A Creative Snowman

Building a snowman can be lots of fun! I love to see people get creative and I love getting creative myself. Here are some ideas for a snowman.

I really like "Snowman Kits". The one in the picture to the left can be built. The link will take you to the blog of the creator who made these at a social get to-gether. This is a great idea for a snow themed party as well. I have yet to get to do this but the basic idea is to make all the pieces you'll need for your snowman with sculpey clay, insert dowel rods and bake. This is a great idea though I would really like to sit down and make several kits for my family so that we can mix and match! Here's a recipe for homemade sculpey clay (should have known I'd find one!):

• 2 cups cornstarch

2 cups baking soda

1 1/4 cups cold water

Combine cornstarch and baking soda in a saucepan over medium heat.

Stir in cold water, slowly. The mixture should be smooth.

Stir constantly while the mixture thickens. It should resemble instant mashed potatoes. Dump the clay onto a clean counter or plate. Cover with a damp towel. 

Knead the mixture when it is warm or cooled. Add food color or dye at this stage if desired. Work the color into all parts of the clay for an all-over color or partially for a two-toned design. The clay is now ready to be shaped and then baked in the oven.

 Or, here's another recipe that- while a little more difficult- appears to have better reviews:

1. Combine in a Teflon-coated pot:

• 1 cup polyvinyl acetate glue such as Elmer's Glue-All
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Vaseline oil (not jelly) - if unavailable where you live, substitute baby oil or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

2. Cook on low heat stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until dough forms and begins to come away from the sides. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.

3. Remove from heat and allow to cool until you can handle it.

4. Knead into a smooth clay consistency.

5. Store in a cool, dark place as noted in tips above.

6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

This also warns to expect shrinkage of around 30% so make these a little bigger than you'd like them to be. When dry and cooled be sure to use a clear varnish to add extra protection from the elements. Felt could also be used with hot glue to attach to the dowels though I'm honestly not sure which would last longer. Not feeling creative? You can buy snowman kits online.

Here are some more ideas for the snowman parts that could also be glued to dowels for more kit ideas!

Snowman eyes can be made out of:

• Felt
• large craft store buttons
• rocks painted however you'd like
• clay
• coal
• nuts

Snowman noses can be made out of:

• fake carrots from the craft store
• clay carrots
• a painted cone shaped block
• painted rocks
• coal
• large buttons
• nuts

Snowman mouths can be made out of:

• felt
• clay
• painted rocks
• coal
• nuts

Snowman arms can be made out of:

• brooms
• branches
• shovels
• snow
• spatulas
• Don't forget the mittens!

Store these in a pretty box with different scarves and hats- scarves can be made by simply using a long piece of felt and both hats and scarves can be bought really cheaply at thrift stores and yard sales. You could use a mop head or icicles for hair if you wanted. You can even (very carefully) make your snowman upside down! Once I saw a picture of a snowman made around a bicycle so that it looked like it was riding the bike.

The ideas are endless, have fun and take pictures so that you can remember the good times!