A to Z Challenge: April 2016,  Craft Tutorial,  Crafts

A to Z Challenge: H is for Hot Glue and Rock Sculptures

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HI remember a time when my dad used to help me with my crafts that required use of a hot glue gun. They certainly do get hot, but it’s amazing what you can create with them!

I’ve made Popsicle Stick picture frames (see post later this month on making one yourself), sock puppets (more on this to come in April), and fun rock sculptures as well. There is really no end to what you can create with the use of a hot glue gun!

Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
Photo Credit: J.H. Winter

You may get a few burns along the way, especially if you’re klutzy like me, but it’s always well worth the resulting 3D art! Speaking of which, I’d like to share with you how to make one of those rock sculptures I was talking about.

Let’s Make Something Fun! Caterpillar Rock Sculpture

Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
Photo Credit: J.H. Winter

Materials Needed (found at any local craft supply store):

  • fake moss (I love using the variety pack!)
  • river stones (small size)
  • hot glue gun
  • hot glue sticks
  • puff balls (varying colors)
  • googly eyes (small to medium size)
  • pipe cleaner
  • large rock
  1. First things first, find a rock. Not just any old rock. Try to find one that has varying levels and grooves, but also has some flat surfaces for your characters to sit on. Place your rock in the center of your newspaper with the most stable side down for balance.

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
  2. Lay out your materials in front of you (once the glue gun is hot, you don’t want to be leaving it to grab the things you need). Decide how you want your character to look and make sure you have all parts at the ready.

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
  3. Get your hot glue gun heating. You want to wait until the glue begins to drip from the tip onto your newspaper. This will tell you that it is hot enough to be worked with.

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
  4. While it is heating, pick out the pieces of moss you want to work with. You can lay them over areas of the rock to see how they look before you begin.
  5. Begin by gluing moss to the rock.
    DSCN0054
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
  6. Make your character and glue it to the rock: Start by gluing down the head first, then antennae, and finally the eyes. Continue by gluing down the remaining body segments whichever direction works best on the rock you’ve chosen.
    **Note: If you are making a single, larger pompom character, you can always make the character first before applying it to the rock sculpture.**

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
  7. Take your bag of smooth (small-sized) river stones and add them here and there to break up the moss. Afterward, I go back over the rocks, adding small bits of moss in between, so it appears the moss grew on top of them.

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
  8. Add any final touches you’d like. Your rock sculpture is now complete.

    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
    Photo Credit: J.H. Winter

I have made Totoro versions of this rock sculpture and Soot Sprites (see the Misc. section of my Portfolio). Maybe you know someone who likes owls? You could get some natural-colored pompoms and some felt and make one of those. Perhaps you like cats or dogs. They would be pretty easy to make using the same sorts of materials.

Whatever character you choose, these rock sculptures are a fun way to pass the time and offer a nice centerpiece or decoration for any shelf. You could make an entire scene if you have a larger rock. You could even make a terrarium of characters with a collection of rocks glued together.

The possibilities truly are endless with this one!

Photo Credit: J.H. Winter
Photo Credit: J.H. Winter

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