Prancer & Dancer

Need more help getting started with QuikWood (QW) go to this page: Quikwood Tips and Tricks

Getting Started:

Mix sliver of QW and roll into a coil that is 1” long. Insert dowel into center of pointy end of egg with about ½” showing. Wrap coil around dowel and blend clay down onto Styrofoam, and then blend clay up on dowel, use extender if needed. Allow to cure.

Making Antlers and Flowers:

To make the antlers mix 1/8” of QW and pinch and flatten into a 1/16” pancake. Using small star cutter, cut out one star; remix clay and cut a second star the same thickness.

Use the remaining clay to make flowers. Pull off ¼” balls of clay and roll into a 1” coils and then press and flatten on parchment paper. Let stars and flowers sit 5 minutes.

For antlers pinch two points together, this will be the base of the antler. Pinch each of the other three points to make them thinner and then push the side points up a little. Wait 5 more minutes.

Pick up antlers and continue shaping to give them a little more shape. The top point should be a little longer than the side points. Let the antlers cure.

To make flowers pick of piece of clay and begin folding end in. Continue rolling on an angle so that the top edge flares out. Continue rolling until you use all of the clay. Repeat to make the other flowers.

Attaching Head:

Press 1 ½ ball on top of dowel and then remove. Mix ½” of clay to cover head. Roll into a ball and then begin pinching between your fingers to make a flat pancake. Lay on top of ball and then begin pressing and pulling to cover ball. Keeping working with ball until it is nice and smooth. Place on top of dowel and press to secure in place. If needed, place hook in top of head by folding over a piece of wire and then trimming to ½”. Insert into top of head. Allow to cure.

Inserting Antlers:

Pick the best side for the front of the face. Decide where you want the antlers and then press them into head making sure they are about the same height. . I have them about the center top of head with about a ¼” space between them at the base. Push clay against antlers if needed. Allow to cure.

Making Arms & Legs:

For the arms mix 1/4” of QW and divide into two. Roll each piece into a coil that is about 2 ¼” long. Lay on a piece of parchment paper and gently press pointy end on top to make a little fatter, then gently flatten a little. Using pointy tool put a hole in top of arms so that you will be able to put your wire through to attach arms to body. Bend each arm out at the elbow. Let arms sit about 10 minutes. Pick up and position on Styrofoam body and bend so that the arms conform to the shape of the body. Keep checking them until they hold their shape. Allow to cure.

Attaching Legs:

Mix up 1/8” of QW and divide into two. Cut two pieces of wire each about 3” long. Fold wires in half using round nose pliers. Slip wires through holes in the legs. Pick the side that you think would be the best for the face and then insert them into the bottom center. Have them evenly spaced and about 3/4” apart. Leave the wires out of the body about ½” to ¾”. Roll clay into a coil that is about 1” long. Wrap around the top of the wire and have it connect together. Shape it into a little mound and have it securely press against Styrofoam. Repeat on the other leg. You want to make sure you have enough room for the legs to swing freely. Adjust them in or out as needed. Allow to cure.

Attaching Arms:

Mix up 1/16” of QW and divide into two. Cut two pieces of wire each about 2” long. Fold wires in half using round nose pliers. Trim to about ¾”. Position arms and then insert wires through holes in the arms. The one prong of the wire should go in the arm and the other should go to the back of the arm. Leave the wires out of the body about ½””. Roll clay into a coil that is about 1” long. Wrap around the wire next to the body. Make sure the clay is connected in the center and then blend the edges out onto the body. Repeat on the other arm. You want to make sure you have enough room for the arms to move freely. Adjust them in or out as needed. Allow to cure.

Covering body with clay:

Mix a small amount of QW up at a time. Pull off a small piece and flatten between your fingers and then lay it on the body where there is no QW. Press the clay to the body and then press and pull it out to cover the body. This is just a thin layer of QW that you are putting on the body. Continue until the entire body is covered. Allow to cure. (Video)

Adding Ears, muzzle, and nose:

Mix 1/8” of QW and divide in 2 and then divide one of the pieces in two again for the ears. Roll each piece of clay into a ball and then into a ¾” long cone. Flatten on parchment paper. Make sure you can easily lift ears off of parchment paper. Using tip of pencil or pointy tool lay with point facing the wide end of the cone coming from the pointy end of cone. Fold over end of tool and position in front and to the side of the antlers on the boy deer. Position and press into place and then pull tool out. Keep watching and lifting ears if needed.

Use the remaining piece for the muzzle. Pull off a very small ball for the nose. Roll remaining piece into a fat cone about ½” long and place in center of face. Blend edges to face, using extender if needed. Shape with nose going up a little. Sit little ball for nose on end of muzzle.

Repeat for girl deer and place ears in the same position on head.

Adding Halo:

For the halo of flowers on the girl deer mix 1/16” of QW and pull off a 3/8” ball. Roll into a 2” coil. Lay in center of head with it connecting in the back. It is centered between the ears and goes across the front of the head and then back. With the remaining clay pull off small balls about 1/8” to ¼” to make leaves for flowers. Roll into small cones and flatten. Attach to the wreath and keep adding leaves and flowers. I just had the flowers and leaves going across the front of the halo, but you can have them go the whole way around. Mix more clay if needed.

For the flower under her neck make two small leaves and place flower in center. Allow to cure.

Adding Tail:

Mix 1/8” of QW and divide into two. Roll into ¾” cone and position on center back of body, slightly below widest part with point going up. Press into place with tip going out. Repeat. Allow to cure.