DIY Miniature Sheep: full tutorial for these easy to make sheep, made from polymer clay and staples. A beautiful addition to your spring decor.
![DIY miniature polymer clay sheet on a mossy rock.](http://www.lifeisaparty.ca/wp-uploads/2019/02/DIY-miniature-polymer-clay-sheep-1.1-1.jpg)
It isn't quite feeling like spring outside around here yet, but hopefully in the next little while it will. In the meantime, I'm starting to add some fun spring touches inside. Just a few touches of green and fresh plants have already managed to lift my spirits a little. And the cutest polymer clay sheep project.
These miniature sheep full of sheep charm are the perfect touch for spring. And be sure to check out lots more amazing ideas for spring DIY's linked at the bottom of this post with some of my favourite bloggers for the Seasonal Simplicity Spring Series, hosted by The Happy Housie.
Inspiration
When I was a teenager someone gave me a very similar set as a gift. It's quite a charming story really. I was a part of a small country church. And in the church was a man who was a mason. He was thinking about how God is often called the good shepherd, and we're like sheep. He fashioned some sheep for all the families in the church.
Because he was a mason and worked with stone all the time, he fashioned them out of some beautiful rocks, with sheep made from putty, and the legs made from construction staples. It was actually before my time, and I complemented his one day and he insisted I take them as a gift. I love to bring them out every spring. Over the years mine's become a little worn, the sheep were a little discoloured, and my set only had two sheep.
I decided as a spring craft to make some new ones -a replacement for mine, and a few for good friends who would appreciate the story with the latest polymer clay sheep model. Since it's still snowy I used the original stone, and a little new green moss. When the snow melts all go looking in the woods, and find a few good stones for the ones for my friends.
To make my sheep I used polymer clay, and they're really simple. I love working making polymer clay projects. It's inexpensive, and easy to work with and you can make such a variety of crafts with it. I used white for my sheep, and added paint for the tiny faces. Black polymer clay would be really cute to make a black sheep to add to the flock too. To soften the clay when you first start working with it, so that it's easy to sculpt you may want to make polymer clay slices and then roll them and knead the clay in your hands to make it pliable.
How To Make Miniature Sheep
Materials:
- white polymer clay
- wire
- wire cutters
- black craft paint
- small paint brush
How To:
Sheep
Form the white clay into some little sheepish blobs. I worried at first that they didn't look very sheep like, but I really loved how they looked in the end when there black faces and legs were added, so don't be too worried. They should be kind of an oval, with a smaller head. I formed some looking up and some looking down grazing on grass.
Lambs
And just for fun I thought it would be sweet to add some babies to mine too. Spring always makes me think of lambs. The lambs are made the same way, only there's a small size difference. There's a photo with a ruler for size reference.
Legs
After the sheep bodies are formed out of clay, it's time to add the legs. I cut small pieces of wire for each leg and pressed them into the soft clay. Next stand them up and make sure the legs are even enough for the sheep to stand.
Next, it's time to bake the polymer clay so it will be hard. Follow the manufacturer's directions on the package. I have to confess that the first two batches I tried I burnt, so for sure keep an eye on them. They are quite small and can burn quite quickly.
Paint
Once they're baked and cooled, it's time to paint them. Using a small craft brush, carefully paint the wire legs black, and a small dot for each cute sheep's face.
Create a Scene
Lastly after the paint is dry you're ready to set them up in a sheep ring on the grass up on a hill. I used a rock with some fine moss glued to it. You could also make them as a miniature terrarium scene in a glass bottle with moss.
I love how the sheep turned out and the addition of the little lambs. I set them up on my table to be admired and surrounded them with green plants. You might want to make sure to keep these out of the reach of children because the sheep are so tiny. It really does feel like the a little taste of spring. And if winter refuses to leave, we'll just have to make our own little inside springs like this, won't we. I also think these sheep are perfect for St. Patrick's Day decor, since Ireland is a land of sheep grazing on rolling green hills. This is one of my very favorite spring craft projects.
This DIY was such a sweet reminder of an old friend, and I'm looking forward to gifting some of them as a great reminder of the shepherds love for us, just like he did.
With DIY Miniature Sheep, life really is a party!
More Spring Craft Inspiration
You might also like our Faux Concrete Finish Bunnies here.
Also check out How To Make Cement Easter Eggs here.
You might also enjoy our Pussy Willow Wreath here.
Seasonal Simplicity Spring Series
And today I'm joined by a fabulous group of blogging friends who are also sharing their Spring DIY Projects as part of the Seasonal Simplicity Spring Series. You're going to love all this springy inspiration...
The Happy Housie // Lolly Jane // Craftberry Bush
Inspiration for Moms // Rooms FOR Rent
Zevy Joy // Modern Glam // Hallstrom Home
A Pretty Life // Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Jenna Kate at Home // Life is a Party // Tatertots and Jello
Town and Country Living // Place of My Taste
Rambling Renovators // Home Made Lovely // The DIY Mommy // Sincerely, Marie Designs
Paint Me Pink // Amber Tysl
Southern State of Mind // This is Our Bliss // Tauni Everett
Finding Silver Pennies // Clean & Scentsible
Krista says
These are so cute! My youngest would love them - what a fun, springy idea! Thanks for being part of today's hop!
Rhonda says
These are so cute and I know my kids would love making these!
Ashley says
what a beautiful project with the sweetest story behind it! Now I want to make some sweet sheep! xoxo
Tauni says
Well, wouldn't these just look so cute in a spring fairy garden?! Fun to be a part of this spring group with you!
Uli says
This is so cute! Thank you very much for this crafting idea!! I'll try this for sure.
Jen @ Rambling Renovators says
These are adorable Dannyelle! Love that you made little lambs as well.
dnr says
Jen, thanks so much. Tiny things are always the cutest somehow, aren't they?
Dannyelle
dnr says
Uli, Thank you and I hope you have lots of fun making your sheep.
Dannyelle
dnr says
Tauni, thanks so much. I always love a fairy garden, these would be adorable in one!
Dannyelle
dnr says
Ashley, thank you so much. Happy sheep making. 😉
Dannyelle
dnr says
Rhoda, thanks so much. These would be so fun to make with kids.
Dannyelle
dnr says
Krista, thanks so much. And thanks again for including me in the hop, always so much fun!
Best, Dannyelle
Jo-Anna says
What a cute idea Dannyelle! I have a soft spot for anything miniature!
Christy James says
I just love these so much and the sweet story behind them! I love that you made a few sets for friends as well! XO
Lucy says
Oh Danyelle, these are so tender. You're so creative xo
Danijela says
So cute, I love it!
dnr says
Jo-Anna, thanks so much. Everything is so cute when it's tiny. 😉
Dannyelle
dnr says
Christy, thanks so much.
Dannyelle
dnr says
Lucy, thank you. They were pretty fun to make.
Dannyelle
dnr says
Thanks so much.
Dannyelle