How to Make an Alligator Keychain

Attach a polymer clay alligator to a keychain with a gator clip.

The keychain is a modern icon that establishes a person's personality by the type of adornments attached to it. Initials, flowers, animals and machinery are some of the items people use. Make a statement and attach an alligator made of polymer clay to your keychain. The properties of the polymer clay make it an ideal medium to create a whimsical, cartoonlike alligator. Allow one hour to complete this fun and easy clay project.

Things You'll Need

• 12-inch square wax paper
• 1-block green polymer clay
• 1/8-block white polymer clay
• 1/8-block black polymer clay
• Craft knife
• Water
• Paintbrush
• Gator clip
• Cookie sheet
• Oven

Instructions

1. Cover a flat work surface with a 12-inch square of wax paper. Cut a slice of green polymer clay from the clay block approximately 1/2 inch wide. Roll the 1/2-inch section of green polymer clay into a snake-like coil approximately 1/4 inch in diameter. Set aside.

2. Shape the remaining block of green polymer clay into a long diamond shape approximately 1 inch wide, 4 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. The 1-inch wide area of the diamond is the stomach area of the alligator. Round the points into the surrounding area to create the center section of the alligator.

3. Turn the diamond shape so the length of the shape is on a horizontal axis. Round the right tip of the shape to create the nose of the alligator.

4. Position the craft knife parallel with the work surface with the blade pointing toward the alligator's mouth. Move the blade so it's halfway between the top and bottom of the clay mouth. Slice through the clay toward the left approximately 1 inch to create the alligator's mouth. Carefully round the edges of the mouth to remove the straight cut edge.

5. Cut the 1/4-inch snakelike coil of green polymer clay into four pieces approximately 1 inch long. Attach the four pieces to the side of the alligator to create the legs. Brush a thin layer of water over the attachment area. Press the clay into place. Smooth the clay from the back of the leg into the body of the alligator to remove the seam.

6. Bend each leg in the center to the desired position. Round and shape the end of the legs to create the feet.

7. Curve and shape the tail of the alligator to the desired position. Positions include straight, curled to the left or curled to the right.

8. Roll two 1/2-inch balls of white polymer clay for the eyeballs. Slightly flatten each circle until it is approximately 3/8 inch thick. Position the eyeballs on the alligator just above the back of the cut for the mouth. Brush a thin coat of water beneath the attachment area. Press the white clay into place.

9. Roll two 1/4-inch balls of black polymer clay. Brush a thin coat of water over the top of the white polymer clay for the eyes. Press one 1/4-inch black ball in the center of each piece of white clay to create the pupils of the eyes.

10. Turn the completed alligator over. Hold the alligator in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Position the gator clip so approximately 1/4 inch extends past the end of the mouth or the end of the tail. Press the gator clip into the polymer clay until it is flush with the surface.

11. Place the finished alligator on a cookie sheet. Set the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the alligator for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes.