scarf is desired length.
    
3. Sled: Flatten Metallic Purple clay to 1/4" and cut out a 3" x 2" rectangle. Add lines with needle tool. Bend one end slightly forward. Roll two 1/4" x 3" logs of Silver. Curl one end up. Set logs together about 1/2" apart. Place sled on top of logs. Press dog on sled. Roll a small silver rope, press into dogs mouth and attach each end to either side of the sled.
    
4. Bake in the oven at 265°F (130°C) for one hour. After cooling completely, color nose with black permanent marker.

Skatin' Polar Bear

1. Polar Bear: With White Metallic FIMO® Soft, roll a 1" ball into a tapered log. Shape four 1/2" balls into tapered logs and press onto each side of body for legs. Add four 1/8" balls to each foot for toes. Apply remaining two tapered logs to upper body for arms adding 1/8" balls for toes. Roll a 3/4" ball for head. Poke hole in bottom center for neck placement. Press a 1/4" ball to front of face for muzzle. Press in eyes and shape. Press one 1/8" ball to each side of head for ears. Shape a 1/8" ball into oval and press onto muzzle for nose.
    
2. Scarf: Follow instructions above.
    
3. Skates: Make 1/8" x 11/2" Silver log. Roll ends together and press onto bottom of foot for skates.
    
4. Ice Pond: Flatten Metallic White clay 1/8" thick and larger than 3" mirror. Press mirror into center of clay. Roll a log of Metallic White clay and wrap around edges of mirror.
    
5. Bake in the oven at 265°F (130°C) for one hour. After cooling completely, color nose with black permanent marker.