Step 1

Start by making the shells. Take two balls of modelling clay about 1.5 cm to 2 cm across.

Step 2

Flatten these into discs and then pinch one edge to make the shell shape. Then using your thumb make the shells into a curved shape, so you can put the body in the middle.

Step 3

Decorate the outside of each shell using the toothpick or tool drawing lines from the pinched end to the outer edge.

Step 4

Now make the body by taking a 1.5 cm ball of orange modelling clay, and flatten this so it will sit inside one of the sides of the shell.

Step 5

Place the body inside one of the shells, then place the other side on top joining them at the pinched edge.

Step 6

Complete your cockle by drawing a line around the body with a toothpick and small ‘ticks’ to show the tentacles. You can add the neon paint here to show how the cockle feeds on small particles.