Customizing Your Wedding With A Clay Topper

Polymer clay is a great way to make a personalised wedding cake topper. It is soft and pliable, and can be baked in the oven to harden and kept forever. You can make a variety of shapes and sizes, but the average cake topper is around 4-5 inches in width and height. You can also add texture and details using fondant decorating tools.

Choosing the right clay

Type of Clay:

The most commonly used clay for wedding toppers is polymer clay. It is an oven-baked clay that hardens and can be kept forever. Polymer clay is soft and pliable, making it easy to work with and allowing for intricate details. It also comes in a variety of colours, so you can choose the perfect shade for your topper. However, other types of clay, such as air-dry clay, can also be used, depending on your preferred style and technique.

Workability:

Consider the workability of the clay, especially if you are new to clay modelling. Polymer clay is user-friendly as it remains soft and pliable until baked, allowing for corrections and adjustments during the creation process. This is particularly helpful when creating intricate details, such as facial features or clothing textures, on your wedding topper.

Colour Options:

As mentioned earlier, polymer clay comes in a wide range of colours, including various skin tones, which are essential for creating realistic human figures. You can also mix different clay colours to create custom shades unique to your wedding topper design. Additionally, you can paint the clay figures after baking to add more intricate details and features.

Durability:

Choose a type of clay that will result in a durable wedding topper that can withstand handling and last as a keepsake. Polymer clay is known for its durability after baking, ensuring your topper can be displayed and cherished for years to come.

Quantity:

Consider the quantity of clay required for your project. Wedding topper figures typically range from 4 to 5 inches in width and height. Calculate the approximate amount of clay needed for this size, and purchase accordingly to ensure you have enough clay to complete your project.

Making the legs

To make the legs for your clay wedding topper, you'll want to start by rolling out four pieces of clay. These should be about 1 to 1.5 inches in length. Push the bottom of each roll up to create a hoof or foot shape. This will be the base of your wedding topper, so make sure the legs are sturdy and can support the rest of the structure.

Once you're happy with the shape and size of the legs, use a toothpick to create holes in the tops of the legs. Be careful not to poke all the way through the other side. You'll use these holes to attach the legs to the body, so they should be deep enough to hold the toothpicks in place.

Now it's time to create the body. Roll out another piece of clay, this time about 2 to 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches thick. You can mould it into your preferred shape, but a common technique is to make the middle the thickest part and taper it towards the neck and the back.

After that, you'll insert the toothpicks into the holes in the legs and then push the legs onto the body. Make sure the structure is stable by spreading out the legs. Smooth out any creases or edges between the legs and the body to blend them together seamlessly.

With these steps, you'll have a strong and secure base for your clay wedding topper. You can now move on to creating the neck, head, and other details to bring your topper to life!

Assembling the body

To assemble the body of your clay wedding topper, you'll want to start by making four rolls about 1-1.5 inches in length for the legs. Push up on the bottom of each roll to form a hoof or foot shape.

For the body, create a roll that's about 2-2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches thick. Mould the clay into your desired body shape. A good tip is to make the middle the thickest part and taper the back and the neck.

Next, use a toothpick to make holes in the tops of the legs and the bottom of the body, being careful not to poke all the way through. Then, push the toothpick into the body and attach the legs, smoothing the edges to blend them together. Ensure the legs are spread out to create a sturdy structure.

For the neck, create a roll of clay that's about the same length as the body but the same thickness as the legs. Push a toothpick through three-quarters of the neck and then one-quarter of the front of the body, blending the two together. Adjust the neck size if it's not staying in place.

Finally, roll some clay into a ball about the size of a quarter for the head. Flatten the bottom slightly so it sits better on the neck, and blend it together with a small piece of toothpick.

Adding the finishing touches

Once you are happy with the shape of your topper, it's time to add the finishing touches.

If you want to add texture to your creation, you can use fondant decorating tools. For example, you can use the side/point of a tool to make lines and texture. You can also use these tools to add texture to the face, such as eye sockets.

To create the eyes, add a small ball of black clay and then a tiny flattened ball of white clay on top. For the nose, roll a smaller, thinner, rounded triangle. Use water or liquid polymer to adhere it to the face. You can use a toothpick or a tool to make the mouth.

For the ears, create a small, rounded triangle and blend the edges to the back of the head. You can also make an indent in the middle of the triangle to give the ear depth.

If you want to add accessories, such as a bow tie, you can roll the clay into a small rectangle and pinch the middle, adding a small ball on top. Use liquid polymer to adhere the different parts together.

Finally, bake your clay according to the brand's instructions. Check on your creation as it is baking to ensure it doesn't fall apart or become misshapen. Once finished, allow it to cool and harden before placing it on your cake.

Baking the topper

Once you have shaped your wedding topper, you will need to bake it in the oven to harden it. Different types of clay will have different baking instructions, so be sure to check the packet for the manufacturer's guidelines. Polymer clay, for example, needs to be baked at a certain temperature to harden.

Before baking, cover your baking tray with foil for easy cleanup. Place your clay creation on the tray and put it in the oven. Be sure to check on your topper as it bakes—this is a good opportunity to spot any issues and make adjustments. For example, if your topper is too top-heavy, you may need to add more toothpicks for support.

It's important not to rush the baking process. Take the time to get it right, and don't be afraid to remake your topper if it doesn't turn out exactly as you wanted. After baking, allow your topper to cool completely before handling it.

Once your topper has cooled, you can add any final touches, such as paint or glitter. You can also seal your topper with a clear coat to protect it and give it a shiny finish. Again, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for any products you use.

Finally, attach your topper to a base if necessary. You can use liquid polymer or another suitable adhesive to secure it in place. And that's it! Your clay wedding topper is now ready to be displayed on your cake.

Frequently asked questions