Paper clay Mermaids

The Paper clay mermaids I made took So. Long. To. Make. POO! I created the little base of each Mermaid using some tin foil, a small piece of a pipe cleaner, a little bit of cardboard and some tape. I pre-made tiny paper clay faces that I used to determine how big the mermaids would be. Each mermaid measures about 3 1/2 inches.

 I then covered the bodies with paper clay. I forgot how much I love working with this clay. The drying time between the layers of the paper clay made this quick project take forever to complete. I have read that you can place wet paper clay into a dehydrator and it will speed up the drying time considerably-- so I may be on the look out for one of those in the near future.

After sanding the little mermaids I set out to paint them....

For the mermaid hair I tied little bundles of tinsel together and simply glued the hair in place on top of each head.

I think they turned out kinda cute~ The little faces look very garish in these photos, but hanging on the tree they look fine.

I also glittered up some seashells to add to the tree as well.
I had no rhyme or reason for the way I posed each mermaid.... When each one was finished I had to figure out what to do with the arms/hands--- so I added some small shells or some glittered seaweed and some small pearls.

Of course, I added some rhinestone necklaces too.

I was going to create a spectacular tree topper but figured I had better keep plugging away on the doll clothing I am creating for a Christmas gift....

So I just added a mermaid at the top of the tree for now.

I'm glad they are finished!  Although-- at a later date, I may cut each mermaids hair a little shorter as you can't really see the mermaids tails very well.

Remember the old green trunk I bought a few weeks ago? I painted it black and highlighted the embossing on the old trunk with some metallic silver paint.

I lined the entire trunk with old maps. I'm in love with it! I have never had a tree with a tall tree trunk before, when it was fully decorated I thought it looked a little "wonky"-- so I stuck it in the old steamer trunk and added a few presents in the trunk as well. A mermaid tree in a pirate chest. Perfect. I see our 30 year old magic elf has found his way to the pirate chest.....

It is hard to believe Christmas is a week away!

I still have presents to wrap! Oh well.... I'll muddle through it!
big hugs,
Cheryl