How to Mold a Tree Forest Face

Placing a tree face on your tree is a humorous addition to your yard or garden.

Tree forest faces are typically molded from terra cotta or plasticine clay and placed onto a tree trunk to give it a humanistic appearance. Although you can purchase a pre-made tree forest face to put onto your tree, buying this type of display can be costly and generic. One alternative is to try your hand at creating your own tree forest face out of clay. By making a handmade tree face, you can be as creative as you want and save money in the meantime.

Things You'll Need

• Terra cotta clay
• Ceramic glaze
• Kiln

Instructions

1. Knead one pound of terra cotta clay for five minutes to remove any air bubbles.

2. Separate the clay into four large balls and two quarter-size balls.

3. Work one side of a large ball into a long, conical spike. Continue shaping the ball until it resembles a tear drop and has a three-inch spike on one side.

4. Repeat this process with another ball until you have two tear-drop shapes.

5. Hold a tear-drop shape and press your thumb one inch into the middle of the ball.

6. Use your fingers to shape the hole into eyelids. Do the same with the other tear-drop shape.

7. Insert the quarter-size balls into the eyelids. Set the eye pieces aside.

8. Form the last two balls into tear-drop shapes as before.

9. Shape one of the tear-drop shapes to resemble a nose.

10. Shape the last tear-drop shape to resemble a mouth.

11. Allow all of the shapes to air dry completely.

12. Paint the dried shapes using a ceramic glaze.

13. Allow the glaze to air dry completely. Fire the pieces in a kiln until they are baked.

14. Allow the shapes to cool completely before inserting them into your tree.

References

• Search Warp: Making Tree Faces
• The Fun Times Guide: Clay Tree Faces