Crafting A Piggy Bank: Diy Guide For Beginners

how do you make a piggy bank

Piggy banks are a fun way to save money and they can be easily made at home. There are several ways to create a homemade piggy bank, and they can be constructed from readily available materials such as plastic bottles, jars, paper mache, or even books. Making a piggy bank is a great way to encourage kids to save money and can also be a fun craft activity for people of all ages. In this discussion, we will explore different methods for creating unique and personalised piggy banks.

Characteristics Values
Materials Mason jar, spaghetti sauce jar, newspaper, brown paper bags, butcher paper, balloon, flour paste, cardboard, book box, acrylic paint, pipe cleaner, egg carton, glue
Tools Box cutter, scissors, hot glue gun
Process Remove labels from jar, cut coin slot in lid, papier-mâché balloon, attach legs and nose with egg carton sections, decorate, let glue set
Variations Use a pre-cut slot lid, decorate with washi tape and stickers, make a book-shaped piggy bank

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Use a jar

Using a jar is a great way to make a piggy bank. You can use a mason jar, or if you don't have one, a spaghetti sauce jar will work just as well. The first step is to wash out the jar thoroughly and remove any labels. You can do this by peeling off as much of the label as possible with your fingers, then using a sponge and some soap to scrub away the remaining paper. Once the jar is clean, let it dry for 15-20 minutes.

Now it's time to decorate your jar! You can paint the jar, wrap it in washi tape, or even use stickers. If you want to paint your jar like a rainbow, start by painting it white and letting each coat dry before adding another. Once the white paint is dry, you can add the colours of the rainbow or any other design you like. You could also use spray paint to add colour to your jar and lid. If you want to add a phrase or word to your jar, you can cut it out of vinyl and place it on the jar before spraying. Just remember to remove the vinyl before the paint dries.

Once your jar is decorated, it's time to make the coin slot. You can use a box cutter to cut a 1-inch (2.5 cm) slit in the lid, making sure it's big enough for the largest coin you plan to put in the piggy bank. If you don't want to use a box cutter, you can buy a lid with a pre-cut slot from your local craft store. Alternatively, you can cut a circle of coloured paper the same size as the lid, cut a slit in the middle, and laminate it to make it sturdier.

Finally, you can add a layer of Mod Podge to protect the jar from damage and let it dry for 24 hours before using your new piggy bank! Don't forget to attach a label to the side of the jar and keep it in a safe location. Now you can start saving your coins and watching your money grow!

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Cut a coin slot

If you're making a piggy bank out of a jar, you'll need to cut a coin slot in the lid. First, decide what size of coin you want to be able to fit through the slot, and cut a hole that's slightly larger. You can use a box cutter to make the incision—if you don't feel comfortable using a box cutter, you can buy a lid with a pre-cut slot from a craft store.

If you're using a book box from a craft store to make your piggy bank, cut a slot in the top of the box. You can line it with washi tape to make it look nicer and to ensure that the edges aren't sharp. If you're making a piggy bank out of a hardcover book, you'll need to hollow out the book and line it with cardboard. Then, add a piece of cardboard with a slot at the top.

If you're using a balloon to papier-mâché your piggy bank, you'll need to cut a coin slot in the balloon before you start. Make sure the slot is large enough to fit the biggest coin you want to put in your piggy bank. You can use a box cutter or scissors to make the incision. Once you've cut the slot, you can start papier-mâchéing the balloon.

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Decorate the jar

Decorating your jar is a fun and creative process, and there are many ways to go about it. Before you start, ensure your jar is clean and dry, with any labels removed. You can use soap and water to scrub off any labels, then let the jar air dry.

One idea is to use decorative tape, such as colourful washi tape, and wrap it around the jar. You can then add stickers to the parts of the jar not covered by tape. This is a simple and effective way to decorate your jar and make it unique.

If you want to get crafty, you could try papier-mâché. Blow up a balloon to your desired size, then papier-mâché it. You can use newspaper or brown paper bags, or even butcher paper. Tear the paper into squares, wet them with flour paste, and apply them to the balloon. This will create a unique structure for your piggy bank. You can also add legs and a nose to your creation using a paper egg carton and a low-heat hot glue gun.

Once you've created your structure, you can paint it with spray or acrylic paint. You can also add accessories, like a tail made from a pink pipe cleaner. If you want to keep it simple, you could just paint your jar with your chosen colours and designs.

