This year, I may give him another tie but I am definately not going to forget the tack. These great little gifts are perfect for the artist in your home and is very simple to make.

What you need:

• Sculpey or Fimo: This is a polymer sculpting clay that is found in many different colors. It is soft and can be baked in a regular oven to harden it. There is no need to paint the clay since the colors hold with the baking process.
• Tie Tack backings (you can find these at most craft stores)
• Epoxy Glue

Directions:

1. Take the polymer clay (hopefully you have many colors) and sculpt a creature or object with it. Keep it fairly small and make sure that it is flat on the back. Things like smiley faces, caterpillars, ladybugs, baseballs (with a flat back) or even fishing hooks.
2. Bake the clay in the oven according to the baking time on the package. Keep a close eye on it because it can burn quickly and all you will have is a dark brown object left.
3. Glue the sculpture to the tie tack and allow to dry.
4. Once it is dry, insert it into a tie, wrap and give to Dad.

This craft is better for older children who have more fine motor skills. The recommended age for Sculpey is 8 and up but I have seen 6 and 7 year olds use it with only minor assistance.

Other than that, create away and don’t stop at just the ties, there are many things that you can do with polymer clay.

Sirena Van Schaik

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