Thanksgiving Crafts: Clay Pot Turkey

This little turkey is quite simple to make. The cost is minimal and he makes a great table decoration or hostess gift for Thanksgiving dinner!

You will need

1- 1 1/2″ diameter wooden ball
1- 2 1/4″ diameter clay pot
3 or 4 feathers
small bowtie or 6 inch length of ribbon
green button
6 inch length of jute or raffia
white craft or hot glue
black finetip marker
small and large paintbrushes
acrylic paints in brown, tan, mustard yellow, red, and rose
clear coat spray

What you do

Body Place newspaper down on work surface. Turn clay pot over and glue wooden ball to bottom of pot. When glue is dry, use large paint brush to paint entire the outside of the clay pot and the entire wooden ball with brown paint. Let dry and apply a second coat. When dry, use large paint brush to fleck on spots of tan paint for effect. This does not have to be perfect! Using small paint brush, paint on feet and beak, use the photo as a guide if needed.

Head Use small paintbrush to paint on the gobbler in red. Dab large paintbrush or stencil dotter in rose paint. Dab onto newspaper or paper towel until all excess paint is removed. Gently dab onto “cheeks” of turkey’s face. With the black finetip marker, drawn on eyes and dot nostrils onto beak. Spray entire surface with clear coat.

Finishing Touches Glue miniature bow tie in place, or fashion a simple bow out of ribbon and glue in place. Trim excess to suit your tastes. Tie a piece of jute or raffia through the holes of the green button. Tie a bow and trim excess. Glue button to the body below the bowtie. Glue feathers to the back so that they stick up above the back of the turkey’s head.

Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She and her husband live in southeastern Wisconsin. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine. Subscribe to her free holiday newsletter, Family Holidays, by sending any email message to holidays-on@mail-list.com.