How to Sculpt a Tree with Sculpey

Make a tree sculpture using basic craft supplies.

When you create a model of a tree using terra cotta clay, the clay can dry out and crack as you try to form thin branches and an erect tree trunk. One solution is to make a sculpted tree using polymer clay like Sculpey, which does not dry out as you sculpt with it. You can also form polymer around craft wire, which enables you to sculpt out very thin branches and limbs on the tree.

Things You'll Need

• Craft wire, medium gauge
• Wire cutters
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Aluminum cookie sheet
• Oven

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of medium-gauge craft wire using wire cutters to measure 18 inches long.

2. Bend 6 inches on one end of the wire into a spiral using needle-nosed pliers. This will be the base of the tree.

3. Stand the wire up onto the spiral base, then bend the other end of the wire over to create a large branch.

4. Cut five to six more pieces of craft wire using wire cutters to measure 6 inches long each.

5. Wind each wire around the wire tree using needle-nosed pliers to create branches.

6. Press Sculpey polymer clay over the entire wire tree form, covering it completely.

7. Sculpt any excess clay on the branches into tiny twigs and branches using the tips of your fingers.

8. Place the Sculpey clay tree onto an aluminum cookie sheet and bake the tree in a 200 degree F. oven for 10 minutes. Allow the tree to cool for 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Add leaves onto the Sculpey tree by pressing green Sculpey clay into tiny ovals with your fingers. Press the oval leaves onto the tips of the branches before baking the tree.

• Keep hot Sculpey clay out of the reach of children.

• Hot Sculpey clay can cause serious burns on skin.

References

• Stampington: Polymer Clay Basics
• Sculpey: Polymer Clay Information