If you follow our instructions, this should help you to capture a lovely print of your pet. Please read these instructions fully, before you start.
First up!
Animals are very perceptive, so get everything ready (before you approach your pet) work out how you are going to hold your pet and where you will take the print. This way you are fully prepared before they are aware of what's happening and decide that they have other ideas!
Have some treats to hand. We don't condone bribery - but treats will help to distract your pet!
You will need:
A willing human helper!
Your clay print.
Space to work - if your pet is small enough, you can lift them on to your knee, or hold them under your arm.
For larger pets you will need to take the print on the floor (solid surface). It would help to have another person to hold your pet from behind to stop them reversing away from the clay!
If you have a pet with very 'fluffy hair' between the pads on their paws - it would help for the hair to be trimmed first. Don't try to do this and then take the print on the same day unless you pet is very relaxed. But you know your pet best
NOTE: Before you start, make sure your clay is soft enough. If your clay feels too dry, don't worry, as you can easily soften the clay back up again. To do this simply open up the cling film ,and place a folded damp (not soaking wet) cloth or paper towel, directly on to the surface of the clay. Wrap it back up in the cling film, leave over-night, until the clay feels softer as it will have reabsorbed the moisture.
How do you take the print:
You will need to lift up one paw from above. Hold the paw from the top around the 'ankle' so that the palm of your hand covers the top of the paw. This will help you to place the paw directly onto the clay and press down firmly.
To take the print:
Open up your tin and take out the pack of clay.
Carefully unfold the cling film cover to reveal the top surface of the clay. Gently smooth over the clay lightly with your finger. You want the clay to feel soft - not sticky. If the clay feels sticky let it dry out a little further. If it feels too dry see note above!
For best results be quite sure of your movements so that you get a great print first time.
Get into the right position with the clay in the best place for you to be able to easily take the print.
Take the print
Once print has been taken:
Don't wrap the clay back up in the cling film straight-away. Leave the paw print open to the air for a few hours - to air dry a little. This means it will keep its shape in transit.
Wrap your print back up in the cling film.
Place the clay print back into the tin then pack the sides with bubble wrap or kitchen roll, to stop the clay 'moving' around within the tin as it travels back to us.
Enclose your completed form with the details of how you would like your print to be painted and write your full postal address on the back of the slip.
Allow between 4- 6 weeks for your print to be posted back to you. (Clay prints need to be trimmed, allowed to dry thoroughly, hand-painted and fired in the kiln.) which all takes time.
Postal Address: Honey Pot Creative, 1 Longcraig Road, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9TD
