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