Steps to Make a Custom Bobblehead by Yourself

Isn’t it cute when you see small, miniature figurines moving their bobbleheads back and forth? Well, it definitely is, and we are pretty sure of the fact that many of you spent your childhoods collecting these custom bobbleheads. But, guess what? Now is the time that you can get your very own personalized bobblehead, at extremely reasonable prices. Yes, you read it right, and, well, custom bobbleheads are, right now, considered to be the hottest products in the market, because, let’s face it—who wouldn’t love the idea of having his very own bobblehead that can do a lot more than just sitting on a desk?

Honestly, if you are someone who is tired of boring gifts like aftershave, journals, and photo frames, then you need to opt for custom bobbleheads, because they make a very entertaining and interesting gift. Moreover, we are sure of the fact that if you gift someone a customized bobblehead, they will never be able to forget your precious and unique gift. So, if there is a special event coming up for your special someone, then, yes, you need to order online now.

For starters, the process is easy. In fact, all you need to do is to upload a picture, choose the body you want, and there you go. Some makers may ask you to select hair, eyes, and skin color online, but that is not necessary. You can choose "base on my photo," then all is done.

Have you thought of making a custom bobblehead yourself? Here are the details you may be interested in.

Materials and tools

1. White polymer clay
2. Acrylic paints
3. Artist's paintbrushes
4. 20-gauge wire
5. 24-gauge wire
6. Aluminum foil
7. Epoxy glue
8. Wooden base
9. Oven
10. Pliers
11. Wire cutters
12. Photos of person to be sculpted
13. Drill

Steps

1. Study the selected pictures, and determine the features that depict his or her character
2. With wire cutters, cut a piece of 20-gauge wire for the feet, legs, and hips. Bend the wire into a "U" shape with pliers
3. Wrap the lower body wire with aluminum foil. Wrap the foil at the bottom of the legs with 24-gauge wire
4. Condition the polymer clay by kneading it with your fingers until it's soft and pliable. Cover the aluminum foil on the lower body with the clay, smoothing it with your fingers
5. Drill two small holes into a purchased oval wooden base positioned at the same width as the wires in the feet. Place the foot wires in the holes to hold the figure while sculpting
6. Cut a piece of 20-gauge wire for the body, and push it vertically into the clay portion of the lower body. Cover it with conditioned clay, shaping the torso, neck, and shoulders
7. Sculpt shoes for the figure with two balls of clay. Remove the figure from the wooden base, and insert the feet wire through each shoe. Glue the feet into the drilled holes in the wooden base with epoxy glue
8. Sculpt the clothing details in the clay with a craft knife and a needle tool
9. Sculpt arms and hands from clay, and attach them to the shoulders
10. Make an enlarged head from a ball of clay. Referring to the photos, sculpt the facial features, hair, and ears with clay-sculpting tools
11. Bake the head and body in a 250-degree oven for an hour. Remove from the oven
12. Paint the body and head with acrylic paints and artist's brushes. Detail such features as eyes, lip color, cheeks, freckles, buttons, and shoelaces.
13. Create a spring to place on top of the neck by cutting a double length of wire, folding it in half, and twisting it together with pliers
14. Wrap the twisted wire around a pen
15. Cover the ends of the twisted wire with polymer clay, and epoxy one end of the spring to the top of the neck
16. Drill the inside of the bobble head to hollow it out enough that the head balances well on the spring
17. Place the bobblehead on top of the spring, and glue it with epoxy
18. Add embellishments such as earrings made of wire, or a flower made of polymer clay and wire

Making a bobblehead look like the one in photo is not easy. Sometimes, you may need professional help; artists at Crebobble.com are always glad to give you some useful suggestions. If you only want a gift, just order online. I think of a bobblehead as a great gift that anyone would love to own. Who wouldn’t like a mini-version of themselves greeting them with a friendly nod all the time?