Playful Polar Bears

Create a pair of polymer clay polar bears to decorate your home this holiday season.

By Linda Peterson for AMACO

Materials:

• FIMO® Soft Polymer Clay — White (0), Black (9)
• Four small black seed beads

Steps:

          Baby Polar Bear

1. Roll four " balls and press in paw marks with needle tool.
    
2. Place down on flat surface as shown in the picture.
    
3. Roll a 1" log from a 1" ball and fold in half. Make it fluffy!
    
4. Press this over the top of feet as shown in the picture.
    
5. Shape a teardrop from a ½" ball. Slightly blunt the point. Press on black nose and poke in holes for eyes.
    
6. Drop in black beads and shape eyes as desired. Press two tiny balls to each side of head for ears. Press onto body.
   
   Seated Polar Bear
    
7. Shape the body as shown from a ¾" ball. Roll four " balls and shape into tapered logs. This will become the feet and arms/paws.
    
8. With thumb, press point of tapered log into bottom part of body. This will create the foot.
    
9. Press the arms to back of polar bear. Imagine that he is resting back on his arms. Notice the side view.
    
10. Shape head, create eyes, ears and nose the same as the baby polar bear.

Bake both polar bears at 265ºF (130ºC) for 1 hour.