Remember how I said I was looking into Etsy stores for my cute kitty cake toppers here? Well, I had a slight change of heart. You see, I was at Michaels helping my boss pick out new framing for a painting to go up in her home (She says that I’m not just any nanny, I’m Mary Poppins, Betty Crocker, and Martha Stewart combined), when I got bored and wandered away. I found myself in the clay aisle. And low and behold, polymer clay was 50% off.
I wrestled with myself in the aisle for several long minutes. I’m sure I looked like a crazed bride, muttering to herself, holding up clays, pondering if they were the right shade or not. Finally, I figured that if I totally botched making my cake topper myself, I would only be out 8 bucks. If I succeed, I will be saving like 80 bucks. So I decided to put my clay skills to the test. I bought about six little packets of clay in varying colors:
Each of them, other than the copper color, ended up being 64 cents. The copper color was on sale for $1.39. As soon as I got home from Michaels I went straight to my room and holed up in there, determined to conquer this DIY.
I turned on a little Florence + the Machine and got to work.
As you can see, being a live-in nanny has its slight downfall (only two weeks left, and then back to home and back to my comfy apartment with Mr. D!), my work space consisted of a box top that I converted to be my tabletop.
A word to anyone who has not worked with polymer clay—it’s very tough clay. It takes a lot of working and time to get it into a malleable form. My hands were killing me when I was done with this project, because I had to work the clay for so long and my fingers kept cramping. I pulled up pictures of my kittens and carefully tried to capture their characteristics in the clay.
After about two hours, I was surprised to find myself done, even with the difficulty of trying to get Kelly’s calico colors just right. I just carefully shaped and molded until I got the two cutest little things!
I haven’t fired the clay yet, because There still some little things that I need to do, like make Kelly a bit taller and skinner, but I once I get that done, I will be putting these two on a little round, wooden platform, and then set them aside until the day they finally go on our cake! I’m pretty proud of my $8 project.
What do you think?
Are you doing your cake topper yourself? What were some of the frustrations you came across? Were you happy with your work at the end?
WOW! You did an awesome job! Seriously if I had attempted that it would have just been two large balls of clay if I was lucky. Grats on saving $80 and being able to tell people you did it yourself!
What a great way to incorporate your kitties! I was thinking about trying to make my own cake toppers (or rather ask my creative and talented MOH to make them for me) but I can’t decide yet.
Great tip about the polymer clay though. I had been looking at self-drying clay since I don’t have a kiln or anything.
Super impressed, Doily! I want to incorporate our three kitties, but I do not have the talent for this project!
Oh Oh OHHHH those are SOOOOO adorable and wonderful! I’m so impressed! Also, I love Florence + The Machine. And is it weird that I thought those polymer clay squares looked like little hunks of colored Tootsie Roll?
I love that you made kitty cake toppers!!! My FH made our cake toppers and we included a little version of our cat to be with us on the cake. All my BM keep making fun of me but My FH and I agree, our cat is our first child and we love her. We are getting married and starting our family…which ultimately started with our cat.
I like how you melded the colors together to get the calico pattern! Well done in capturing their likenesses in clay, D!
So cute and such a great job! The coloring is perfect!
AH this is great! I too found myself in the oven baked clay dept (which is VERY EASY to work with) at hobby lobby about two weeks ago. I am attempting to make cake toppers like on Etsy with the bride and groom but a bit less detailed since I’m not as experience. I’m a bit frustrated with the groom’s tux & the bride’s flowers though. What I thought looked like a flower, others say it looks like a cookie. 
Haha. I’m finding it hard to make any “type” of flower as small as I need it to be though. I’ve basically put the project on hold a few days to give my self a break.
Great job on yours though! I’m inspired again. Maybe bringing up a picture would help a lot more.
This is so sweet! Your work is so detailed, right down to Smudge’s smudge. You are sure to treasure these long after the wedding. Adorable!
They turned out super cute! I hear you on the polymer clay, I make the mister knead it for me because it kills my hands.
Woo-hoo on this fabulous DIY project…and an even bigger “Way-To-Go” on the $80 savings!!!!
I told you I was inspired again! Look at what I accomplished because I read this.
http://diy.weddingbee.com/topic/the-bride-part-of-my-cake-topper-thoughts
Thanks Miss Doily
@MsBryt: I’m so glad you tried again! Your topper looks wonderful! I can’t wait to see the finished project!
Cute! I am having a good friend make ours. I found a topper that me and my FH just loved, and I asked some of my arty friends if any of them thought they could make something similar. I have yet to see it, but I am super excited that it’ll be made by someone who means something to me rather than just a random person!
awww you did a great job! I think I may have to try clay now too!
No I have NO idea what to do for a cake topper at all, but I thanks for the inspiration! Maybe I’ll model something modern-looking enough for our new theme..dont have a clue lol.
Hope your doing well!
Mrs. Doily, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Age and Occupation: 25, Autism Paraeducator/ Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, IT Hosting Support Engagement Date: August 27th, 2010 Wedding Date: March 2012 Venue: Father’s Vineyard Church/ A Touch of Class Banquet Center About Me: I’m an Iowan girl with a deep love of Harry Potter, classic movies, cardigans, and Post-Its. My type-A Virgo tendencies often cause me to drive my laid-back college sweetheart fiance batty with lists and PowerPoint presentations. I love to be crafty and do things myself, which explains why my two crazy kittens often will prance around the house covered in glitter and ribbons. When I am not bogged down with work, school, or wedding planning, I like to travel to visit my expansive family and have wild adventures with my best friends. After a rollercoaster ride of a love story, I’m ready to take that final plunge, marry the love of my life, and become a Mrs.!
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