Turkey Planter
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A more charismatic flowerpot we never did see -- and he doubles as a handsome Thanksgiving centerpiece.
What you'll need
- Self-drying modeling clay (brown)
- Butter knife
- 7 1/2-inch-tall terra-cotta pot
- 2 white pebbles (painted, if necessary)
- Black permanent marker
- 1 walnut in the shell
- 1 red pipe cleaner, 9 inches long
- 6 corn kernels
- Hot glue
- Corn husks (available at grocery stores)
- Potted mums (in a pot at least 1 inch smaller than the terra-cotta pot)
How to make it
THE HEAD: From some of the modeling clay, shape two balls, each 3 inches in diameter, and a third ball that is half the size of the other two. Sandwich the balls so that the smallest ball is in the middle, and press together. Smooth the balls together to form a head, neck, and chest.
Tip: To smooth cracks or rough edges, wet your finger and smooth the clay. With a butter knife, cut a vertical slit halfway up the center of the bottom ball. Slide it over the rim of the terra-cotta pot. Press the two sides of the clay ball together to secure the turkey's head to the pot. Lightly flatten the clay on the inside of the pot.
THE FACE: For eyes, use the marker to draw black circles in the centers of the white pebbles. To make the turkey's face, firmly press the eyes and walnut (for a beak) into the clay head. For the wattle, fold the pipe cleaner in half and twist the ends together. Press 1 inch of the pipe cleaner into the clay just above the beak, and bend down the protruding end.
THE FEET: From the clay, make two 3-toed turkey feet. Press a kernel of corn onto each toe. Next, press the feet onto the front of the pot.
THE WINGS AND FEATHERS: Once the clay is dry, secure any loose pieces with hot glue. Next, hot-glue dried corn husks onto the sides and back of the pot (on the inside) to make the wings and feathers. Once everything has dried, insert the potted mums into the turkey planter.
