Ceramic Scraffito Necklace

Materials:

porcelain clay
black slip
carving tool (such as dental tools)
wax resist
piercing tool
paintbrush
kiln for firing ceramic
leather cording
bead or silver finding
dough roller
plastic cup
craft knife

Steps:

1. Press out a small amount of porcelain clay about the size of a quarter with a dough or pizza roller. The thickness of the clay should be approximately 1/8 inch.

2. Place a round shape (plastic cup) about two inches in diameter on top of the clay and use a craft knife to cut out the necklace shape (figure A).

3. Use the craft knife to create a small hole, a little bigger than the size of the cording you plan to use, for the piece close to the edge (figure B).

4. Let the clay piece dry for about an hour, then apply black slip onto the medallion with a paintbrush and let dry.

5. Cover the black slip with wax resist and let dry (figure C).

6. Create a design with a carving tool by removing the slip from the piece (figure D).

7. Fire the piece in the kiln at hi-fired temperature (2350 F).

8. After the ceramic scraffito necklace has cooled, remove from the kiln. String a 24-inch leather cord through the pierced hole. Add a bead or silver finding to the cord (figure E). Tie off the ends of the leather cord to fasten the scraffito necklace.

Website: www.Houstonpotters.com