| Making large objects from clay takes a
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| | they can easily break.
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| lot of patience, sweat and dexterity, but
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| | Painting
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| making tiny pieces of jewellery can be
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| | This requires good eyesight for the fine
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| another challenge altogether. For those
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| | details and a steady hand. Under glazes
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| of you who have decided to venture off
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| | are the only type of colour to use as
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| into this delicate art form, here's a few
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| | they can withstand the high temperature
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| tips to get you started and keep you on
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| | of firing. The only drawback is that you
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| the path to making some fine, wearable
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| | cannot see the exact colour until the
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| pieces you can be proud of.
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| | final firing, so this will take some
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| List of Supplies:
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| | trial and error.
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| Small sponge
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| | Use a fine, sable watercolour brush and
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| Wooden rolling pin
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| | add one colour at a time to build up to
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| Hole cutter
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| | the final picture. For those who have
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| Cutting wire
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| | taken any watercolour or oil painting
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| Pottery knife
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| | classes, the same techniques apply going
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| Fine sable watercolour brushes
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| | from light to dark.
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| Metal findings (for earrings and
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| | Firing and Glazes
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| brooches)
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| | Now it's time to put it in the oven and
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| Face mask (for firing)
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| | wait for the glorious results. Be aware
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| Be Prepared
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| | that the fumes from firing are deadly, so
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| You want to make sure you have everything
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| | extreme caution must be used to avoid gas
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| at your finger tips so that you don't
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| | poisoning. After firing it with the
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| have to run to the store midway and come
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| | colors painted on (4 times), apply glaze
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| back to a hardened un-useable lump of
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| | on top and use a wet sponge to wipe off
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| clay. You can find supplies at most
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| | any drips at the bottom of the piece. A
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| pottery stores. Greenbarn Pottery
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| | clear glaze can be used or a mother of
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| Supplies in Surrey, BC is one of my
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| | pearl luster adds depth and brilliance. I
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| favourites.
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| | usually paint on 22K gold luster to the
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| The Right Clay for the Right Job
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| | edges, using a fine brush, however this
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| Porcelain is the best type of clay to use
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| | can be very expensive - a 10 gram bottle
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| for jewellery because of its refined
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| | is $270.
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| quality. It is smooth, pure and becomes
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| | Attachments
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| very hard after being fired at 2200
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| | It goes without saying that
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| degrees.
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| | hypo-allergenic metal is the only kind to
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| Shaping Techniques
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| | use for attachments, especially earrings,
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| It can be a fun exercise to pound away at
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| | for health reasons. Always apply your
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| your clay and throw great lumps to vent
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| | attachments after the final firing. The
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| your frustrations, but for jewellery, a
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| | best glue to use for brooches is Goop
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| more delicate touch is required.
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| | Houseware Glue. It takes 24 hours to
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| After rolling the clay to about 1/8
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| | cure.
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| inches thick, use your pre-shaped cutter
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| | Support and Reading
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| to press down and create uniform shapes,
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| | Making pottery alone in my studio is very
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| just like making cookies. Or for the more
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| | therapeutic and relaxing for me, I can
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| adventurous types, make your own shapes
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| | get very absorbed in the process.
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| using dry hands, and a small sponge to
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| | However, for those who prefer to learn
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| smooth out the edges. Using a picture for
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| | and exchange ideas in a group situation
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| reference always helps but remember to
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| | check out the Potters Guild of BC at .
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| make the pieces slightly larger to allow
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| | You will find workshops, networking
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| for shrinkage. A word of warning: thin
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| | opportunities and discussion board, all
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| shapes can be broken very easily. For
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| | very helpful for those starting out.
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| example, the thin legs of animals should
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| | A great magazine filled with pictures,
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| be avoided. For a look at some effective
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| | articles, contests and suggested reading
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| shapes, take a look at the animal pins on
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| | is Ceramics Monthly. Many potters send in
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| my website at
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| | tips they've learned along the way and
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| Making Holes
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| | it's a good magazine to see some
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| Now that you have your shapes ready, it's
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| | incredible pieces. This is meant to
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| time to put in holes for earrings,
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| | inspire, by the way. Be patient, keep
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| necklace chains or brooches. This can be
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| | practicing and before long you will be
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| done by using hole cutters of varying
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| | presenting friends and family with your
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| sizes, found at any pottery store. Don't
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| | beautiful treasured creations for many
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| make the holes too close to the edges, as
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| | special occasions to come.
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