Gingerbread Turkey

Difficulty:

Category: Other

Type of item: Home Decor

For: Unisex

Style: Whimsical, Holiday

Materials

Gingerbread, royal icing, glass doll eyes, fruit roll up (for the wattle)

What was your inspiration?

I wanted to expand gingerbreading to other holidays and felt that a Thanksgiving turkey centerpiece could take advantage of the natural brown color of gingerbread. I assembled the turkey in pieces, pressing designs into the different pieces (by using clay sculpting tools and knives) so that each layer was slightly different in texture. Eventually I mounted the turkey on baked clay feet and set it on a straw-covered styrofoam base.

What are you most proud of?

I was most proud of the fact it actually made an charming centerpiece ;)

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

I always overbake gingerbread to be used in projects to give it added stability (I don't recommend eating my projects). The body of the bird was cut from a dinner plate and the rest of the pieces were freehand. Keep your design simple and make the detail work (texture, color) the most interesting parts.