Shape a pinch pot acorn

Finished pinch pot acorn made with paper clay.

       Shape a few small acorns for fall this year. Bring in some real examples for your little students to examine before beginning the craft.

Supply List:

• newspaper
• acrylic or watercolor paints
• small soft brush
• shallow dish of water
• air dry clay or paper clay
• scoring tool - plastic fork
• acrylic varnish
• nail or screw for making marks into the acorn cap

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Shape the nut part of the acorn first by rolling a ball between the palms of your hands.
2. Now insert your thumb and position your five other fingers outside the surface of the ball.
3. Pinch and turn the ball clockwise. Soon the clay will open up to shape a small pot.
4. Pinch the solid, outside end of the pot into a tiny peak.
5. Next, shape the acorn's cap be the same process. 
6. Use the nail or screw to press a printed surface into the cap.
7. Score the outside edges of both the nut and the cap.
8. Trickle a little water into the score lines.
9. Press the cap and nut scored edges together gently. 
10. Students may wish to dip their fingers into water and smooth the surface of their acorns a bit before finishing.
11. Let the acorn dry completely before applying paint. This will most likely take a day at the very least. 
12. Choose several browns and greens to alternate in thin washes of color over the surface of your pinch pot acorn.
13. Varnish and let dry.

Shape the pinch pot into an acorn by adding a pinched end.

Make sure you shape the cap to a smaller size and add a little stem too.

Print the acorns cap with a nail or screw.