A bit about this Polymer Clay Diorama from the creator (Dawn Howell)
How she made it:
Actually it is a base that I made out of those wood plaques they sell at Wal-Mart or K-Mart for wood burning ect. I painted it with acrylic hunter green, and drilled holes in it to apply the artificial flowers and grass, then hot glued moss and aquarium rocks here and there, then went outside and got a couple of bigger stones from my driveway to add as well. The little creature is a One Of a Kind(Ooak) sculpt made of Super Sculpy Polymer Clay with a little Fimo Mix Quick to make it a bit stronger. I use an Underwire Armature made of 16 gauge aluminum wire( bought at Lowes) and for the thickest parts of the body I use aluminum foil over the wire. Then it's all up to the imagination.
Tip from the creator about using polymer clay: "Polymer clay when baked to the manufacturer's instructions in the home oven becomes a sort of hard plastic. To save clay you bulk the thickest parts with aluminum foil and it helps with the baking as it is usually baked at 275 F for 15 min. for each 1/4 inch thickness."
Here is a snippet from the story she wrote to go with this diorama:
"Terrwyn dodged trees in her effort to escape the forest, she knew they were after her, they wanted the end once and for all, to be all powerful, and the human race was almost handing that power over on a silver platter. She had only entered the human realm two days ago to discover just how bad things had gotten, and already she felt the Underworld would be victorious, Her mother had told her long ago that there was a war of good and evil in every creatures heart and whichever one was fed the most would win, Today it seemed that evil was getting fat.
Lightning stretched across the sky, lighting up the darkening woodland, she was so exhausted and out of breath she decided to perch on branch just for a moment or two. She was no longer a young Fae, she had already seen 400 years of change, but she still had many more left in her if this journey could make a difference. She gasped for breath and her wings hung at her sides taking a much needed break."
Another Polymer Clay Project - A Dragon
Here is a diorama with a pair of dragons that Dawn made out of polymer clay. This is an outstanding example of what can be done. It would make a great accompanying piece written about a dragon.
This series of pictures shows the development of the Dragon
Here is another example of a great dragon that Dawn Made using Polymer Clay. Notice how you can get a tremendous variety of effects. This dragon looks metallic or almost pewter.
The story and all pictures are copyright© Dawn Howell and cannot be reproduced without her permission. If you have any questions feel free to email her at: dhowell9000 at yahoo.com . I also have a page with more great projects made by Dawn including a beautiful Goard and a Grim Reaper Check them out here: More Polymer Projects
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Interested in doing some polymer clay work? Here are some resources that will help
Fairies Gnomes & Trolls: Create A Fantasy World in Polymer Clay
A world of polymer clay magic, all in one book! Features 15 step-by-step projects for creating clay fairies, gnomes, trolls and other enchanting figures All materials are readily available at local craft stores The whimsical creatures of fantasy spring to life through polymer clay projects in this beautiful instructional book. Readers will learn to create an entire fantasy land, from the secret door to enter this fantastic realm to the trolls, gnomes, fairies and mermaids who inhabit it. Step-by-step photos allow for re-creating the characters exactly, and readers are inspired to make their own imaginary creatures through a gallery of the author's own figures.
 
Creating Fantasy Polymer Clay Characters: Step-by-Step Trolls, Wizards, Dragons, Knights, Skeletons, Santa, and More!
 
Dragons (Beyond Projects: The CF Sculpture Series, Book 1)
Creating Life-Like Animals in Polymer Clay
Granted there are no dragons but you can really get a good sense of how to make animals with this book. Not a big leap to dragons from there!
Tools and Polymer Clays
 
- Sculpey Polymer Clay -White SCULPEY-Sculpey Polymer Clay. America's original oven-bake clay! Sculpey is soft and pliable; works and feels like ceramic clay but will not dry out when exposed to air. Perfect for everything from molded items to free form jewelry pieces; figurines; ornaments and scrapbooking embellishments. Shape; bake and once cool can be sanded; drilled; carved; glues; inked; painted with water based acrylics or Sculpey Brand Glaze. Weight: 28oz/793.5g. Available in a variety of colors. Conforms to ASTM D4236. Recommended for ages 8 and up. WARNING: Choking Hazard-product forms small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Made in USA.
 
Sculpey III Classic Collection 10 Pack
Sculpey III Set of 10 Classic Colors...America's original oven bake clay! Sculpey is soft and pliable works and feels like ceramic clay but will not dry out when exposed to air. Shape it into your desired form and bake according to package instruction (typically 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes for every 1/4 inch of thickness). Once cool it can be sanded drilled carved and painted with water based acrylics. Ideal for artists of all ages. Non-toxic. The 10 pack of Classic Colors includes ten two-ounce bars of Sculpey best sellers.
 
11-piece Pottery / Sculpture Tool Set, Clay & Wax Carving Tools
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