Welcoming Cat Sculpture

crayola supplies

Super Tips Washable Markers
Model Magic®
Glitter Glue

household supplies

none

Why

Create a hospitable feline of Model Magic® in the Japanese style. Discover the tradition behind this appealing figurine that welcomes guests.

Steps

1. Do you like to eat in Japanese restaurants? You may have noticed in stores or restaurants owned by Japanese people a statue of a cat waving you to come inside. Maneki Neko is the name of this welcoming cat. The figure has been a popular sentinel for more than 200 years.
2. Roll a large handful of white Crayola Model Magic into a ball and shape it into an upright cat's body. Attach two short coils to the body for back legs. Attach another coil as a front leg to help balance the cat. Shape a fourth coil into the raised front leg with bent paw. Air dry 24 hours.
3. With Crayola Fine Line Markers, draw the cat's yellow eyes, red ears, and whiskers, claws, and perhaps brown and black spots. Add a colorful collar.
4. Sometimes the welcoming cat holds gold or silver coins in its front paw. Use Crayola Glitter Glue to add the sparkling gold or silver highlights. Air dry.
5. Place your Maneki Neko on a windowsill or shelf where people enter your house or room. Your little ambassador will welcome your company.

When & Where

"This little cat has become our official hostess gift. Everyone is happy to display it in their front hallway."
- Della B., mom of 10-, 11-, and 15-year olds.

"My son wondered if a bigger cat would bring more luck to our house. He sculpted one that's life-sized!"
- Zeke J., dad of 12-year-old.

Interesting Info

It is said that long ago a Japanese restaurant displayed a silver cat figurine. A competitor then displayed a gold cat statue. This competition attracted many customers to their businesses. Soon others who wanted to encourage the same good luck and success began to put similar waving cats in their windows.

Safety Guidelines

Glitter Glue— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.