Create a magical underwater scene featuring a 'Sea Lemon' (a bright yellow sea slug)! You'll learn how to create a floating effect and build a miniature ocean habitat in a jar.

Tools

• hot glue gun
• tweezers
• small paintbrush

Materials

• glass jar with lid (16 oz, 1)
• yellow polymer clay or waterproof plastic (2 oz)
• distilled water (2 cups)
• clear glycerin (2 tbsp)
• blue food coloring (2 drops)
• aquarium gravel or sand (1/4 cup)
• silver or iridescent glitter (1 tsp)
• small plastic seashells or faux coral (3-5 pieces)
• waterproof super glue (1 tube)

Safety

• Adult supervision required when using the hot glue gun.
• Be careful with glass jars to avoid breakage.
• Keep small beads or glitter away from very young children to avoid choking hazards.
• Adult supervision required for hot materials. Burn risk.
• Small parts pose a choking hazard. Supervise young children.
• Protect work surface. Materials may stain clothing.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Sculpt your 'Sea Lemon' using the yellow clay. Shape it into a small, oval, slug-like form with a slightly textured back. Let it dry or cure according to the clay instructions.
2. Apply a generous amount of waterproof super glue or hot glue to the bottom of your Sea Lemon figure.
3. Press the Sea Lemon firmly onto the inside bottom center of the glass jar. Let the glue dry completely for at least 30 minutes to ensure it doesn't float away.
4. Carefully add the aquarium gravel or sand around the Sea Lemon to create the ocean floor.
5. Use tweezers to place the small seashells or faux coral pieces into the sand to decorate the scene.
6. Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water, leaving about a half-inch of space at the top.
7. Stir in 2 drops of blue food coloring and 2 tablespoons of glycerin. The glycerin helps the glitter fall more slowly, creating a 'snow' effect.
8. Add the iridescent glitter to the water and stir gently with a paintbrush.
9. Dry the rim of the jar and screw the lid on tightly. For an extra secure seal, apply a thin bead of glue around the rim before closing the lid.