DIY Beetle Brooch

I absolutely love bug jewelry.  I think it's so fun and cute, and I decided to try and make a few myself.  It's pretty easy!

You will need:

• Sculpey or similar clay
• Thin, pointed tool (you can find these at the craft store!)
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Pin backs
• Super glue

Start with a small ball of clay, about the size of the tip of your finger.

Flatten it out a little bit on the bottom, leaving the top rounded.  This is the body, the "abdomen," of the beetle.

Take a smaller ball for the head.  Attach it to the abdomen of your beetle using your pointed tool.

Here's a tip I like to do when I'm making pins: press the pin into the back of the clay to make a small indentation.  This helps the pin stay better when you glue it on!

Then, use your tool to make some texture on the beetle.  Pressing the rounded part of the tool gently across the abdomen to make lines for the wings. 

If you want to, use the pointed end of your tool to make a texture like the striations on the wings.

Bake the bugs at 275 degrees for 15 minutes.

Let cool.  Then, go nuts with your paint!  I looked up some images online and copied them for my bug patters.  You can use matte or metallic paint, depending on the effect you want to create.

After the paint is dried, super glue the pins to the back of the bug.  Let dry, and wear it on your favorite sweater :)

I think I like my blue and my black beetles best :) 

What do you think?  Is this an idea you're going to try?