As the school year closes and summer begins, now is finally the time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the vacation ahead. And what better way to do this than to have a little fun crafting something both practical and adorable? This handy little whale was made completely from scratch and serves not only to adorn your room but also to prop up your phone. Instead of having to hold your phone in your hand, this little whale holds your device for you, allowing you to multitask. While listening to your favorite songs or watching your favorite summer films propped up on a whale, you can type out stories, read books, or create more crafts! Made using corn starch and baking soda, the clay takes only minutes to make, and while the drying time can last a few days, molding and painting the clay takes little time, so without further ado, let’s get started!
Tools and Equipment:
- ½ cup corn starch
- 1 cup baking soda
- ¾ cup water
- Pot or saucepan
- Spoon or spatula for mixing
- Three shades of paint (I chose to go with white, black, and blue)
- Paint pallet
- Two paint brushes (one larger and one smaller)
To begin, gather your supplies. Any three colors of paint will work for this project, but a tiny bit of white is needed for the whale’s pupils.
In a pot or saucepan, mix together the corn starch, baking soda, and water.
Then set the pot over the stove on low heat, mixing constantly. Once the mixture turns into a thick paste, remove the pan immediately from the stove.
Spread the paste into the inside of a clean bowl and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, the dough can be rolled into a ball. If the clay is still sticky, dust your hands with some corn starch before proceeding. Pinch of a piece to save for later.
Roll the dough into a ball shape, and then pinch the dough separating the whale’s head from its tail. Carefully use a phone to press the back of the case against the whale’s head and gently press its tail against the front edge of the phone, making sure that the phone sits snuggly in the pocket at a good angle.
After a few hours, the outside of the whale should be dry and ready to paint! If the surface of your whale cracks, fill in the gaps with the extra piece of clay. Then paint the bottom quarter of the whale with your lightest shade of paint or white.
Then, using your second darkest shade, color in the rest of the whale. Paint two curved strokes on both sides of its body for fins and add two dark dots for the eyes. Finish off by adding the white pupils, and if you want, a heart shape for the whale’s spout.
Display your creation on a desk, countertop, or table, and enjoy using your new iPhone holder during summer vacation!
Works Cited:
Robitaille, Elaine. “A Whale of a Phone Holder.” Polymer Clay, November 18, polymerclay.craftgossip.com/a-whale-of-a-phone-holder/2017/11/18.
Chapman, Debbie. “How to Make Clay.” One Little Project, 2022 July 6, polymerclay.craftgossip.com/a-whale-of-a-phone-holder/2017/11/18.
Photo Credit: Author