Another option is to use a hardcover book. Hollow out the book and line it with cardboard. Cut a slot at the top, then decorate the book however you like. This method allows you to hide your piggy bank in plain sight on a bookshelf.

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Papier-mâché a balloon

One way to make a piggy bank is to papier-mâché a balloon. First, blow up a balloon to the size you want your piggy bank to be. Tie the balloon off when it reaches your desired size. It doesn’t matter what colour the balloon is, as it will be removed later and won't be visible.

Next, prepare the papier-mâché. Crumple and uncrumple some newspaper and brown paper bags to help the glue soak into the paper more thoroughly. Tear the paper into 1-inch squares. You can also use butcher paper. Wet both sides of the pieces of paper with a flour paste and apply them to the balloon. Ensure that there is enough paste on the paper for it to stick, but not so much that it's dripping.

Once the papier-mâché is completely dry, pop the balloon and remove it from the inside of the piggy bank. Widen the bottom hole of the papier-mâché to a diameter of about 2-3 inches. You can use this hole to pull the balloon out. Throw the balloon away.

Now, you can decorate your piggy bank. Cut out four legs and a nose from a paper egg carton. Attach them to the piggy bank using a low-heat hot glue gun. Place the four legs on the side opposite the coin slot and the nose in the middle of the side you've chosen to be the front. Allow the glue to set for 30 minutes before continuing.

Finally, paint the body of the piggy bank with spray or acrylic paint. Make a tail by twisting a pink pipe cleaner into a spiral and gluing it to the bottom of the pig.

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Add legs and a nose

Now it's time to add some features that will really make your piggy bank come to life! Here's how you can make legs and a nose for your ceramic pig:

Cut four small cylindrical shapes from the remaining clay for the legs. They should be proportional to the size of your piggy bank. Gently flatten one side of each cylinder to create a surface that will attach to the body. Score and apply slip to both the flattened side of the legs and the corresponding areas on the body where you want the legs to go. Gently press and hold the legs in place. Use your clay-shaping tools to blend the legs into the body seamlessly. You can score and add small pieces of clay to create hooves for the piggy bank's feet if you like.

For the nose, shape a small cone from the clay, ensuring one end is pointed. Score and apply slip to the blunt end of the cone and the corresponding area on the pig's face where you want the nose to be. Hold the nose in place for a few moments to ensure it adheres properly. Use your clay-shaping tools to refine the shape of the nose and blend it smoothly into the face. You can add nostrils by carefully poking two small holes on the sides of the nose using a thin tool or a toothpick.

If you're using air-dry clay, allow the legs and nose to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. If you're using a kiln-fired clay, let the piece dry thoroughly before bisque firing it according to the clay manufacturer's instructions. After firing, you can proceed to the glazing process. Choose a glaze color that complements the body color of your piggy bank. Carefully apply the glaze to the legs and nose, making sure not to glaze the areas that will be attached to the body, as this will ensure a strong bond when fired. Fire the piece again according to the glaze manufacturer's instructions.

For a polymer clay piggy bank, bake the piece according to the manufacturer's instructions to cure the legs and nose attachment securely. Remember to follow the appropriate curing instructions for the specific type of polymer clay you are using, as temperatures and durations may vary. Once the legs and nose are securely attached and cured, you can add additional details with paint or other decorative elements.

Remember to refer to your initial sketch or inspiration for guidance on the style and placement of the legs and nose. Feel free to add your own creative touches to make your piggy bank unique. This could include adding textures to the legs or creating a curly tail to give your pig even more character. Enjoy bringing your ceramic piggy bank to life!

Frequently asked questions

You can use a mason jar, spaghetti sauce jar, or a book box from a craft store. Alternatively, you can make a piggy bank out of papier-mâché using a balloon, newspaper, brown paper bags, and flour paste.

First, thoroughly wash the jar and remove any labels with soap and water. Let the jar dry, then cut a coin slot in the lid using a box cutter. You can decorate the jar with washi tape and stickers, or paint it.

First, blow up a balloon to the size you want your piggy bank to be. Then, papier-mâché the balloon using the newspaper or brown paper bags soaked in flour paste. Cut a coin slot in the top and attach legs and a nose using a low-heat hot glue gun. Decorate your piggy bank with paint and accessories, such as a twisted pipe cleaner for a tail.

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