Elven Princess or Christmas Elf Ears Headband!

Elf Ears!

Yes, an Elven ears headband!

Whether a Christmas elf complete with stocking hat...

Or an Elven Princess...these ears are the perfect accessory!

Step 1: Supplies

You'll need:

Aluminum foil

Polymer oven bake clay in the desired color

rolling pin

poking device

fishing line

metal headband

Step 2: Make the Ear Forms...

Use 1 square of foil per ear.
You don't want to use solid clay for a few reasons...

It would take so long to bake, the clay would be uneven...brittle...and it would be sooo heavy.

So, take your foil and form it into the shape you want.

(note, this would also work for any kind of animal, Yoda ears, horns, etc...)

The longer you spend smoothing it out, the better the finished product will be.

Make another one the same way...but facing the opposite direction.

Step 3: Clay Time!

For the clay:
Disclaimer: my clay was from my mom. She died more than 14 years ago...

and I don't remember when she used this clay, let alone, bought the clay...

so I'm guessing it's at least 20 years old!

Crazy right...it still worked!

Okay, so warm it up in your hands. It responds to body heat and becomes soft.

With 20 year old clay, it took a while!

Then split the clay in half. I used half a block for each ear I did.

Roll it out until it's about 1/8 inch or so...I didn't measure.

Place the front of the foil ear on the rolled out clay.

Then wrap the clay around to the backside and smooth it all out.

Form them, sculpt them...to your hearts content.
My ears were about 3 minutes each of sculpting love.

They are a bit lumpy...maybe I should have

spent a little longer on the foil stage...

but at this point I wasn't even sure if this was going to work!

Then use a poker or a long pin and stab through the lobe.
I did this for ease of securing to the headband later on.

You might also want to add piercings or what not...do it now, before baking.

Step 4: Baked and Ready!

These little pig ears (that's what they look like to me)
baked according to the clay package directions...about 275* for 15-20 minutes.

They got much darker...and little "liver" spots.

I think it looks more real...but I think it was because the

clay is old enough to vote and die for its country!

Step 5: Assemble!

Okay, now to assemble:
I used hot glue to set it on the headband.

Careful not to cover the hole you made.

Press it onto the metal headband...with not much room to spare...you want the ears to fit low.
After you hot glue them...try on your headband and see if they are where you want them.

It's easy to take off the glue and reset if necessary.

Next, get the fishing line...

Wrap it through the hole, around the back of the ear and
back through the hole a few times.

I did it 3 times.

Then tie it off in a tight knot.

Step 6: You're an Elf!

As long as you work the hair right, they are awesome!

Dress it up with a stocking hat...or a crown!

Make them in any color you want--endless possibilities!

Check out my blog Doodlecraft for more awesomeness!

Please vote for me too! :)

Think of the awesome accessories I could make with a 3D Printer!