Stoneware Clay Butterfly Bowl

How to make a distinctive stoneware butterfly bowl.

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Filed under: Pottery, How To, Glazing, Polymer Clay, Crafts

Project by Mark L. Runnals from Bradenton, Fla.

Mark's fascination with pottery began in high school when students were given the opportunity to teach themselves on an available wheel. The instructor overseeing the program obviously saw a special gift in Mark because before long, Mark was teaching other students the tricks of the trade.

Materials:

potter's wheel
clay
water
sponges
sandpaper
plastic bags
ribbon carving tools
paintbrushes
mixed or premixed glazes
kiln

Steps:

1. Toss clay on spinning wheel and pull bowl shape.

2. Place in plastic bag and allow to dry down. Let dry for several hours.

3. Remove from plastic bag and pry loose from plaster bat.

4. Flip upside down and tool bottom of bowl with carving tools.

5. Remove from wheel and flip back over.

6. Carve bowl with metal ribbon carving tools and draw butterfly and caterpillar designs to be carved.

7. Brush with damp sponge to smooth out the edges.

8. Set aside to dry for several days.

9. After several days, place dry clay bowl in kiln and bisque fire to cone 06.

10. After bisque firing, remove bowl from kiln and glaze as you like. Glazing can be done by brushing on, pouring or spraying. Glaze interior and exterior of bowl with different color glazes.

11. Place glazed bowl in kiln and fire to cone 8 approximately 12 hours.

E-mail: mrunnals@netzero.com