Crafting the Occamy in a Teapot

The Occamy is one of my favourite magical creatures from the Fantastic Beasts series, and I wanted to capture it (pun intended 😝). This whimsical creation was designed to make it look like the Occamy had been trapped mid-escape, its head curiously peeking out from the spout of a teapot.

Sculpting the Occamy’s head was a meticulous process. I focused on intricate details, from the delicate curve of its beak to its scaled features. Knowing I wanted to create multiples of this piece in different teapots or scenarios, I decided to make a mold of the head. This allowed me to cast my creation repeatedly while maintaining the intricate details of the original sculpture.

The teapot itself was a lucky thrift store find, adding a unique charm to the piece. Its elegant design contrasts beautifully with the wildness of the creature. Together, they create a piece that feels both magical and unexpected, blending found treasures with intricate artistry.

I brought the Occamy to many markets as a showpiece, but it was actually adopted at my latest market! I am thrilled that it has found a loving home, and I look forward to creating more Occamys in unexpected settings.

3 Tips for Crafting Your Own Occamy in a Teapot

1. Think about scale and proportion. When designing the Occamy’s head, consider the scale of the teapot. The head should feel proportional to the teapot's size, as if it truly belongs there. A head that’s too large or too small can disrupt the illusion of the creature being captured mid-escape.

2. Plan for Seamless Connections. When sculpting the head, think about how it’s going to attach to the body you create. I ended up creating a groove that I inserted within the body to secure them together. This was important in making the head look more seamless to the body.

3. Use iridescent finishes for a magical effect. To capture the shimmering scales of the Occamy, layer metallic and iridescent paints. Build up the colors gradually for a realistic, otherworldly glow.