Sculpey Soufflé™ and Sculpey III® Miniature Bunny Gnomes

Getting Started:

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Oven Safe Work Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.
Start with clean hands, unwrap and knead clay until soft and smooth, or condition by running clay though a Pasta Machine. We recommend using a designated machine for clay purposes only. When working with multiple colors, clean hands with soap and water or baby wipes (we have found that baby wipes work best) before switching colors. Shape clay, pressing pieces firmly together. Wash hands after use.

Baking:

Begin by preheating oven to 275 °F (130 °C). After you are done creating; for best results bake clay on an oven-proof surface such metal, aluminum foil, an index card or the Sculpey® Oven Safe Work Mat at 275°F (130 °C) for 15 minutes per 1/4" (6 mm) thickness according to package directions. Oven safe glass or ceramic surfaces are also acceptable for baking; however please note that the baking times may take longer as the glass or ceramic surfaces take longer to heat up. For best baking results, use an oven thermometer. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. DO NOT EXCEED THE ABOVE TEMPERATURE OR RECOMMENDED BAKING TIME. BAKING SHOULD BE DONE BY AN ADULT.

Divide the bar of Concrete Soufflé into four equal pieces. 1/4 of the bar will make one body. Start by conditioning the pieces and then shaping them into a cone shape. Taper the cone out further so it is pointed at the top

Make four cones total if you’d like to make four gnomes. Making them different heights and thicknesses will add variety to the appearance of the finished gnomes.

Condition 1/8 of a bar of Igloo Soufflé into a thick rope. Condition 1/16 bar of Raspberry into a thin rope. Press the Raspberry rope against the Igloo rope.

Cut the rope in half and stack the two sections as shown.

Roll and twist the rope to make stripes.

Fold the twist in half and then fold in half again.

Keep rolling, twisting, and folding until you have a rope that has lots and lots of stripes and the colors are partially blended.

Roll the rope thinly and cut off little pieces to make the beard. Taper the little pieces on both ends.

Position the beard tendrils along the bottom of one of the bodies. Curl up the tendrils as you wish to add character.

Position little tiny tendrils in a second row on top of the larger tendrils. My beards are just across the front of the body, but if you want to you can make enough of them to go all the way around the back of the gnome as well.

Add a little Beige Sculpey III nose on top of the beard.

Roll a rope of Igloo to make a little hat band. Flatten the band with the little roller. If the hat band gets dirt or fingerprints on it, you can clean it off with rubbing alcohol. Fold a paper towel into a flat pad, douse lightly with alcohol and use to wipe across the surface of white clay to clean it. Wrap the hat band over the top of the nose and around to the back. Trim the seam at the back of the gnome.

Flatten two Igloo triangles for bunny ears. Place a little Beige inner ear on top of each one. Trim straight across the bottom of each ear.

Position the ears just above the hat band.

Curl the pointy hat up as desired. I added loops to each of my hats so they would create a place to insert a ribbon so they can be hung like an ornament or attached to a basket.

Starting with Step 4, repeat each of the steps to make more gnomes but substitute other colors for the Raspberry. I used Cornflower, Grape, and Shamrock to make a collection of gnomes that are similar but different in size and shape. Bake all the gnomes following the baking instructions for Soufflé. Allow to cool completely before handling.