Better Homes & Gardens – Holiday Crafts 2019

Instructions

Snow Fan

shown on page 34

MATERIALS

18-inch roll of aluminum foil
Crafts glue
Toothpicks
Air-dry clay (such as Creative
Paperclay brand)
Fine-grit sandpaper
Acrylic paint: off-white, black,
orange, pink
Artists brushes
Clear acrylic spray finish: matte
White marking pen

MAKE THE ARMATURE

Tear off several 12×18-inch pieces of foil

for snowman armature. Tear off more

pieces as needed.

Fold one piece of foil in half lengthwise.

Roll and compress the foil into a ball.

Continue adding fi rmly packed foil layers

to make a fl attened 14-inch ball for base of

body. Repeat to make a 10-inch ball for the

torso and an 8-inch ball for the head.

Add crafts glue to the top of torso and

to one end of a toothpick. Push glued end

of toothpick into torso. Add crafts glue to

remaining end of toothpick and push head

onto toothpick. Repeat with base and torso

(Photo 1, opposite). Firmly press together

head, torso, and base (Photo 2).

COVER ARMATURE WITH CLAY

Following the manufacturer’s instructions,

prepare a small handful of air-dry clay.

Apply a thin layer of clay to base and up the

body (Photo 3), dipping your fi ngers in

water and smoothing clay.

Make sure clay fi ts tightly against the foil

balls. Work clay up the snowman, covering

the armature. Smooth any gaps or seams

with moistened fi ngertips. Let snowman

dry completely.

For arms, roll two 4-inch-long 1-inch-

diameter logs of clay. Dab crafts glue to

underside of each arm, where it will attach

to the torso. Place each arm onto torso.

With moistened fi ngertips, smooth and

shape the arms into the shoulders and

torso. Using a toothpick, poke two holes

in the arms near the waist to hold bottle-

brush trees. Let dry.

Add more clay to snowman to fi ll any

small cracks if needed. Roll a carrot-shape

nose; place on the face, blending edges

with moistened fi ngertips until smooth.

Roll four irregular pea-size balls of clay

for buttons. Use a pencil to make four dots

down the front of body. Add glue to backs

of buttons and press one fi rmly to each

dot; let dry overnight.

DRIP OR BRUSH ON

ARTIFICIAL SNOW

TO MIMIC

melt ing icicles

OR FROSTED ACCENTS.

 Cardstock: red

 Scrap of velvet trim

 Small artificial greenery and berries

 Scrap of striped knit fabric

 Two miniature bottle-brush trees

 Wire cutters (optional)

 Artificial snow

 Decoupage medium (such as

Mod Podge brand)

 Mica flakes

 Fine glitter: clear