Candy Cane Mouse

A Christmas ornament tutorial from the makers of Hearty Clay.   Supplies needed:

White & Black Hearty Clay (to make gray mouse)
Red Hearty Clay
Hearty (Activa) Color Scale tool  (optional)
3" of red 1/8" ribbon
Low Temp Glue Gun (or white glue)

For a pin (optional): 1 pin back
Ornament (optional):  1 eye pin for hanging and/or 4" of thin cord



DIRECTIONS:

Mix some black and white clay into about 1.5" ball of light gray clay.   The optional Hearty Color Scale assists with accurate color mixing.  It includes a ruler with 9 holes for measuring and mixing clay colors plus a color mixing chart.   Also sold as Activa Color Scale With Color Chart

Roll out a 3/8" ball of gray clay and flatten to form a 1/2" circle about 1/4" thick for the mouse head. Take two 1/4" balls of gray clay and flatten to about 1/8" thick for the mouse ears. Pinch one end of each of the circle ears and attach to the back of the head.

Take a 1/2" ball of gray clay and flatten into an oval about 1/4" thick for the mouse's body. Attach head to the narrow end of the body.

Form two separate rolls about 3" long and 1/4" thick from the red and white clay. Take the two rolls and twist together. Form a hook on one end to make the candy cane. Make the candy cane slightly taller than the mouse. Even out the ends of the rolls for a clean finish.

Make two 1/4" balls of gray clay for the paws. Place the candy cane next to the mouse. Attach the paws to the body and candy cane, as if the mouse is holding the candy cane, as shown above.

Take two 1/8" balls of white clay and place onto the lower half of the mouse's head for the cheeks. Roll three tiny balls of black clay for the eyes and nose. Place the eyes above the cheeks and the nose on the center top of the cheeks.

Roll a thin length of gray clay. Attach to the bottom of the mouse and curl for a tail. Make a bow from the red 1/8" ribbon and glue tot the mouse's neck.

To wear as a pin: Glue a pin back behind the mouse's body to make into a pin.

To make as a hanging ornament:   Insert an Eyepin (the kind normally used for beading) into the top of the mouse before curing (between ears).   After it's cured you can insert a decorative cord into eye pin and tie ends for hanging.   You could glue cord directly to mouse behind the tip of the head instead of using eyepin.