Painted Seashells

How to Make

1. To make a 10cm diameter starfish, cut off 5 strips from a block of Air Drying Clay using the flat end of a modelling tool or use a knife. Knead and shape the strips into balls then roll with your fingers into 5 sausages, making each one approximately 5cm in length. Shape each piece into a leg, making one end more pointed. Press the 5 legs together to form a star shape, with the thicker ends in the middle. Use a pointed modelling tool or the end of a pencil to make a pattern onto the starfish. Curl the legs then leave to set hard, following the instruction on the packet. To make a smaller-sized starfish, use 5 x 1/2 strips of Fimo.
2. Select some shells to use, paint some with a white base coat and some with a colour. To make lighter shades as variations, mix a small amount of white with the colour. Add a second coat if you need to, then leave to dry. Turn the shells over and paint the reverse side, using the same selection of colours, or a contrasting colour if you prefer. Paint the starfish using the same colours. Leave to dry.
3. Working with the same colour palette, paint patterns onto the shells and starfish using a thin brush or a cotton bud to paint dots. Leave to dry.
4. Put the shells and starfish in a basket or as part of an arrangement. The painted shells could also be placed outside.

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