Introduction: Totoro Ornament
As a child I remember watching Totoro and being completely immersed in a world that constantly left me in awe. I loved the movie Totoro and honestly I probably watched the movie a few more time in a row than is fully sane.
So with the holidays coming up I thought I needed a geeky ornament, while perusing google images for subject choices I noticed that Totoro is shaped an awful lot like an egg. Like, just like an egg actually... I then remembered my love for the bus stop scene. Where Totoro arrives at the bus stop and then proceeds to stare straight ahead in the most awkward dead pan an animated character has ever managed. I don't know why but that awkward dead pan face was always one of my favorite expressions of his.
I then proceeded to dust off my rusty sculpey skills and get to work. The ornaments you see is actually a covered egg shell, meaning that the ornament is pretty light despite it's size. Now of course if you don't celebrate christmas you could also make him a figurine and keep in a potted plant like above. Although right now he's keeping me company on my tripod. He will not be there for long though, as my mother has called dibs on him for a christmas present.
Step 1: Gather Materials!
1. Polymer Clay, I grabbed black and white Souffle clay to keep the ornament light.
2. Blown out Eggshells, notes on that in the next step.
3. Rubbing Alcohol
4. Razor blade, or just a cutting tool.
5. Black 16 gauge wire
6. A baking dish with Polyester Batting in it
7. Black and White Acrylic Paint
8. Paintbrushes
9. Dotting tools
10. An oven to bake it in
Optional: Glaze, I used Modge Podge
Step 2: Notes About Eggshells
Below there are a few links that show you many ways to blow out eggshells, I don't have a favorite but I do have a tip. Try to passively collect eggshells. What I mean is don't sit down with a bunch of eggs the day before you need the project and try to get them empty and intact. Likelihood is some will break, this is unavoidable, but you don't want to get into a cycle of the eggs breaking while you slowly get more and more frustrated. This will only result in MORE broken eggshells. So instead just wait till you're naturally going to use up some eggs and try to blow them out instead of just cracking them. That way there no real waste, and it's not a big deal if they all fail, you'll use some more eggs soon and you'll try again. The calmer you are during the egg blowing process, the more likely it is that you will get intact eggshells.
This is Rob from threadbanger and he documents the frustration cycle quite well.
Step 3: Watch the Video!
Yup so that's how I created my Totoro ornament with his super awkward dead pan face, which I like a lot but some people might be normal and prefer his big smile. Just paint on those details with everything else to get a Totoro with a facial expression that you love!
If you make the Totoro ornament I want to see it! The first 10 people to make a Totoro ornament get 3 months of PRO membership. 10/10 PRO memberships are still available!
