Whimsical Work

I'm about to start packing up my studio and office to get ready for my move to New York (Colin got a new job) but before I do that, I wanted to make one more batch of work for my shop.  Apparently I needed to make fun & silly pieces right now.

Forming the shell

I decided to start with some stoneware snails.  The first step in making these is to form their shell.  I roll a ball of clay and then flatten the back by gently tapping it with a wood block.

Carving the shell

I set the shell aside for a few minutes so it can dry just a tad.  I then go back and carve my spiral design into each side.

Forming a wire antenna

While the shell continues to dry, I cut and form some little antennae from high-fire wire. 

Almost a snail

The body is then formed from another piece of clay, rolled into a log and then shaped further.  The antennae are then inserted on top of the head.

Oh My!

My favorite part is giving each snail their eyes and silly expression!

Scoring the shell

Once the body is finished, it is time to attach the shell.  I score the bottom of the shell and the top of the snail, add a bit of water and gently press them together.

Greenware Snail

And here he is prior to any clean-up with a sponge.  After he gets sponged, he'll be bisque-fired, glazed and then final-fired.  I can't wait to see how he turns out.  

Little Buggy Face

I also made a little buggy face guy.  Wish I had time to make more of these before the move!

And then there were these ridiculous things...

Funny Face Wearing Underpants

I decided it was about time I gave my funny face beads some bodies.  This guy is wearing some underpants and slippers!  I'll fill in their joints with beads so that they aren't stumpy when they come to life.

Funny Face With T-Shirt

And this guy is wearing a t-shirt!  I think they'll make fun ornaments but if I can make them a bit smaller, they might even work as pendants for people that want to let their silly show!

I'll finish these pieces up during the week, list what I can in my Etsy and then pack up the studio and get ready to move!

Happy Beading!

Stoneware Snowflakes Part 1

Every year I make Christmas ornaments for my family.  This year, I decided to make snowflakes out of speckled brown stoneware.

This first thing I do is make the wire loops for the top and bottom of each snowflake.  One for attaching a ribbon and one for hanging crystals (bling bling!).  I use high-fire wire and the back of a paintbrush to make consistent loops.

  I then condition a chunk of clay and pinch a piece off.  I like to use random-sized pieces so that the snowflakes are all different (just like real ones).  Then I roll the clay into a ball.

I place the ball of clay onto the vintage batik stamp and squish it down using a wood block (the back of a rubber stamp).

Once I remove the clay from the batik stamp, I gently flatten it again with the wood block and then slide the wire loops into place.

After the snowflakes have dried, I apply a tiny bit of water and carve my initials and the year into the back of each piece.

The next step will be to bisque fire all of them.  Then they'll get glazed and fired again.  Once that is complete, I'll cut some pretty ribbon and wire-wrap some crystals to dangle from the bottom.  In a week or so, I'll show you how they look.

Are you making ornaments this year?

Diana P.
Suburban Girl Studio LLC