How to Make your Own Figures - The Clay

After my research into vinyl figures, buying a DIY Jinny and painting it, I was considering how to create my own figure.

I was at work one day, teaching the kids to sculpt with clay (being a primary school art teacher) and the idea came to me. Forget the plastic for a minute and use air drying clay to make your figures!

Jovi air drying clay is great for home modelling, not just for the kids!

Awesome, I couldn't wait to get out of the classroom and rush to the shops and buy some clay. I bought this suff (see picture) Jovi air drying clay. Jovi website here.

After some playing around with it and getting used to it's texture and properties, it's a little different from ordinary clay, I made a few figures.

Vinyl Figure Enthusiasm

I can't remember when I first became aware of the designer vinyl figure scene. Somewhere in the distant and dim past, my attentions expanded from plastic action figures.

I must admit to having a soft spot for the Indiana Jones action figures, and I was bought the truck and an Indy figure for my 34th birthday. A hyper link If you need to get an Indy figure hit.

I think it was at this point I came out of the toy closet and let go of my shame in the fact I still love toys.

DIY Jinny

A first step into the vinyl figure world. My first purchase to date is a DIY Jinny. The DIY Jinny has no colour, it's off white for you to paint your own design. The Jinny is made and distributed by Bitbots a UK producer.

Here is my Jinny all painted up.

I call it Pork Snack Jinny. The idea is that it's a miniature, genetically engineered pig with the characteristic of having a peel off scalp.

Peel off the top of the head to find yummy pork spread inside. Spread it on your toast, mmm, lovely.

Bitbots delivered my Jinny quickly and with some surprise extra goodies inside. There were stickers and badges, yey, thanks bitbots. Reasonably priced and excellently packaged, with free post overseas.

Buy from these guys!