MOTHER EFFIN' SNOWBALLS! with tutorial

Today was supposed to be the first snow of the season. Because it's daylight savings and now dark at 2 in the afternoon (not really, but it feels like it) I have no idea if it actually did snow today BUT there's these dudes. The yearly Cheeky Snowballs.

I've been making these guys for nearly 10 years. TEN FREAKING YEARS! They started out as emotional snowballs and transformed into the cheeky variety.

This year I've decided to do a tutorial so people can create their own. The video is available HERE on my YouTube channel. If you create your own, please share on social media and tag me. Seriously, it's appreciated and I totally want to see what you make.

A couple of things I KNOW are going to come up.

1. Can I use a different clay?  

I REALLY recommend you use Creative Paperclay for this project. It's super light weight so your ornament won't drag down the Xmas tree branches. It gives a beautiful finish. There may be a bit of a learning curve if you're used to other materials... but  In my opinion it's absolutely worth $ and time. 

2. It's taking SOOO LONG! Can I speed up the drying?

I prefer to let things dry naturally. There seems to be less warping, and cracking when I let things take their course. Plus, do you really want to put styrofoam in the oven? Nah.

3. Clear glitter?

Never mind fancy stuff, head over to the kids aisle in Micheal's and grab a big ole jar of Creatology "Crystal Clear" glitter. It looks like this...

What is most important is that your glitter of choice is NOT SOLID WHITE. The flecks in this product are transparent. This is important. You want a product that will allow the underlying paint colour to show through. Just look for something transparent or translucent.

4. I can't find tiny eye hooks!

I use teeny tiny eye hooks for hanging on my snowballs. If you can't find any small enough, try the jewellry section of the craft store and look for findings like these Tiny Silver Eye Pins*. Poke a hole with a straight pin, add a dab of glue, and slide it in. They'll work in a pinch.

5. What kind of glue do you use?

I'm using Elmer's School Glue in the tutorial. The better the quality glue you use (i.e. Aleene's Tacky Glue) the more glitter will remain on your snowballs in the long run.

6. Can I (insert other subsitution/method/madness)?

Part of the joy of creating is experimentation. Have an idea? Give it a try! Maybe it'll turn out a bazillion times better than my snow dudes!

NOW GO AND MAKE DEM BALLS!

THE LIST OF SUPPLIES!
- styrofoam balls (2" - 2.5" makes a nice size)
- Creative Paperclay
- white glue
- clear/transparent/translucent glitter
- pink, black paint
- mini eyehooks
- fake snow
- clear gloss medium like Diamond Glaze, Glossy Accents or Dimensional Magic

Witchy Poos Nos. 4 and 5 - Birch and Plum

Two more witchy poos today. First, Birch.

She sort of reminds me of Aunt Clara from Bewitched (if Aunt Clara preferred spider covered cloaks over beflowered hats). She's a lover of creepy crawly things and recognises the might in little things. 

Her frock is crawling with creepies and her staff topped with a spider webby nest.

Next is Plum.

She is strong and calm and soft. 

I'm pretty sure her puff of black hair is magical. I asked her but she just gave me a knowing smile in return.

Like all of the witchy poos, Birch and Plum are is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Their base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. The hair is created with wool roving. They are embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs.

Birch is available HERE

Plum is waiting for her new home HERE

Petal Stool Fairies

A short break from the witchy poo coven because these wee things are demanding attention.

There's a joke in "The IT Crowd" where 'pedestal' is misunderstood as 'petal stool'. I sort of like the idea of sitting upon a petal stool, like a fairy posing atop a floral plinth.

And so that's what I've made! Wee paper fairies showing off atop mossy beflowered petal stools.

Each of the Petal Stool Fairies are listed in the Pixie Hill Etsy Shop

Printed collage sheet of people and butterflies can be found HERE

Little People downloadable collage sheet HERE

English Fairy Garden downloadable collage sheet HERE

Other supplies:

3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder
Candlestick Holder
Paper Flowers

Witchy Poo No. Three - Irma

Irma is the quiet and slightly naive one of the Witchy Poos.

Perhaps naive isn't the right word. She's just far too focused on things like the leaves changing and a tad scatterbrained.

And she is an adept witch. When the wind blows she knows the change it brings, sometimes she encourages it's direction!

Like all of the witchy poos, Irma is is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Her base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. Her hair is wool. She is embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs.

She measures approximately 9" tall.

Irma is available HERE

Witchy Poo No. Two - Edna The Good Witch

Sometimes you just need to close your eyes, count to ten, and douse yourself in glittery things. That's what Edna does. She WANTS to be a good witch. She does her best to BE a good witch. Heck! She even got herself a pair of wings so she could be more fairy godmothery! But sometimes it's hard.

Sometimes you REALLY need to focus on your happy place.

There are times it's necessary to think sweet thoughts of glitter and marshmallows. To recall the smell of lemon verbena and sight of green summer grass against the a clear blue sky. Edna is very good at recalling good memories in the face of frustration.

Like all of the witchy poos, Edna is is made with a free sculpted paperclay face. Her base is cotton muslin stuffed with fibre and weighted with mung beans. Her hair is wool. She is embellished with scrap fabrics, bits and bobs. Edna is proud of the fact that she is the only winged witch of the coven.

She measures approximately 9" tall.

It is worth nothing that everyone who has seen the witches in person has remarked that Edna is their favourite. She's thrilled with her popularity.

Edna is available HERE.

Witchy Poo No. One - Winnie

If you follow my instagram account you may recall, many moons ago, that I posed a bunch of little faces that I had sculpted. It's been a loooong time, but I've finally finished all the old biddies. I'll be posting all 13 of them over the next week or so.

Here's the first oldie, who I am fairly certain is named Winnifred (although she prefers Winnie).

I imagine she's a hedge witch of sorts. She has a bundle of twigs in her belt, keys at her waist and a stick broom.

She is just shy of 9" tall. All of these oldies are are made with paperclay faces, cotton muslin base, and embellished with scrap fabrics.

Winnie is available in the etsy shop HERE.

Perpetual Happiness Calendar

Sometimes, I need a reminder to breathe more than I need to recall that it's Sunday the 29th of October.

So I've taken the Gypsy Soul Perpetual Calendar Bracket Style and turned it into a Perpetual Happiness Calendar.

Instead of days and dates, I've replaced them with reminders to kick ass, to sparkle, and included images of some of my favourite things like Christmas robins, Van Gogh and pretty ladies in pink.

Both sides of the cards are decorated to give lots of variation. When the mood strikes, I'll select new cards, reminders to inhale/exhale, to think nice thoughts and encouragement to keep at it!

I've added gold and pink dresden trims and colourful fun bits of sparkle.

With little angel feet to hold up my happiness.

If you really do need to remember what day it is, laser cuts of the months, days and numbers come with the Perpetual Calendar Bracket Style

Or you can set them aside and decorate the inserts with your own joyful reminders.

I've created a short video with tips on putting together this piece. You can skedaddle over HERE to see it. 

The list of requirements!

Perpetual Calendar Bracket Style

Scrapbook paper
Dresden Trims
Cherub Metal Box Feet Set
Oak leaf charms
Gem/Jewel bits and bobs
Washi tape
Stickers
Glitter
Glue