DIY Life

Some of my favorite projects are born of necessity. I just happened to need something to spruce up a gift for my brother, an avid gamer. So instead of a cheesy card or clumsy letter I created a "handmade" Wiimote from Crayola's Model Magic clay.

If you've ever used Model Magic you know it isn't so much a clay as soft foam. It hardens over a few hours, and is terribly resistant to detail like square edges. Our cat happens to love to eat the stuff too, which means all MM projects go into a box. Anyway, this craft couldn't be simpler, and shows what you can do with very simple materials. My bag of Model Magic was actually over 5 years old! But it was white and available. I also used a red fine-tip permanent marker, a fine-tip blue pen, a fine-tip black pen and a regular permanent (Sharpie) marker.


Whatever lump you wish to start with will determine how large your remote will be. I started with a 2-inch Wiimote, but the next two I made were a little over 1 inch. Essentially you make a snake and, using a small flat object, press into an acceptable rectangular box shape.

You'll want to use a thumb and forefinger to squish flat about half the Wiimote, for the portion that makes up the B-button underside. Again take the small flat object (I used a coaster) to flatten and square the edges as best you can.

Once the body is done, take a smaller chunk and make a simple B button underneath, pressing to affix it. Take two small chunks, roll into teeny little snakes, then flatten and arrange into the plus sign for the 4-way controller on the top of the Wiimote. While you tend to wind up with pointy ends, you can pinch them with your nails to make the plus a little nicer. All you have left are the markings.

I use the red pen for the power button, the black fine-tip for marking the 4-way controller, and a permanent marker for the front IR panel and most other buttons. The four blue LED's at the bottom are done using a fine-tip blue marker, and quickly jabbing the surface. This creates depth while depositing some blue color.

A nunchuck is optional, but pretty easy to fashion with two small chunks of foam. Bonus points if you have some white thread to connect them, or to make a strap. I didn't bother, but those are just a zillion ways to make this better (personally I wish I had time to embed a real LED inside the thing).

This little rig is going inside a much bigger box-- one full of gaming books. I'm creating a false bottom so it looks like the only thing in the box is this silly "handmade" Wiimote. Of course, I had to make two more for the kids here at the house. All of this from an old sample pack of Model Magic.

Little touches like trees, bells and gingerbread men are easy with this stuff. Just be sure to make time for it to dry, and beware cats or dogs who like to chew!