How to Make a Coconut Tree Using Clay
Coconut palms are reminiscent of idyllic beach holiday destinations. They remind us of clear blue water, white sand and good times. You can make a coconut tree from clay to recreate the Caribbean in your own home. You can make a ceramic tree, but that takes a modicum of skill and a kiln to create. Fortunately, you can also use polymer clay, which can be fired in a home oven. Polymer clay comes in a range of vibrant colors and is easy to work with.
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Things You'll Need
- Polymer clay in brown and green
- Bobby pin
- Rolling pin
- Cookie sheet
- Oven
Instructions
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1
Break off a section of the brown polymer clay that is as big as you want the trunk of your coconut palm to be. Work the clay with your fingers until it is soft and malleable.
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2
Roll the clay back and forth on your work surface with the palm of your hand until it forms a tube that is as long and thick as you want the trunk of your coconut palm to be.
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3
Press the bend in the bobby pin into the clay along the length of the trunk. This will make small round indentations that represent the stems of leaves that have fallen off the tree.
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4
Hold the tube upright, and press the bottom of the tube so that it flares. Press the bottom of the tube down on your surface so that the tube is able to stand upright by itself. This is your coconut palm tree trunk.
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5
Work the green clay until it is soft, and then roll it out on your work surface until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Use the knife to cut elliptical leaf shapes from the clay. Make four to eight leaves, depending on how verdant you would like your coconut palm to be. Cut small incisions into the leaf shape along both sides to form palm fronds.
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6
Bend the fronds a little, and then stick one side to the top of your trunk. Hold the top of the trunk while you press the leaves in place to prevent it from bending. Press leaves in a circular pattern around the top of the trunk.
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7
Pinch off small pieces of brown clay, and roll them into small balls for coconuts. Press them onto the trunk in amongst the leaves.
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8
Preheat the oven to between 270 and 325 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the brand of polymer clay you are using. Read the packaging for detailed instructions. Place your coconut palm on the cookie sheet, and leave in the oven for 30 minutes.
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9
Turn the oven off. Leave the coconut palm to cool in the oven for about an hour.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to make a big coconut palm, make a frame from wire to support the clay.
You can use toothpicks and other kitchen implements to make indentations into your clay. Press the clay onto course fabrics for a textured appearance.
Do not touch the clay until you are sure it has cooled.
References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
