Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Sculpey Figures


Several people have asked about the Infancy Narrative figures we recently replaced so I thought I'd post a few photos of them. We generally make our figures out of sculpey polymer clay built on an aluminum foil base. Scupey is a great clay to use and I think it is attractive to the children. We occasionally have trouble with chipping or with the necks breaking on the people when they are dropped, but overall the figures are pretty durable. In the photo above you can see the new shepherd and sheep we made.


This is the Heavenly Host who appear to the shepherds in the field.


This is our new Joseph and Mary from the birth of Jesus.


And here is our new wiseman.

20 comments:

  1. This is so georgeous! May bless you for the wonderful work you do. Thank you!

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  2. I mean, God bless you!

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  3. I used a material called "Gapoxy", which is basically a two-component epoxy putty. It is practically indestructible, and it air dries just like any putty, no need to bake or anything.

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    1. Hi Silvina - Thanks for your comment! I would love to hear more about gapoxy but can't find any info. Where do you buy it? Could you post a link? Indestructible sounds GREAT!!! :)

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  4. They're so beautiful that I'm sure others, like me, are wondering whether we could make our own nativity sets for home! Thanks for sharing these photos.

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    1. Hi Storyteller! Get to work and be sure to post pictures on your blog so I can enjoy them too! We have made a communal nativity scene in atrium (with each person working on a different figure), and I've made them with my own children when they were younger. Really relaxing and fun work to do with children! Thanks for commenting - its so nice to hear from you!

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  5. First, let me tell you how much I have been enjoying your blog. I am hoping to start a CGS atrium in our parish in the next year or so (I've still got to get my training) and have shared your blog with our Priest and Religious Education Director. So, thank you!

    Second, I am dumbfounded with the beauty of your simple figures. I am wondering if you had some models to look off of or some tips to help in creating these. I am a pretty competent crafter and sewer but not much of an artist but would love to make some of these! Any tips?

    Thanks again for sharing your work with us.

    Beth

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    1. Hi Beth! Thanks for you kind comment! I'm so happy to hear you are going to be starting an atrium!! Is there training available near you?
      The figures really aren't that hard to make. Lets see - we start by building a form of head and torso out of aluminum foil over a pipe cleaner or a nail. Sculpey is supposed to be about a 1/4 an inch thick to bake well. Then we create a skin tone out of sculpy (usually mixing some colors for variations) and apply it to the foil base. I usually make the torso and head (including nose, eyes, ears and mouth)and then bake the figure. After it cools I add hair and clothes, including arms (usually just rolled clay in the clothing color) and hands (saved from original mix). Arms and hands last longer when close/connected to the body. I use scupley tools, toothpicks, etc. to carve texture into hair. Then I bake the figure again. We usually paint ours with a varnish for extra protection. Its been awhile since we made these but I think I used photos of figures made by other people and classical art to give me ideas and of course reflected on scripture in preparation. Does this help? Let me know if you have any other questions! Thanks so much for reading!

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  6. Very nice ... and i like your blog :-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comment Markus! I just found your blog for the first time and am enjoying exploring.

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  7. These are gorgeous, Leslie! I'm so glad that you and your team took the time to make new figures. It is a lot of work, I know, but the children will be so pleased. And it speaks tons to how much they are valued by you all.

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    1. Thanks so much Sheila! It was poor timing but worth the effort! :)

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  8. Leslie,
    If, when you attach the head, you use 2 small pieces of wire, to "live" between head and body you may not have neck breaks. Beautiful work!
    Micki

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    1. Hi Micki, Thanks for your suggestion! We have used a long pipe cleaner through the body and inside the head in the past which keeps the parts together even though they are broken. Two small pieces of wire sounds like a great idea! What kind of wire do you use and how long a length? Thanks for reading and for your comment! Merry Christmas!

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  9. what kind of varnish do you use?

    And thank you for your blog!

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    1. Hi Jen, I'm trying to remember the name but can't. I know it was a small jar of a glue like substance, initially a bit white than dries clear. It was specifically sold for sculpy. But I'm guessing you could use anything. Thanks for the question!

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  10. Hello, I have been using a wire cutter to cut either paper clips or pins to put in the necks of people I have made out of Sculpey clay to help the heads stay on better of the things I have tried to make. Next, I am going to try wire that they use in clay for sculpting.

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