Estimated time to complete activitiy:
3-5 hours

Materials needed:
Self-hardening clay
Water
Apple stem or stem from a leaf
Wax paper
Pencil
Paint
Paintbrush
Shellac
Cellophane and ribbon

Description:
Giving your favorite teacher an apple is an old time tradition. Why not create an apple that will give him or her years of enjoyment and fond memories of you?

Instructions:
1. Take a piece of clay (about the size of an apple) and roll it into a ball.
2. Dip fingertips in water to smooth the surface of the clay (water is an easy way to help you manipulate the clay).
3. Place the ball of clay onto wax paper.
4. Hold the ball of clay with one hand, and with the other hand, make a thumb print 1/4 inch deep into the top center of the ball.
5. Starting from the top of the ball and using both hands, begin to taper the ball at the bottom to take on the shape of an apple.
6. Dip fingertips in water to smooth out the apple shape.
7. Stick a real apple stem or stem from a leaf into the 1/4 inch indentation.
8. With a pencil, carve your name and date into the bottom of the apple.
9. Let sit overnight.
10. When clay is completely dry, paint the apple (red, apple green or yellow).
11. Let dry overnight.
12. When paint is dry, shellac the apple to give it a glossy shine.
13. Wrap the apple in cellophane and a ribbon.