Okay, so I’ve been wanting to make a Totoro-themed tea cup for a while now. I just love Totoro, and I thought it would be a fun little project. I’m not a professional potter or anything, just someone who likes to mess around with clay sometimes.
First, I gathered my materials. I already had some air-dry clay, which is super easy to work with, and some acrylic paints. I also grabbed some sculpting tools – basically just some pointy and rounded things I found around the house, like toothpicks and the back of a paintbrush.
Shaping the Cup
I started by rolling out a big chunk of clay into a ball. Then I flattened it out into a thick circle for the base of the cup. It didn’t have to be perfect, because, you know, handmade charm and all that.
Next, I rolled out a long, snake-like piece of clay for the walls of the cup. I wrapped it around the base, slowly building it up layer by layer. I used my fingers and a bit of water to smooth out the seams and make sure it was all connected. This part was a bit tricky, trying to keep the walls even and not too thick.
- Roll clay into a ball.
- Flatten to create the base.
- Roll a long piece for the walls.
- Build up the walls layer by layer.
- Smooth seams with water.
Adding Totoro Details
Once the basic cup shape was done, it was time for the fun part – Totoro! I rolled out two small balls for the ears and stuck them on top. Then I used a toothpick to make little indentations for his eyes and added a tiny ball of clay for his nose. I also scratched on his signature tummy markings with the toothpick.
I even make a handle,just roll out another smaller roll,bend into a loop,stick it to the body.
After everything was assembled, I let the cup dry completely. This took a couple of days. I just left it on a shelf and tried not to poke at it too much.
Painting
When the clay totally dry and hard,start painting on it!
I pick a nice gray color for the body,white for belly,black for eyes and nose.
The Finished Product
After the paint was dry, my Totoro tea cup was finished! It’s definitely not perfect – it’s a bit wobbly and the paint job is a little messy – but I love it. It’s my own little handmade piece of Totoro, and it makes me smile every time I use it. Plus, tea just tastes better in a Totoro cup, right?
It was a really relaxing and enjoyable project. I’d definitely recommend giving it a try, even if you’ve never worked with clay before. It’s easier than you might think!
