Creating a Feathered Hedgehog

At the Bournemouth Arts Festival, Gabriel and I were handed a lump of wet clay with a simple challenge: use only what we could find in the park to make a hedgehog. It sounded like fun, but we weren’t sure how to turn a plain piece of clay into something resembling a hedgehog.

We set off on our scavenger hunt, searching for materials. Soon, Gabriel spotted a few small downy feathers scattered on the ground. Not quite hedgehog spikes, but perfect in their own way! We also found little bits of bark that would make great ears. With our "natural supplies" gathered, it was time to shape our hedgehog.

Gabriel and I carefully molded the clay, shaping a small round body and a little snout. We placed the feathers along the back, giving it a soft, feathery look instead of the usual spiky appearance. The tiny pieces of bark made the perfect ears, and we were delighted with how it all came together. Instead of looking prickly and rough, our hedgehog turned out cute, cuddly, and completely unique.

Once we were done, we proudly carried our little creation home, and it now has a special spot on the kitchen windowsill. Every time we look at it, we remember that fun afternoon, turning simple clay and a few feathers into something memorable. Our feathered hedgehog might not have real spikes, but it has plenty of charm!