Eye-catching Elmo

Elmo is perhaps the most famous personality which every Singaporean child would ever know because there are so many Elmo merchandises. "Tickle Me Elmo" is an example. He currently hosts the last full segment on Sesame Street, titled Elmo's World, which is aimed at toddlers.

His puppeteer is Kevin Clash, who uses falsetto to produce his voice.

Why is he so famous? Is it because he is so eye-catching, all decked in the primary colour which screams "Hot"? Is it because to the Asian eye, Red is so traditionally outstanding? Is it culturally, subconsciously an object of desire which makes the patriotic blood boil with pride at a feverish level?

Take a look at this tableau, all made by yours truly, in Air-Dry Clay. Does Elmo stand out ever so prominently? You tell me.





FYI, Elmo is the only Muppet ever to testify before the U.S. Congress. At the request and with the assistance of Rep. Duke Cunningham, he testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education in April 2002, urging support for increased funding in music education. [Source for this:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmo]

Groovy Grover

Grover in different languages:

In Germany his name is Grobi, a possible diminutive of the German grob, meaning "rough" or "rude".
In Portugal he is Gualter (Walter).
In Spain he is called Coco.
In Latin America and Puerto Rico, he is known as Archibaldo.
In Brazil he is known as Arquibaldo, although recent broadcasts retain the name Grover.
In Norway, he is known as Gunnar.
In Egypt, he is called Antar.
In Israel, he is called Kruvi, which is a play on the word kruv ("cabbage").
In the Netherlands and Sweden, on the other hand, he remains Grover.

C is for COOKIE MONSTER!!!

[picture: Jumping Clay Cookie Monster]

Cookie Monster made his Sesame Street debut in the first episode, interfering with Kermit the Frog's "famous W lecture" by eating a model "W" bit by bit. He turns it into an "N", a "V", and finally an "I", to Kermit's frustration. He then tries to eat Kermit.

In his early appearances on the show, Cookie Monster seemed somewhat scary to younger viewers, as he personified the childhood fear of "being eaten by a monster".However, this fearsome image did not last long, and Cookie Monster quickly became one of the most popular and beloved characters on the show.Cookie Monster's theme song, "C is for Cookie", is one of the most famous songs from Sesame Street.

O Oscar!!!

"Don't bang on my can! Go away!"
(Oscar is made of Jumping Clay - Can is made of tin, coloured)


The Thrash-lover with the other Thrash-lover




According to Sesame Street Unpaved, "The character of Oscar was inspired by a nasty waiter from a restaurant called Oscar's Tavern in Manhattan. Jim Henson and Jon Stone were waited on by a man who was so rude and grouchy that he surpassed annoying and started to actually amuse both Jim and Jon. They were so entertained that going to Oscar's Tavern became a sort of masochistic form of luncheon entertainment for them, and their waiter forever became immortalized as the world's most famous
Grouch."

(Source:http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Oscar_the_Grouch)

All about KERMIT

Would you believe it if you know that Kermit the FROG first appeared in 1955? In addition, information has it that the prototype Kermit was created from a green ladies' coat that Henson's mother had thrown into a refuse bin, and two ping pong balls for eyes. Also, the creator added his collar at the time to make him seem more froglike and to conceal the seam between his head and body.

Kermit is one of puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous and beloved creations, which was why Kermit was performed by Henson until his death in 1990. Since then he has been performed by Steve Whitmire. He was voiced by Frank Welker in Muppet Babies and occasionally in animation.

Kermit was a regular character on Sesame Street throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The roles played by Kermit:

1. Lecturer (an easily frustrated one)
2. News reporter for Sesame Street News.
3. Stage Manager (Muppet Show)

Jim Henson once claimed that Kermit's job on the Muppet Show was much like his own: "trying to get a bunch of crazies to actually get the job done." It was on this show that the running joke of Kermit being pursued by leading lady Miss Piggy developed .


The various songs he sang on Sesame Street tended to be meaningful in nature, most memorably his song "Bein' Green". I personally like "The Rainbow Connection" of course.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermit_the_Frog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kermit the Frog

Of the many puppets in Sesame Street, Kermit must be one the many outstanding ones because he is given a very important role: One who holds the mike must be very important right? He is also given an evergreen song for us to remember him by, and i absolutely love the lyrics. I also like my Jumping Clay likeness of Kermit. Do you like it?

I hope you'll like both the Clay one as well as the beautiful Youtube video of the Green One singing...

Sesame Street Sublime

As far as i could remember when i was growing up, i looked forward to every single episode of Sesame Street every Saturday noon. On my b/w TV, followed by the colour TV, the puppets have followed kids like me into 2008. I remember the counting to 10 and then the Alphabet songs and of course these lovable and adorable characters. To make them into Jumping Clay is proof and testimony of their everlasting durability.

These 6 characters are the famous personalities on this familiar street scene which i have created. Looks like the actual set ? ;-) From left to right, Oscar, Kermit, Elmo, Grover, Big Bird and Cookie Monster!

All Things Penguin

Of all the things i like to do using Jumping Clay, Penguins are one of my favourite. I have a tremendous liking and affiliation with Penguins sice young. The first object i drew when my mother enrolled me into an Art Class run by the then Outram Park CC was, guess what? A PENGUIN! It's easy to draw and the clours are contrasting.

Doing it in Jumping Clay is fun too as it allows you to put on the penguins a choice of colours and poses, as well as moods.

"Penguin keychains" - Done by two girls from Raffles Girls Primary School



"Gone Fishing" - Can be customized.
For Price enquiry, Call 96625929.

Air-Dry Clay Class ~ Tanglin Special School

The students of my clay class have seen improvement over the months as they tried out a Korean brand of air-dry clay. These students really like the activity as they come week after week, making object after object. I'm glad they enjoy the hobby.
Some mastered the basics at a faster rate and they are challenged to produce products for sale while the beginners find satisfaction in making something they are happy with in class. All projects will be displayed and i hope they derive a sense of achievement when they see their works being displayed.
(middle picture - Ching Xiu making an Oreo for sale)

Talking about commitment - Whenever i arrive at the school, helpful Jason, a boy not from my clay class but from another class, will greet my at the car porch and help me to bring the things into the classroom. I'm proud of him and his sense of duty. Thank you Jason!

Right now, the teacher-in-charge, Mrs Hong, and myself are preparing for the year end sale, which will see fund-raising being done for the school. Of course, the most important is still the sense of achievement for the 20 over kids. Sometimes, a parent volunteer, Helen, will come and chip in and help out with managing the kids as well.