How to Make a Guitar Out of Clay

Use a real guitar as a model for your clay guitar.

Making a guitar out of clay is a creative way to express your passion for music. Crafting a clay instrument presents a positive challenge to a child or art student. The trick in crafting a clay project at home is to use a variety of clay that can safely bake and harden in a conventional oven. Task your child or student with using his imagination to design the shape and dimensions of the guitar. Once the clay is dry, coat the guitar with acrylic paint before displaying or handling it.

Things You'll Need

• Wax paper
• Petroleum jelly
• Polymer clay
• Toothpick
• Straight-edge knife
• Cookie sheet
• Oven mitts
• Spray-on acrylic primer
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Place a 12-by-12-inch piece of wax paper onto a work surface. Lubricate your fingers and palms with about a teaspoon of petroleum jelly.

2. Knead a block of polymer clay into a slab that is about 1/4-inch thick, 3 inches wide and 7 inches long. Trace the outline of a guitar on the clay slab with a toothpick. Cut out the shape of the guitar along the trace lines with a straight-edge knife.

3. Preheat your oven to between 250 and 300 degrees, depending on your oven and the clay manufacturer's instructions. Lay the guitar onto a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet into the oven for 30 minutes. Bake the guitar for up to 60 minutes, depending on the clay guitar's thickness.

4. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven with oven mitts. Allow the guitar to cool for an hour.

5. Coat the guitar in spray-on acrylic primer. Allow the primer to dry for 30 minutes. Paint the guitar with acrylic paint. Allow two additional hours for the paint to dry.

References

• Polymer Tutorials; Polymer Clay: Baking; Eugena Topina; 2010
• Cookie Stamp: Clay Casting Project