Hands On Crafts for Kids

by Dimples Mucherino

The Asp, or Egyptian Cobra is the smallest and most common type of cobra. Cobras were often used as a subject for jewelry and decorative items in ancient Egypt.

You will need:

1” Ball white clay
Acrylic paint - ivory & black
Satin glaze
Pencil (preferably with no eraser)
Paintbrushes
Ruler

Instructions:

1. Knead clay till soft and smooth. Roll on flat surface into a 12” long rope leaving one end (the head) 1¼2 " wide. Taper the other end (the tail) to form a point.

2. Rest head on side of pencil then wrap body around pencil several times, ending with tail folded back and forth in an “S” along same side as head. Bake on an oven proof glass surface at 275ºF for 15 minutes per 1¼4 " of thickness, with good ventilation. DO NOT USE MICROWAVE OVEN. Avoid over baking. Thicker pieces may require additional baking time. Let cool, then remove the pencil.

3. Apply ivory paint to snake. Dip tips of brush in black paint. Blot on paper towels. Dab brush randomly along head and body. Dot eyes and nostrils black with end of paintbrush. Let dry. Coat with glaze.

Option: Substitute eraser clay instead of regular clay to make a snake that will devour all your mistakes!

Polyform Original Sculpey® Polymer Clay, Glaze; Delta Ceramcoat® Acrylic Paint; Fiskars® Ruler