How to Make a Creative Tree of Life with Polymer Clay

There are many benefits to doing polymer clay projects with students. In this post, we’ll discuss those and I’ll walk you through how to make a creative tree of life with polymer clay.

Benefits of Using Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is known to be the best clay for beginners because it’s easy to use and very versatile. Students can easily knead it to become malleable and easy to shape. It’s also least likely to dry out versus other types of clay.

When it comes to educational benefits, there are lots that we can point out. For starters, clay-play can help students develop their fine and gross motor skills. Between flattening, rolling, twisting, kneading, and pinching the clay, their fingers, hands, and arms will get a nice workout.

Another benefit involves enhancing thinking skills. For this project, we focused on creating a tree of life, so they needed to picture what this would look like then bring it to fruition with their clay pieces.

Other benefits include emotional expression and having a multi-sensory experience. Playing with clay can be therapeutic all while stimulating multiple senses.

How to Make a Creative Tree of Life with Polymer Clay

This project was inspired by one of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt, and his Tree of Life, c.1909. And if you’re interested in a lesson plan for this, grab the printable pack here.

Materials:

• Fimo Clay

• Twine

• Tagboard

• Tools:

• Scissors

• Plastic fork

• Plastic knife

• Straw

• Can for rolling

Directions:

Prior to beginning the steps below, start with brainstorming.

1. Draw a three-inch tall tree trunk onto the tagboard to make a template and cut it out.

2. Choose one or two colors of clay for the trunk. Roll into a ball and press flat with the can. You'll be using the can like a rolling pin. If you have clay rolling pins, those are ideal. If not, an empty, clean soup can will work. If the soup can has ridges on it, it will create a nice texture in the clay.

3. Arrange the tagboard cutout onto the flattened clay and trace with a pencil. You will just lightly press into the clay with the pencil to make an outline of the tree.

4. Cut the clay tree out with scissors. It is best to make small snips to cut. You will literally use scissors to cut out the tree. The scissors will cut the clay.

5. Use the straw to reshape the curves of the trunk and add texture where desired.

6. Repeat step two with colors for leaves. Cut out with scissors.

7. Press the leaves to the trunk. Use the other tools to add more texture where desired.

8. Use the straw to punch out circles and cut out other shapes for details. Place these onto the tree and lightly press the clay together.

9. Follow the directions on the clay. If you are using polymer clay, you will most likely need to bake it in the oven. If you are using cloud or air-dry clay, you'll need to let it dry overnight. Just follow the instructions on the package.

Final Thoughts

I’d love to know your thoughts about using polymer clay with your students and if you tried this project! Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions.