18 inch Doll: Polymer Clay Turkey or Chicken

TURKEY or CHICKEN

I suggest Garden of Imagination on Youtube for actual videos of someone making the clay food....it helped me immensely! see Garden of Imagination video for specific techniques: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4F10DV_AZc YOU WILL NEED: -3 (2 ounce) packages of beige (or white) polymer clay (turkey) -assorted clay for your "veggies" (orange, green, brown, yellow, cranberry) -1 (2 ounce) package of gray, white or silver clay (for platter), or a dish -Translucent Liquid Sculpey **** -Triple Thick (clear glaze) **** and a dedicated paint brush to apply -Pastel Chalks (for creating "color" on your turkey) -dry paint brush (for shading with chalk) -toothpicks, tinfoil, oven ****These items can be found at many craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, Joann's, and Michael's. I purchase my TLS in 8 ounce bottles from Joann's online (it's cheaper that way!), and the Triple Thick is located in the GLUE section at the craft store. Be sure to use a coupon when you purchase! *****To make it American Girl size (1/3 scale) instead of dollhouse scale (1/12), you will need a ball of beige clay ABOUT the size of a tennis ball (roughly 3" diameter, or 3 - 2 ounce packages of clay). If you want your turkey LARGER, add more clay. If you want your turkey smaller, omit some of the 3 blocks you used (this would make a "chicken"). DIRECTIONS: 1.  Use about 2 1/2 of the 3 blocks of beige to make a ball, reserving the other 1/2 block for the legs and wings. 2.  Shape the ball into the turkey's body (as shown in the video link above). 3.  Add separate legs and wings (as shown in video). 4.  "Brown" the turkey with pastel chalks: I rolled a small ball of tin foil all over the turkey between colors to give it texture. I used an ecru, a reddish brown, and then a dark brown chalk for color:

I also cut out a portion of the turkey on the side, and then shaded that area. Now it looks like the turkey has been "carved"!

5. Prepare a "platter" for the turkey to sit on (she has a video for this, too). I used a small baking dish from World Market. If you want your turkey to be removable from the baking dish, line the dish with tin foil BEFORE you place your turkey inside and then add your "sliced vegetables" with TLS (see video). By using the tin foil, you insure that your finished turkey with stuffing will fit inside your dish (once it is finished), but will be fully removable from that dish in case you want to place it on a "carving board" or "platter".

6.  Bake according to manufacturer directions on the clay package.

7.  When your turkey is COMPLETELY cool (think...a couple hours), you may remove the turkey from the foil and dish (throw away the foil), and then "glaze" the turkey with Triple Thick (love this stuff!) to not only give it a "wet" look but to protect it as well!

Don't forget a bit of extra Triple Thick on the top of the turkey, and then sprinkle on some dried oregano or basil (for "spices"). You may need to re-glaze with Triple Thick again just to make sure the spices are sealed.

8.  Allow the Triple Thick to dry at least 12 hours before "play".  PLEASE REMIND YOUR CHILDREN THAT THIS "FOOD" IS FOR PLAY PURPOSES ONLY, AND SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED INTO THEIR MOUTHS!

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.