Technical skill is one of the five monthly awards. The judges look for two things: smooth shapes and well moulded joins. Both come from a handful of habits that Klay Master teaches in every workshop, and they work for every activity in the pack. Watch the short video first, then keep the list handy while you make.
Warm the clay first
Break the block into four pieces and roll each into a ball between your palms until it is soft and smooth. Cold clay cracks and will not take a clean shape. If it is too firm for small hands, a grown-up can do the first minute.
Balls and worms
Nearly every model is built from two shapes. Roll a ball between your palms. Roll a worm on the table with your fingertips. To divide clay evenly, roll a worm first and cut it into equal pieces with a blunt knife.
Press, then mould
FIMO sticks to itself with a firm press. For a join that lasts, and looks right, press the piece on, then use a fingertip to blend the edge into the body so there is no line where the two meet. That is what the judges mean by a well moulded join.
Smooth as you go
Fix cracks, seams and fingerprints before the next piece goes on. It is far easier to smooth a plain shape than one covered in details.
Flatten and pinch
Ears, wings and fins start as a ball flattened between palm and fingertip, like a tiny pancake. A point, such as the end of a tail, is made by pinching gently.
Details last
Eyes, spots and stripes go on at the very end. Roll tiny balls, press them on, then push a toothpick into the centre of each eye. This is also the moment for the Nightglow clay.
Turn it as you work
Entries are photographed from the front, the back, both sides and above, so check the model from every angle before you call it done. The back is the bit everyone forgets.
Bake with care
Place the model on baking paper on an oven tray and bake at 110°C for 30 minutes. Set a timer and never go hotter or longer. Let it cool completely before you touch it.
Finish with gloss
Once the piece is cool, brush on a thin coat of the water-based gloss varnish from the pack. It deepens the colours and gives a smooth, shiny finish. Let it dry fully before the photos.
Easy clean up
Everything in the pack is water based. Warm soapy water takes care of hands, tools and the table, and the varnish brush rinses clean if you do it straight away.
