How to make a Hedgehog sculpture

Meet Pumpkin the hedgehog. Isn't he sweet?! Pumpkin was a craft that G made with her daddy last Autumn.  The school had set the children a challenge to make an animal sculpture for a competition they would be holding. 

This was a good opportunity for us to use up some of our craft supplies which have been taking up space in the cupboard under the stairs. After allowing G to go digging through our supplies she picked out a huge selection of craft materials. I suggested we tried the air drying clay as we had not used it before and G nearly jumped to the ceiling with excitement when she thought of making a hedgehog. So we discussed what else we would need and got to work. 

Resources:

Air drying clay,

Dried pumpkin seeds,

Googley eyes,

A handful of dried leaves, 

Lid to a shoe box.

Step 1. Soften up the clay by moulding it in your hands. Once its warmed up you can roll it into a ball shape. 

Step 2.  Lightly press the clay down on a hard surface to give your hedgehog a flat bottom and stop him rolling.

Step 3. Using a wide pinching action, form the hedge hogs nose.

Step 4. Place on the hedgehogs eyes. Ours were designed to be used on material and had screw in backs which made it easier for the eyes to stay in place. you could however use a dab of strong glue. 

Step 5. Push the pumpkin seeds into the clay until it is filled. 

Step 6. Allow the hedgehog to air dry for a few days. 

Step 7. Turn over the shoe box lid and glue on the dried leaves. 

Step 8. Add your little spikey friend and your all done.

We did find after a while the seeds started to drop out so you may wish to add adhesive to keep them in place, like that from Kerboo.