Hunger Games DIY: Mockingjay Pin

The Hunger Games Mocking Jay Pin

I've read all three books (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins), and I wanted to make my own Mockingjay pin like the one Madge gives to Katniss before she leaves to go to Capitol. Also, in the movie Katniss gives the Mockingjay pin to Primrose.

   

 MATERIALS:

1. Premo Gold Polymer Clay

2. Needle tool, or sewing needle

3. Ball Tool ( Purchased at Michael's)

4. Razor Blade
5. Glue
6. Liquid Clay (TLS - Translucent Liquid Sculpey)
7. Pin Back or Safety Pin (To attach the pin to)

 

Condition your clay by warming it up and rolling it in your hands or using a pasta machine.

 

Roll out a strip of your gold clay and form a circle. Connect and seal the circle with liquid clay, and smooth the seam with a needle.

 

Start by shaping the body and the head. Pull and gently shape the beak by pulling it.

 

Create the curves of the body and smooth the edges with the needle tool.

 

Taking another piece of clay outline the shape of the tail, and attach it by smoothing the seams together with the needle tool.

 

 

 

 

Place the body and wing back in the circle to see if it fits. If it doesn't trim down the body and the wing.

 

 

Make the arrow by rolling out a thin strip of clay. Cut out the arrow tip with a razor blade or Exact-O knife. Connect the parts of the arrow with liquid clay, and smooth the seams with the ball tool, or the needle.

 

 

Glue a "pin back" (or safety pin) on the back of the pin and your finished.

Wearing the finished Mockinjay Pin

 

Here is the video if you'd like to watch for extra help.

DIY: Braided Suede Hex Nut Bracelet

I was inspired by a Giles & Brothers bracelet and decided to make my own. At first it was hard to figure out how and where to place each hex nut, but it became easier after a little trial and error.

You'll need:

1. 3 strands of suede (12 inches in length)

2. 2 packs of #6-32 hex nuts (There are 8 in each pack, and you'll need 16 in total) I purchase the hex nuts from home depot, and each pack costs less than a dollar

3. 1 larger hex nut that will act as a closure

4. A piece of tape to secure the suede while you are braiding it.

 

Watch the video below to see how I made it step-by-step.

Polymer Clay Dolphin Charm

MATERIALS

1. Elephant Grey Sculpey Clay (Purchased at Hobby Lobby)

2. Turquoise Premo Clay (Purchased at Hobby Lobby)

3. Toothpick or Cocktail Stick

4. Headpin (Purchased at Hobby Lobby)

1. Mix equal parts of Sculpey Elephant Gray clay with Premo Turquoise clay. (You'll only need a small amount of both)

2. Using half of the mix, begin forming the body of the dolphin. It should look something like a small banana.

3. Once you have the basic body shape begin forming the nose, which should be slightly thinner than the body.

4. After the body, use small pieces of the remaining clay to form the Dorsal fin, flippers, and flukes.
   

    - Dorsal Fin - The shape should be similar to a triangle with one tip slightly  curved or pushed back.
                                     

    - Flippers - The shape of the flippers should be smaller than the dorsal fin, but also a triangle. Use a toothpick to smooth the flippers to the dolphin body.

    - Flukes - To shape the flukes begin with an oblong piece of clay. Use the
    toothpick to create the median notch. Then curve the edges inward toward
    the median notch. Use TLS, or Translucent Liquid Sculpey to attach the
    flukes to the body of the dolphin, and then smooth the joints with the
    toothpick.


    - Eyes - Use the toothpick to create dots for the eyes. You can also add black
    paint, and dot in on with the toothpick before or after baking.

5. Once you've finished forming the dolphin, you can add a headpin to the center of the dolphin body and bake it for about 20 minutes at 300 degrees. (To be safe follow the baking directions on the clay package.)

6. After baking cut the headpin down with wire cutters, nail clippers or even sharp scissors, and use pliers to finish the charm.

You can add this charm to a bracelet, necklace, key chain, or  earrings. It makes a really cute gift is you have a friend that loves dolphins too:)

xoxo,
Toni

Or you can just watch the video!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Earrings Tutorial

I uploaded a video today showing how to make a pair of miniature peanut butter and jelly earrings using polymer clay.