- 1). Determine what type of map you would like to create. Identify all of the elements that need to be mapped, as well as the region or space needed to map these elements. For example, a map showing farmer's markets in a city should be the large enough to represent the entire city.
- 2). Create a base for the map with a piece of foam core. Cut the foam core to represent that scaled size of the region you plan to map. Add an additional four inches to right side of the foam core for a place to add a map legend and any additional information to explain the map.
- 3). Paint the foam core a base color. This color might show through in parts of the map, so use a base color you don't mind seeing. Distinguish the right side panel for the legend and information using a different color that's complementary to the base color.
- 4). Begin to indicate areas on the map that need to be raised or distinguished. Draw the areas using a pencil thin line on the piece of foam core. Once completed, lay a piece of tracing paper on top of the area, tracing the lines. This will be used as a template to begin cutting the modeling clay.
- 5). Roll out a thin layer of modeling clay in the color you would like to add to the map. If you're mapping farmer's markets in a city, think about creating each neighborhood as a different color, then applying a layer using icons for things listed on the legend.
- 6). Lay the tracing paper on top of the thin layer of modeling clay and trace along the line, creating a slight indentation in the clay. Remove the tracing paper from the clay and cut along the indented line. Take the piece and situate it on the base map. Continue this process until all the pieces have been created. Use modeling clay that is the same thickness.
- 7). Once the entire region has been created, begin to locate main roads and freeways, creating indentations in the clay on the map.
- 8). Add a final layer to the map such as farmer's markets using icons to identify their locations. For a farmer's market, an apple, or bushel basket might be an appropriate symbol.
- 9). Add information to the legend identifying the meaning of colors and icons.
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