How to make a miniature bucket and spade

Learn how to make your own miniature bucket and spade in just seven easy steps!

DIY miniature bucket and spade tutorial

You will need:

• Polymer clay
• Roller
• Spacers 3mm
• Tissue blade
• Wooden mandrel
• Baking method
• Spacers 1.5mm
• Needle
• Sand paper
• Sellotape
• Casting resin
• Resin colourant
• Super Glue

Spade template: 10mm x 35mm

Download the spade template

Instructions

1. Roll out some clay 3mm thick, and cut out a rectangle. Wrap the rectangle around a wooden mandrel taking care with the seam and adding some extra clay for reinforcing if necessary. Once done, bake.

2. Roll out some clay 3mm thick, and cut out a thin strip. Drape this over a wooden mandrel and bake in position. I baked mine in an oven at 130ºC for 30 minutes.

3. Roll out some different coloured clay 1.5mm thick, and cut around the spade template. I used a small needle for this. Once done, bake.

4. Once your baked items have cooled, sand the bottom of your cylinder so it creates a nice flat and even base to stand on (this stage is fairly important, so take your time).

This project originally featured in the February 2016 issue of Dolls House & Miniature Scene. Want to revisit past issues of Dolls House & Miniature Scene? Enjoy every issue since 2010 with our digital library. 

5. Refine your handle and spade carefully using some more sand paper. Be careful especially with the spade, as it will be fairly fragile.

6. Apply some Sellotape to the flat base of your cylinder, so that it now becomes a container. Mix some casting resin with some blue colourant and pour into your container.

7. Once your resin has set (usually takes overnight, but can change with the cold weather), remove the Sellotape from the base, and glue the handle into position using some Super Glue.

Missed a step in our miniature beach scene series? Head over to our blog to discover every guide from miniature inflatable rubber rings to a tropical palm tree.