How to Make a Scary Shark Container From Polymer Clay

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FIMO is not just great for creating dainty jewellery, you can also go large, like this scary shark mouth container!

Definitions first: FIMO is a popular polymer modelling clay, but their are other brands. It’s a cool material - once you’ve made your model you just harden it in the oven, no need to wait for it to dry!

Step by Step Guide

Let’s begin moulding…

Step 1: First, create a simple wire frame to support the shark. Follow the measurements shown, it doesn’t have to be very accurate.

FIMO can be hard to work with, especially on a cold day, so here’s two tips:

FIG 2: First warm the FIMO in your hand, gently squeezing it until it becomes ‘soft’ and more malleable.

FIG 3: Secondly, when joining two pieces of FIMO rub backwards and forwards over the seam, the friction will help create a nice join.

Step 4: Use a roller to flatten two blocks of silver FIMO into square sheets.

Step 5: Take one sheet and join the corners to form the shark ’nose’.

Step 6: Position the nose over the wire frame.

Step 7: Wrap and mould the FIMO around the wire, this will form the top part of the shark’s mouth.

Step 8: Take the other sheet of silver FIMO and join it onto the first sheet.

Step 9: Do this by overlapping the FIMO and cutting the excess away with a knife.

Step 10: Rub your finger over the join to smooth it out.

Step 11: Fold the FIMO over the wire and finish moulding the mouth.

Step 12: The side view should look like illustration.

Step 12: Flatten some light blue FIMO and create a rough circle shape.

Step 13: Place the sharks head on top.

Step 14 & 15: Push the blue FIMO upwards to create wave like folds around the base of the shark.

Step 16: Roll a white ball of FIMO and then flatten it.

Step 17: Now flatten a smaller black ball of FIMO and use a knife to cut-out a small ‘v’ shaped slice.

Step 18: Attach it to the centre of the flattened white ball.

Step 19: Mould silver FIMO into a curved arc with a triangular cross-section.

Step 20 & 21: Join it onto the sharks head and add the eyes - use illustration (21) to help positon them correctly.

Step 22: Make two tapered sausages of white FIMO by gently rolling them on a flat surface with your fingers.

Step 23: These are the gums, join them onto the inside of the shark’s mouth.

Step 24: Make lots of pointy shark teeth from small pieces of white FIMO.

Step 25: Use a nail to make a series of holes along the gums.

Step 26: Push a tooth into each hole - bigger teeth in the centre and smaller teeth towards the corner of the mouth.

Step 27: Add a touch of blood with some red FIMO.

Step 28 & 29: Add blood drips and water splashes to complete the shark. Both are made from thin worms of FIMO, but with slightly bulbous ends - just follow the illustration above for guidance on how to position them.

Step 30: For a gory finale, make a half eaten fish and delicately balance it over the Shark’s lower set of teeth!

Materials List

1. 2 blocks of silver FIMO
2. 1 block of red, white, black FIMO
3. 1 block of light blue and dark blue FIMO
4. Wire (1.5mm)
5. Pliers
6. Pastry roller

Creative Takeaway

FIMO can be used to create larger functional objects as well as decorative objects such as jewellery and keyrings.