Need more help getting started with QuikWood (QW) go to this page: Quikwood Tips and Tricks
Attaching Ornament Hook:
Since there are a number of ways that you can attach the hook you can choose which way you like best.
- While the clay for the hat is still wet you can fold over a piece of wire and cut it to ½” and then insert the hook into the top of the hat.
- Punch a hole into the top sides on the cone and then cut enough wire to go over the ornament and insert the ends into the cone and twist to secure.
- Make a small eyehook by folding over wire and then twisting the ends together. Drill a small hole into the top of the ornament and glue hook in place.
Santa’s head:
Insert the 1/8” dowel in to the top center of the egg (pointy end) with about ½” + of the dowel showing. Mix a sliver of QW and roll into a 1” coil and wrap around dowel. Blend clay down onto Styrofoam and then up onto dowel. Allow to cure.
To attach head mix a sliver of QW. Push 1” ball down onto neck leaving about 3/8” showing for neck.. Roll 1” coil and lay around top of neck. Blend out on head and down on dowel. Allow to cure.
To cover head mix ¼” of QW and pinch between fingers to make a flat pancake. Lay on head and begin pressing and patting to cover head. Blend edges onto neck. Using fingers and pad of hand shape the face so that it is nice and smooth. Make sure you have a nice smooth side for the face. Allow to cure.
Reindeer toy – making anthers:
Mix a sliver of QW and pinch thin between fingers. Lay on parchment paper and cut 2 stars using medium Kemper star cutter. If desired you can cut an extra set and then pick the best. With the clay that is left pull off a piece of clay and pinch it thing between your fingers and then lay it on the body of your Santa and press and blend it into place. Be careful not to place it on the bottom where you will be placing the dowel. Allow the stars to sit 5 minutes before working on them.
Pinch two of the points together and flatten and lengthen to make the bottom of the anther. With the three remaining points push the two outside points up towards center point. Pinch the points to give them a more defined shape making sure the center point is longer. Then wait 5 more minutes.
Pick up anthers and continue to work and shape them like before. Allow to cure.
Adding Santa’s nose and finishing reindeer toy:
Mix 1/8” of QW and pull off a ball that is a little less than ¼” for the nose. Roll into a ½” cone and lay on face making sure it is straight and just below center. Pinch a little to shape. If needed cut off bottom of nose to straighten with blade or push up on bottom with blade. Allow to cure.
Pull off a ¼” ball and place on top of toothpick and push down with about 3/8” of the tooth pick showing. Take what is left and roll into a ball and place on top of toothpick. Reshape into an oval. Insert antlers in top just off of center. Reshape face using fingers. Allow to cure.
To finish reindeer toy mix 1/16” of clay and pull off two balls that are about 3/16”, one ball that is ¼” and one very small ball about 1/16”. To make the ears roll two balls into 3/8” cone and flatten, then place on head next to anthers. The points should be going out. Place ¼” ball in center of face, press down so it fits flat against surface and then shape into a triangle with the point going up. Place small ball on tip of triangle for nose. Pull off 3/16” ball for bottom of stick. Roll into a ball and then insert small hole in ball using tool or pencil point. Put a drop of Super Glue Gel into hole and place on bottom of toothpick. Reshape and allow to cure.
With remaining clay put on body making sure to cover under where the beard would be. Allow to cure.
Embellishing Cone:
Cut off tip of cone and insert dowel into cone. Cut off a small amount at a time because you want the dowel to fit securely. Remove dowel.
Mix up 1/8” of QW. Pull off small ¼” balls of clay and press randomly on cone. Allow to cure.
Inserting dowel:
Mix up 1/16” of QW and insert dowel in bottom center of Santa about ½”. Roll clay into 1” coil and wrap around bottom of dowel. Blend half out onto the Styrofoam and then blend remaining clay down on dowel using extender if needed. Allow to cure.
Adding beard and hat:
Mix three pieces of QW, two pieces that are ¾” each and one piece that is 1/8”. After mixing let sit 5 minutes. For the hat roll a cone that is 3 ½” with the point being skinnier. For the beard roll a cone that is 3” long.
For the hat lift, press the top of the cone and flatten. Insert pointy tool or pencil into the top and swirl around, then pinch edges with fingers to open up the top. If needed insert the tool deeper into the cone and then pinch to open up. You want the opening to be large enough to slip over his head. Slip on his head.
Lay piece for beard on piece of parchment paper and gently flatten the top. Pick up piece and begin pressing down in the center and pulling up on each side to create the sideburns. Place on face under nose making sure to leave enough room for the mustache.
Roll smaller piece of clay into a coil, about 3” long. Lay on parchment paper and gently flatten with finger. Pick it up and lay center of coil at center front of hat and begin pressing into place making sure to cover the edge of the hat and the top of the sideburns. Blend together in the back.
Before shaping the hat and the beard you want to have the clay almost cured, so wait 5 minutes or more. Keep touching the clay until it is starting to get warm. Fold the hat forward and then begin waving tail up and down with it ending going up so that you can put a ball on it. If needed roll clay between finger to lengthen tip. Fold the beard up and then up and down with the beard ending in a curl. Have the end of the beard and the end of the hat connect. Hold until everything cures. Note: If you want a hook on top, now is the time to put it in.
Adding brows, mustache, and hat ball:
Mix 1/16” of QW and pull off two equal 3/16” balls for the mustache. Roll each into a cone about 3/8” long. Lay fat part of each cone centered under nose. Gently press into place and then turn ends up with fingers.
For the eyebrows pull off two very small balls about 1/16”. Roll each into a ball and then into a cone. Lay on an upward angle on the edge of the hat band.
Pull a ¼”+ ball for the hat. Roll into a ball and slip onto the end of the hat. Shape if needed. Allow to cure.
Attaching coat trim:
Draw a line around Santa’s body about 2/3 + from the top of the body. This is where you will place the trim for the coat. Mix ¼” of QW and roll into a coil that is 5 ½” long. Lay center of coil on center front of body and line up, gently pat into place. If needed gently tug in back so it connects. Once it is in place go back over and pat again. Blend back together.
Adding Toy and Arms:
For the arms mix ¼” of QW and let sit 5 minutes. Divide clay in two and roll out arms each 2” long. Attach arms at shoulders on each side.
Position reindeer toy where you want it and then put a drop of Super Glue Gel to hold it in place. Hold a few seconds, then bring arms around and place on top of toy. Adjust arms if needed. Allow to cure.
Attaching Cone:
To help stabilize Santa in the cone you can use either some oasis or a 1 ½” Styrofoam ball. If using ball push hole through center with tool or paintbrush handle. Place ball on dowel and then insert into cone. Leave a little room under Santa so you can add some embellishment. Place mark on dowel where it is coming out of the cone. Remove dowel and mix a sliver of QW. Roll QW into a coil and wrap around top of mark. Insert dowel back in cone and let cure.
Adding ball on Ornament:
Mix ¼” of QW and let sit 5 minutes. Decide on the length of dowel you want extended from the cone. I cut my dowel 1 ¼” from bottom of cone. Roll clay into a ball. Using tool insert hole in ball and place a drop of glue in hole. Add to bottom of dowel and reshape if needed. Allow to cure.