Darling Clay Dachshund Pens

Steps:

1. Remove ink cartridge from pen tube.

2. Flatten caramel clay to 1/8 inch or #1 on pasta machine.

3. Cut clay the length of the pen by 1 inch wide. Lay pen along clay edge lengthwise and roll around pen base and wrap. Apply only gentle pressure.

4. Trim excess clay. Gently roll pen back and forth along seam line and blend seam with fingers until it disappears. Pinch clay together over top of pen until smooth. Trim opposite end.

5. Shape a 9/16-inch caramel ball into a cone. Press an indentation to the bottom of the cone and place this on the top end of the pen. Blend seams with clay shaper until seams disappear. This is one area where you might get some distortion. Work a little, refine a little.

6. For feet: Shape four 9/16-inch caramel balls into cones. Press paw marks into feet with needle tool. Poke a hole into top of each paw mark and shape so that it is a nice refined shape.

7. For the head: Shape a 11/16-inch caramel ball into a rounded triangle or head shape. Flatten slightly on bottom. Hollow out a hole underneath for neck to insert.

8. For snout: Roll a 3/16-inch caramel ball; flatten slightly and shape into a slight oval. Press this to front of head. Blend seam with clay shaper by gently pulling the outer layer of the snout towards the head. Keep refining until smooth.

9. Turn head so that it faces you. Press the clay shaper firmly down into center of snout. If your head shape distorts, refine it. Keep blending, smoothing and refining.

10. For the bottom lip: Add a tiny 1/8-inch ball of caramel clay to the bottom of snout and press a hole with clay shaper to form bottom lip. Poke holes for eye placement.

11. Press in seed beads for eyes and shape with clay shaper.

12. Shape two 3/16-inch caramel balls into teardrops. Flatten slightly and press the point of the teardrop to head for ears. Dachshund ears tend to be a little lower on the head and longer. It's fine for the ears to be a little big--the exaggeration adds character.

13. Roll a small black ball and press onto snout for nose. Press the head onto neck. Press feet to pen approximately 3/4 inch from top of pen. Blend seams.

14. Bake at 265 F degrees for 45 minutes. Let cool and replace ink cartridge. Shape a 3/4-inch ball into a cone. Press over pen. Press on remaining legs.

15. Shape a 9/32-inch ball into a cone. Press cone onto back for tail. Bend tail up. Blend. . Gently remove bottom from pen. Bake at 265 F degrees for 45 minutes.

16. Fold fabric square over, making a triangle, and wrap around neck. Hot glue in place.