1. First, you need a box of FLAT toothpicks. It's easier to glue toothpicks with flat surfaces so avoid the round kind.
2. Second, you need a bottle of Elmer's glue-all, or anything similar. I hope you know what I mean, the white glue that you always used in elementary school for art projects.
3. Third, you need a steady hand. Actually, you can still get by without this. If you have trembling hands, you can always rest an elbow on the table and that gives your arm more stability. Sometimes when I'm working on a particularly dainty sculpture, I will stabilize one arm with the other arm. You can also make a pile of books to lean your arm against.
To make a toothpick sculpture, simply glue the toothpicks together! It's that easy. Well, it's easy if you follow these basic guidelines:
***Less glue is better. The big secret is to remember to only use a very small amount of glue when you stick two toothpicks together.
***Sticking two toothpicks together: Put a small glob of glue (about the size of a dime) onto a piece of scratch paper; you'll use this glob to dip your toothpicks into. Take a toothpick and just barely dip the end of it into the glue. (Remember, too much glue and it will take too long to dry.) Now, stick the glue-covered tip against another toothpick. After holding it firmly for a few seconds you can gingerly release the toothpick and it will hold. You may have to experiment until you learn how much glue is too much and how much is too little. But once you get the hang of it, you're on your way!
***One toothpick at a time. Just like you'd eat an elephant one bite at a time, you create a toothpick sculpture one toothpick at a time. Have fun experimenting and if you discover any good sculpting techniques please email me!
HAPPY TOOTHPICK SCULPTURING!
