| Candle "de-lite" Click on Pictures for larger view. |
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First choose your
decal, and then find a plain cylinder in a size that will compliment the decal. Remember
to pick a decal that is curved in the right direction and has a heavy amount of pattern at
the base of the design. Carefully trim close around the decal, and then trace the pattern
on a plain piece of paper. If you pour your own greenware, pour it a little heavier than usual. Allow it to remain in the mold overnight. this will bring it to the proper consistency for cutting. If it is necessary to hold it longer, remove it from the mold and cover it with plastic. If you purchase your greenware, order it to be picked up "leather hard" and keep it wrapped until you are ready to start working. When you are ready to start place your cylinder on a flat surface that can be easily moved. I just used a square piece of wood. Do not use a turntable as you want the piece to "hold still" while cutting. Take the pattern you cut from plain paper and place it with the "front" side against the wet cylinder. Look at your piece carefully and decide how much of the pattern you will cut out for the edge of the candleholder. Take your time while cutting. You do not want to spoil the round of the cylinder. Using a sharp, thin blade, cut out both the pattern and the plain edge. Do not remove anything at this point. Cut a straight line from edge to edge across the bottom leaving a slight lip. Ever so gently move each of the remaining cut out pieces to make sure they will come out when ready. If there is anything that still needs cutting, do so now. Once you know you will be able to remove the pieces, leave them set for about an hour to give the cylinder strength. You may want to move them just a little a couple of times to keep them loose. You may do a little clean up with your knife if necessary at this point. You may allow the piece to dry and clean as usual, or clean it while it is still damp. The use of a good sponge and small brush is all you will need. Once the piece is totally dry and well cleaned. fire it to cone 03-04. Glaze the cylinder inside and out with either a clear or white glaze. I used Duncan's IN1100 White Envision. Dry thoroughly between coats, and fire to cone 06. Cut a piece of the allover decal a little larger than the cylinder back. Release the decal in water as usual and apply to cylinder back. Be sure to work all water and air from underneath. It is quite important to use a squeegee at this point. Carefully lay a very sharp, thin bladed knife against the cut edge of the cylinder and cut the decal to fit around the entire edge of the cylinder. Make sure all edges are securely sealed. Let set until decal is thoroughly dry before working on the inside decal. Place your decal pattern so that it fits along the inside cutout edge. If you have any extended pieces that do not fit properly, you may need to cut the decal and place it for a better fit. If you are going to use a humming bird or anything that will overlap the first decal, do not apply it at this time. Make sure you have all the water and air worked out from under your decal. The use of a squeegee is most helpful for this. Let the piece dry overnight and fire to cone 015. Apply any accent decal of your choice at this point. It may overlap the existing decal. Work out all air and water and dry completely. Using a Chin Mist that will compliment your decal, spray the bottom of the cylinder and slightly up into the base of the decal. If you get the spray where you do not want it just wipe it off with a soft cloth. Be very careful not to touch the sprayed surface, as it will mark easily. When the piece is dry, fire again to cone 015. Apply liquid bright gold to the entire cut edge. Make sure you use a brush reserved for gold only. I like a China Oval for this purpose. Pick a brush that works the best for you, as this is a ticklish job. Pour a little gold onto a clean tile and load your brush from there. If you should make a mistake, wipe it off carefully with a soft cloth and a little gold essence. if you do not remove the gold thoroughly it will fire leaving a purple streak. This will have to be removed with gold off. It is easier to remove the purple streak than full strength fired gold. I like to fire my gold right away with no drying period. It will not harm the gold, and it lessens the chance of damage from dust. Fire according to manufactures directions. I used Hanovia's Liquid Bright Gold and fired to cone 019. Find a candle that will enhance your piece without covering up the background decal. It is just beautiful to watch the glow of the candle against the decaled background. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I did. You may think about using scenery or animals for your decal instead of flowers. Your allover decal for the outside could be fur, or one of the tiny floral patterns. There is just no end to the possibilities. |
Simply add a different candle for a new look.
The allover decal pattern on the outside adds to the beauty of the finished piece.
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MATERIALS NEEDED Leather Hard Greenware Cylinder |
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