Clay Pot Pilgrims

I look forward to November, when I can bring out my clay pot pilgrims again. Mother and I worked together about ten years ago to make these cute Thanksgiving figures. Every year, I display them on the mantel, along with other autumn decorations. The instructions for making them (see patterns above) are as follows:

Male pilgrim requires 5 clay pots. Female pilgrim requires 4 clay pots. Instructions are for 2-inch clay pots. larger pots may be used.

Supplies:

9 (2-inch) clay pots

Tacky glue or hot glue gun/glue sticks

White and black felt

Craft paint (black, white, flesh)

Black poster board

3/4 inch wooden beads, or same size styrofoam balls

Gold cord

Gold rickrack (optional)

Spanish moss

Clear acrylic sealer

2 artist brushes (one large for painting pots; one small for painting features)

Small basket with flowers (optional, for female)

Directions:

Paint pots (see diagrams above)

Step 1: Male #1 Solid black

#2 Rim black; rest of pot flesh

#3, #4, # 5 Solid black

Female #l Rim black, rest of pot flesh

#2, #3, #4 Solid black

Step 2: Glue pots together according to diagrams above, being sure to insert 4-inch black poster board circle between pots 1 and 2 for man's hat. (Note: we found pots adhered to each other better when we inserted black poster board, cut to pot size, between each pot layer. )

Step 3: Cut four 2 and 1/4 by 3 and 1/4 inch pieces of black poster board. Roll into cylinders, forming 1-inch circles. Glue seams together. After glue sets, flatten one end of each roll. With seam side underneath, glue cylinders at sides of each pilgrim for arms (felt may be used instead of poster board, especially for female if you use basket). Glue bead or styrofoam ball (painted flesh color) in ends of cylinders to form hands.

Step 4: Decorate pilgrims by painting facial features and gluing on collars, hat bands, belts, buckles, bows, aprons (note: we enlarged the apron pattern to make it a little longer), etc. Glue Spanish moss for beard on male, and hair on female. A small basket can be added to the female.

Step 5: Spray figures with acrylic sealer.