I have read the little prince many times during many different life stages. And to this day I think it's one of the most beautiful and meaningful children's books in existence. The motif of the snake that swallowed an elephant is of course one of the most memorable ones and definitely my favourite. I think it's about the inherent creativity of people, that can be seen in children but so often gets suppressed as we become adult. So, I made this little pin as a reference to one of my favourite childhood books but also as a reminder to retain some of that childish wonder that we still have.

Supplies

· Paper and pencil

· Sewing pins

· Polymer clay

· Dotting tool or other sculpting tool (optional)

· Hobby knife

· Clear epoxy resin

· Modelling clay

· Sanding paper

· Epoxy glue

· Enamel pin backing

Step 1: The Snake

On a small piece of paper draw a long oval with a head on one end as shown. Draw two humps, the left one being slightly taller than the right one.

Mix your polymer clay colours. I chose a golden brown similar to the original illustration, for the snake, and a sky blue for a nice contrast for the elephant.

Roll out a piece of the brown clay, so that it's larger than the drawing. Place the drawing on top and use a pin to poke out the outline. Remove the paper and cut out the shape with a hobby knife.

Step 2: The Elephant

For the elephant work in the light blue clay. Create a kidney bean shape small enough to fit in the snake's hump and still leave a bit of a border. This will be the elephant's body. Attach it to the snake as shown.

Roll out a thick tapered snake for the trunk and attach it to the head. Make two small egg shapes for the legs and attach them to the body. Blend the seams with a sculpting tool or your finger.

Add a flat oval shape for the ear and blend in only the top part. Add a small snake for the tail.

Out of white clay make a tiny arched and tapered shape for the tusk and a small round eye. With the pin poke a hole in the eye. This is the pupil.

Step 3: Finishing the Snake

Make a long thin snake out of the golden-brown clay. Attach the clay along the perimeter of the flat cutout snake to frame the elephant. Add a little ball of clay to where the head of the snake is meant to be. Blend out the edges with your finger.

Step 4: Encasing in Resin

Make a little makeshift stand for setting the work down. Create a little cross shape from modelling clay. Attach it to the head of a pin. Stick the pin in a piece of clay. Cover the top with Vaseline or other mold release.

Mix your epoxy resin according to package instructions. Dip the work into the resin. Push out any bubbles with a pin. Place the work on your makeshift stand. Carefully drip on some extra resin and allow the excess to drip off. Allow to set.

Step 5: Finishing the Back

Remove from stand. Sand of the bottom so it lays flat. Place the work flat side up. Mix up your epoxy glue. Add a bit to the middle of the work and a bit to the pin. Attach pin. After the glue sets attach the pin back. Done 🐍🐘