31 Jan How to Make a Clay Model of a Brazil Nut

Let’s make a clay model of a Brazil nut! As part of our homeschool handicrafts curriculum, we are working our way through the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Hermione Unwin. This is model #30, which has us halfway through the book! This seemed an impossible task when we started, so I’m pretty proud of us. If you are following along with us, creating each model along the way, I am so proud of you too! This is a process that takes commitment and a determination to get better, and that is so admirable.

What are Brazil nuts?

Brazil nuts are large, curved, wedge-like shaped nuts that are native to the Amazon rainforest. They grow on massive trees that extend up to 160 feet tall and live up to 1,000 years. The nuts grow inside a hard, coconut-like fruit called a pod that can weigh between 5 and 6 pounds. Each pod holds 10–25 wedge-shaped seeds, which are the “Brazil nuts” that we eat. Brazil nuts are the richest natural source of selenium. They are eaten raw or toasted and have a mild, buttery, slightly earthy flavor.

Materials Needed

• The book, A Manual of Clay Modelling by Hermione Unwin (or free online HERE)
• Modeling Clay (the book suggests red terra cotta clay)
• Clay modeling tools (this kit includes many tools, along with a sponge and wire to cut the clay)
• An modelling board with an armature – hopefully you’ve made this with us already
• A bowl of water
• An apron or paint shirt to protect your clothing
• Newspaper, or plastic covering to protect your table
• A brazil nut

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of a Brazil Nut

The Process

For this project, we will be using the armature, and we will be enlarging the nut to one-half of its size. The instructions direct us to Model #5 to start. This model was a piece of broken stone.

As usual, we began by making a clay slab around the armature. Once the slab was smoothed out, we built up the general shape of the Brazil nut around the armature. Once the general shape is in place, we added the defined edges of the nut by adding a strip of clay on in the direction of the edge, then smoothing it with the thumb, first along the plane on one side, and then along the plane on the other.

Now it’s time to apply texture to the nut. Make marks on the surface with the pointed end of the tool, noticing that near the edges they are lines, more or less wavy, while in the middle they are dots. Then with your finger gently rub off the markings in places, so that they are not too sharp or noticeable.

And that completes our clay model of a Brazil nut!

Are You New Here?

If you’re just finding our clay modelling handicraft series, be sure to visit our YouTube channel, Happy Handicrafts. There, you’ll find several playlists of different handicrafts. We’ve made each video with homeschool families in mind. We recognize that not all homeschool families love crafting – in fact, I know many homeschool moms who absolutely hate crafts of any sort! That’s where we come in. We are the crafty part of your village. All you need to do is go to our YouTube channel, pick a playlist that you think your children will enjoy and start with the first video. (Moms can join in too!)

I hope this helps!