Apple Charm (Teacher gift alert!!!!)

Materials:
*red polymer clay
*green polymer clay
*clay working tools
*wire and wire tools
*small paint brush
*tooth picks
*acrylic paint in black, white, blue, and pink
*sculpy brand gloss glaze
*nylon cord for making a necklace(optional)

Directions:
*take a dime sized amount of red polymer clay and roll in your palm to make a ball

*use a tool with an edge to create an indent on the top of your ball gently pressing into the clay, then do another so it's the shape of an X.

*take a pinky fingernail amount of green polymer clay and roll into you hand making a ball, then pinch one end to create a leaf shape, gently place it onto your apple where your X mark is (X Marks the spot!) and place it on it's side like a natural leaf would sit.

*using your wire tools to create a metal loop with a 1/4 inch length of wire hanging down from the loop, poke this into your apple at the top where the X mark is.  This will be the loop in which your necklace cord will go through.

* bake on a cookie sheet in the oven at 275 degree F, for 20 minutes.
*When charm is cool, get your paint ready, start by using your small paintbrush to create 2 small dots that will be the eyes of your happy apple charm.  You need only use a tiny amount of acrylic so i just tip the paint over and get the lid wet with paint, then tip it back and take off the lid, and use that to dip for the tiny amount of paint needed for this project.

*to do the fine details like the mouth use a toothpick as your paint brush by dipping it lightly in the paint and using it to draw the lines.

*let the black dry for 20 minutes and then use the blue and then the white to create highlights with the toothpicks.

*once the paint has dried for at least a half hour you can use a clean brush to glaze the charm, one to 2 coats is plenty to seal the paint and protect the charm.

Teachers will adore their personalised handmade charm!