Ann E. Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 I am trying to make a nest out of clay branches. I have been dipping the branches in slip but when fired the branches burn out and the clay comes out in about half inch cylinders, which are beautiful but would have to be glued back together to make a branch. This would be almost an impossible task and not give me the look I want to create a fairly large nest that one could sit in. Can anyone help me with the technical aspects of this as I am an elementary art teacher and taking a ceramics class with J.J. McCrackin and this is my project for her? I will acknowledge your help and write and article if I ever figure this out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherWoodson Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 I would suggest a little research in 'paper' clay. I attended a work shop by Rebecca Hutchinson last summer and was amazed by the strength and versatility of the paper clay. Just google her name and you'll see what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sculption_chat Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 My first thought as I read your post re; creating clay branches was paper clay as well. I hear that if your paper clay dries out that you would be able to add a wet piece to the bone dry piece without scoring and slip and it would still stick. This way you could add on to the nest if need be. That reminds me...I have a bucket of porcelain paper clay that I made in the basement - there are recipes online, it's not overly difficult. It's also available to purchase ready made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 The paper clay is a good idea ... I have recipes and techniques for making it on my site. www.ccpottery.com You can get the bark from trees and roll the pieces over it to get the texture right or .. cover the bark with several layers of liquid latex ( letting it dry between coatings) ... this will create a flexible, correct patterned mold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyroteacher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Hi! Dip newspaper into well-mixed slip and cover the branches, then fire. I've done this before, and it worked. I applied about 3 layers of newspaper and tried to have it going different directions with each layer, like you do for paper mache. I am trying to make a nest out of clay branches. I have been dipping the branches in slip but when fired the branches burn out and the clay comes out in about half inch cylinders, which are beautiful but would have to be glued back together to make a branch. This would be almost an impossible task and not give me the look I want to create a fairly large nest that one could sit in. Can anyone help me with the technical aspects of this as I am an elementary art teacher and taking a ceramics class with J.J. McCrackin and this is my project for her? I will acknowledge your help and write and article if I ever figure this out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigi Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I am trying to make a nest out of clay branches. I have been dipping the branches in slip but when fired the branches burn out and the clay comes out in about half inch cylinders, which are beautiful but would have to be glued back together to make a branch. This would be almost an impossible task and not give me the look I want to create a fairly large nest that one could sit in. Can anyone help me with the technical aspects of this as I am an elementary art teacher and taking a ceramics class with J.J. McCrackin and this is my project for her? I will acknowledge your help and write and article if I ever figure this out! I know it was a few years ago but I was just wondering if you ever made the nest and how it turned out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bciskepottery Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 You could make your own "twigs" from coils made by hand or with an extruder and carve/add layers of slip to the outsides to give them texture. Eric Serritella is an expert at putting bark surfaces on clay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 The work of Deborah Horell comes to mind. She had an article in Ceramics Monthly, and taught at Alfred summer school in 1982. She made about four molds then slip cast the pieces. You could make some two-piece plaster molds from the branches and then just press the clay in. Too complicated? TJR She had an actual nest that she drew images on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.