i wanted to make a mockingjay pin for my daughter. for those not familiar, the mockingjay pin is from the hunger games trilogy written by susanne collins. it is a recurring symbol in the series of books, and the pin is depicted below on the cover of the first book of the series.
i had some copper coloured fimo (a brand of clay which you can bake to harden) left over from a previous project…
i didn’t have proper clay moulding tools, but i made do with some wire, toothpicks, double pointed knitting needles, and a playing card for cutting straight lines.
{ sorry about the grainy quality of some of these photos }
i made the circle part of the pin with wire, then covered it with clay.
i got the idea of using wire to support both the circle and the arrow structures from this excellent tutorial on deviant art. the artist shows you how to create their version of the pin, with instructions on how to make the various parts of the bird, textures on the wings and so on.
as for my mockinjay, i had to slightly tweak the image from the cover. my mockinjay’s head, for example, rests on the circular ring unlike the cover version which does not touch the ring. i did this because the clay would flop down otherwise. i’m sure there is a trick around that, like resting it on something during moulding and baking.
once the clay was all moulded into shape, i baked it in the oven at 230° F (110° C) for 30 minutes as directed on the package of fimo. i let it cool for a day.
meanwhile, i went to purchase a bar pin to glue onto the back. try buying just one pin. i challenge you. the smallest i could find was a package of sixty pins.
good grief. i’m gonna have to open a pin shop.
so anyway, once the clay was cured the next day, i put a small dab of glue on the back and pressed the pin into place. i found this “amazing goop” glue worked really well. just heed the warnings about using it in a well ventilated area.
crazy glue might have worked, but i didn’t use it because it dries quite brittle and i thought it may crack. i found that the goop glue was a nice mix between rubber cement and crazy glue, so it really held the pin and clay together.
and that was it. from the back:
and front:
what would you make out of fimo clay? what would you make if you had, oooh say, 59 pin backings just lying around?
Nice jobe of replicating the mockinjay. I use to make pompom critter pins, little snowmen and such. You can make vintage button pins, knit up some lovely rosettes, thay may be better crocheted. And, wow, looks like you may have some fimo left over too, how about a yule log with some holly. Yep, I have my own collection of pin stuff, too.
oh i remember the pompom critters! vintage button pins, i like that idea. hmmm…
thanks victoria, always nice hearing from you!
You must be very pleased with the results, the pin looks wonderful!
So many pin backs…so little time ;)
lately I can’t get the saying: “Put a bird on it” out of my head LOL
oxo
i Love it patty! when in doubt, put a bird on it. and yes, so many pin backs, so little time. thanks for laughs this morning.
Nice work and beautiful detailing.
So I’ve never found a packet with more than about 3 pin backs in it.
I’m really not sure what you could do with so many – maybe use them as part of a birthday party (or 5) either as part of a craft thing or make brooches for favours.
thank you! i’m sure they’ll get used up eventually. the kids have already made a couple of pins for themselves. 57 to go ;)
oh this looks fabulous! As for the rest of your pins, oh the possibilities truly are endless. I do satin flower brooches, and am about to embark on rainbow brooches. Have fun making.
thank you! happy friday ‘joyce’ :)
Wow, amazing! The pin looks perfect! I just finished this series a few weeks ago, and am feeling a bit lonely now that it’s over. I was against reading it when I heard the premise, but after seeing the film I couldn’t help but want to read the books. Is your daughter going as Katniss for Halloween?
she is!
I love making pins for whatever reason or season. Recently collage is my favorite. Make something and stick a pin on it. :D
put a bird on it, stick a pin on it (:har)
This is beautiful. I want one too now. :) Might have to go buy some fimo.
How about some crochet roses for the pins?
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