snail knife rests

Why not make these adorable knife rests with a little clay or cold porcelain? If you use a few real snail shells, the illusion will be complete. This pretty family of mollusks will definitely amuse your guests and brighten up your holiday spreads.

make knife rests

To start, wash a few large Bourgogne snail shells that you buy or find in the wild. Rinse and let dry.

Roll some air drying clay into spheres about the size of a walnut, and then into a snail-type body. Pinch some clay in the center to make a peak which will be inserted into the snail shell. Press the shell firmly down on the snail's back.

Finish shaping the body and head. Now make the snail's antenna using some brass wire. Start with a U shape and then form tiny loops at each end that point outward, like bullhorns. Cut the ends of the loops with wire cutters. Push the wire into the snail's head.

Paint the snail's body with some gray-beige acrylic paint and decorate the shells with polka dots, stripes, and other colors and patterns.

knife rest snails

November 2008 [handmade gifts]
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