HAR-BON CERAMICS & DECALS
| Butterflies by Firelight | |
| Lattice Cutout Graced with Butterflies and Roses: | |
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This project once again uses the tried and true plain cylinder mold. It is just so perfect for cut out work. Pour or order your greenware a little heavier than usual. Ask to pick it up in the "leather hard" stage, or leave in the mold overnight to reach the proper firmness. Divide the cylinder into 6 equal sections, and score with a pencil. Either freehand or use a pattern for cutting the scalloped top. Use a firm thin bladed knife to do this. |
| Cut a piece of firm paper or very light, bendable cardboard the width you would like the lattice work to be. Use the butterfly decals you intend to use for the pattern on the cylinder. Trace around them three times on each of the sides that will have the lattice. Don't press too hard as you will want to smooth it over later. Now use the pattern you have cut for the lattice work. Start by placing the pattern at the base of the cylinder pointing diagonally towards the top. Fill in the three sections by tracing the pattern, skipping over the butterfly areas. Using a thin, sharp knife carefully cut out the lattice work. Make sure you leave a tiny portion attaching each section. Cut carefully around each butterfly. You may spray the piece with a small amount of water if it becomes too hard to work with. If you need to leave it for awhile spray it lightly with water, and cover it with plastic. This is a project that really needs to be finished as quickly as you can without getting careless. I found the use of a turntable made my work much easier. There was much less handling of the piece needed. | |
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Once you have
completed all of the cutout work you will need a rest. Allow the piece to
dry slightly. Using some old round stain brushes, silk sponge, cleaning
tool, and whatever works, clean your piece gently using mostly water and
damp tools. Your piece is very breakable at this point. All you want to do
is clean up as much as you can before it becomes totally dry. Don't overdo
this part. Allow the piece to dry for a couple days. The next time you look at it you will have more patience. Now you will have to finish cleaning the entire piece. Sand lightly with a fine sanding tool. Use your favorite cleaning tools, and do an excellent job of cleaning. Check each lattice section to make sure no clay is hanging up. It will be necessary to gingerly pick the piece up and dump the loose cleaning dust out. Check it over again for flaws, the gently wipe it down with a wet sponge. I blew the dust out of the lattice work before wiping it down. Fire to 03. |
| I used wide masking tape to cover
the holes in the lattice. I then poured some thinned clear glaze in the
inside of the cylinder. Roll the glaze around a couple times to make sure
you have a good coverage before pouring the remained out. Pull the masking
tape off, and allow the piece to drain upside down for a few minutes. Make
sure it is well supported so it won't tip over. Clean up any drips and glaze
build ups in the lattice work, and dry thoroughly. Following the
manufactures instructions, apply 2 or 3 coats of white glaze to the outside
of the cylinder. Do not allow the glaze to build up in the cutout areas.
When dry, fire to cone 06.
You will want to apply your butterfly decals first. Apply them to the matching areas of the lattice and one on the inside of each solid section. Cut 3 pieces of an allover decal pattern of your choice. Cut the pieces just a little longer than you need them. Hold the dry decal against the cylinder with the bottom against the surface it is sitting on. Use a pencil to trace around the scalloped top surface. Cut this to fit before immersing the decal in water. Slide the decal onto the solid surface of the cylinder, and carefully line everything up to fit. Work out all water and air bubbles. Continue with the other two sides in the same manner. Allow to dry overnight, and fire again to 015. You will get a different look depending on the type of candle you use. I really hope you enjoyed this. It's a lot of work, but well worth the effort. Materials Needed: Leather hard cylinder, thin sharp knife, heavy paper for making pattern, Butterfly, and Allover Decals, Clear and White Glaze, cleaning supplies of your choice. |
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