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How to Create Your Own Bobble Head

Bobble heads, also called nodders or nodding dolls, are knickknacks that appear to nod their heads after being tapped or jostled. This motion is the result of a flexible neck piece. Typically this joint is constructed from a stiff rubber rod or spring coil. Variations of bobble head dolls place the joint in a different location (e.g., at the hips to make a doll that dances or in the shoulder for a flailing figurine). These nifty toys first began appearing in Europe during the 19th century but didn't evolve into a collectible until the 1970s, when ceramics and plastics were introduced as materials.

Things You'll Need

Polymer clay
Spoon
Toothpicks
Cotton swabs
Pencil
Round bead
Metal spring
Metal cookie sheet
Tin foil
Conventional oven
Fan
Acrylic paint
Paint brush
Clear acrylic sealant or varnish

Instructions

- 1
  Shape the body of a figurine out of polymer clay. Roll a large carrot-shaped piece for the body and a ball for the head.
- 2
  Flatten both ends of the carrot to form a tapered cylinder.
- 3
  Hallow out the inside of the ball and cylinder with a spoon so that the walls of clay are no more than a 1/2 inch thick.
- 4
  Shape the ears, nose and other facial features using your fingers, toothpicks, cotton swaps and round beads as shaping tools. Use your fingers to push and mold the clay. Draw lines and etch with the toothpick. Smooth out the clay with the cotton swab. Press round beads into the head to make spherical depressions for the eye sockets, but quickly remove the beads before continuing. Do not leave any shaping tools attached to the figurine.
- 5
  Decorate the cylindrical body by carving clothing into it. Add arms at the side of the figure. Pinch the center of the carrot to form a vertical crease from the middle of the base to the bottom for the legs.
- 6
  Screw the metal coil into the cylindrical base where the neck will be.
- 7
  Set the head on the metal coil. Make sure the coil is securely grounded at each end.
- 8
  Place the figurine on a cookie sheet lined with tin foil. Bake according to the instructions on the clay package.
- 9
  Remove the tray from the oven and let the figurine cool overnight. Use a fan to help circulate air and clear chemical fumes from the oven.
- 10
  Decorate the bobble head with acrylic paint as desired; painting is not a necessary step, clay may be left as is. Paint on clothing, color facial features and add skin tone. Use paint to add accessories such as glasses or objects that the figurine is holding or wearing (e.g., bracelets, rings, eyeglasses, hair).
- 11
  Dry the figurine overnight.
- 12
  Spray the bobble head with clear acrylic sealant to protect the figurine.

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