The Beginning
of the Mess
This was my very first attempt using air-dry clay—and where I officially learned that clay has a mind of its own. The plan was simple: make a cute little pumpkin. The result? Cracks, lumps, and a paint job that looked like it was done during an earthquake. But this piece became the starting point for everything that came after, from ghost experiments to figuring out patience (and sanding).
The Learning Curve
I started by shaping the pumpkin by hand, using foil underneath for support and carving the ridges while it was still soft. The clay dried unevenly, which caused it to split and warp in ways I didn’t expect—but every mistake taught me something about timing, thickness, and structure. This was trial-and-error at its finest.
Cracks and "Character"
Painting this pumpkin was both the best and worst part. The orange didn’t layer like I hoped, the stem looked like melted chocolate, and the vines refused to behave. But by the end, it had personality—scrappy, imperfect, and completely mine. It may not look polished, but it has the kind of charm you can only get from your first failed success.
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This little pumpkin reminds me that learning something new means letting go of perfection. It cracked, it peeled, and it taught me everything I needed to know to keep going. Every ghost and sculpture that followed started right here—with this gloriously flawed, lumpy masterpiece.