We just made these fancy clay marbles last
week in Art Camp, and they were a big hit!
They are easy to make, but require a little
patience, since they take some time to dry
and cook between steps.  They would make an
awesome gift for a friend, and could be made
at a sleep-over party as party-favors, if you
have some time.

Needed items:

• White Sculpey Clay (or Fimo Clay) - about
• 1 1/2 - 2 small packs per person
• Oven (set to lowest setting)
• Food Coloring
• Tempera or Acrylic paint (different colors)
• White glue
• Glitter
• plastic disposable plate (one per person)
• disposable cups
• Clear acrylic paint (glossy!)
   

Directions:

Make 10-12 marbles (balls) that are all thesame size.  (This is actually the hardest
part! - making them all uniformly round and the same size.)  For younger children, don't
worry so much about perfection, but perhaps help them a little.  These should be 3/4" -
1" in diameter.

2.  Make one more that is larger (this will be the "shooter")  should be no more than 1 1/2"
in diameter.

3.  Place marbles on baking tray, lined with foil.  Bake the marbles for 15-20 minutes at the lowest oven temperature possible (about 170 degrees) The larger "shooter" marble may need additional time.  Let cool.

4.  Dye the marbles with food coloring, using a brush.  Your fingers will get dyed, unless you wear gloves.  Wipe off extra dye with a paper towel. 

5.  Paint swirls, stripes or dots with 2-3 colors of tempera paint, using a smalll paint brush.  place on a plastic plate to dry.

6.  Paint some areas of marbles with white glue (glue can be mixed with some water).

7.  put some glitter inside disposable cup and add gluey marbles and swish around in cup.  Glitter will stick on to the marbles with glue.  Place marbles back onto plate to dry.

8.  Paint marbles with clear acrylic paint, and allow to dry for about an hour.

9.  Enjoy your marbles!  Keep in a jar or drawstring bag for future use.