"Rattley Ladybug"

 

Level: Intermediate
Duration: Short (1-2 hrs)
Materials needed: 5 lbs. of low fire 
white moist clay, Small oval hump
(CPI HP04) one yard of canvas, 
8.5 x 11 paper, XL rolling pin, 
Sandbag (place one cup of play sand 
into handkerchief and tie to close), 
wooden fettling knife, small round 
sponge, various shades of underglaze.

 
Plaster forms and tools can be successfully used
to create imaginative and unique clay pieces.
Because of the absorbent nature of plaster, clay
can be depressed into highly detailed sprig molds
and lifted from the mold without sticking. Minute
details can be successfully transferred from plaster
 to clay. The absorbent plaster forms help to assure
an even and timely draw of moisture from the clay
body, limiting cracks and sticking.  Convex plaster
forms are known as "hump molds" while concave
plaster forms are known as "slump molds". Plaster
forms help even the first time student create clay
hand building projects with fantastic results!  
Dan's Ladybug.JPG (74070 bytes)
Step 1: Roll out a 9” x 9” slab of clay.
Step 2: Drape slab over hump (HP07) pounce clay around hump with sand bag.
Step 3: Trim excess clay around the base of hump. Clean with damp sponge.
Step 4: Allow clay to get leather hard and lift clay from hump.
Step 5: Set the clay on a 8” x 8” slab and trim around the base of the shell.
Step 6: Roll 4 or 5 pea-sized balls, wrap in paper towel and put them under the shell to make rattle.
Step 7: Score & attach bottom to shell with slip.
Step 8: Trim excess clay around bottom edge. Clean with damp sponge.
Step 9:  Draw line for head and wings.
Step 10: Roll small balls & flatten for spots and eyes. Roll small coil for lips.
Step 11: Roll six quarter-sized balls for feet. Score and attach with slip.
Step 12: Allow to dry completely before firing.
 
The moist clay used in the projects featured is a moist low fire (cone 06-04) white clay, 
available from most ceramic/pottery suppliers. This clay body when fired to cone 04,
can be painted with any glaze currently used on standard bisque ware