Braided Basket
- Details
- Last Updated: Monday, 04 June 2012 19:28
A potpourri container for the bath or kitchen; catch-all for the baby's room.
Products Used
Color
Color
- FN-011 - Light Blue
- FN-014 - Antique White
- SC-1 - Pink-A-Boo
- SC-28 - Blue Isle
- SC-55 - Yella Bout It
- BT-910 - Synthetic Sponges
- CB-106 - #6 Script Liner
- CB-604 - #4 Soft Fan
- CD-1078 - Design Press Tools
- CD-1156 - Leaf & Flower Motifs Continuous Design Press Tools
Additional Materials
- Moist Clay
- ¼" Wooden Slats
- Straight Edge
- Canvas
- Rolling Pin
- Pencil
- Needle Tool
- Slip/Clay Slurry
- Oatmeal Box
- Clay Extruder - Optional
Project Info
- Designer: Marcia Roullard
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time: 2½ hours
- Download Project (pdf)
Instructions
- Look for a cylinder shape to use as a form to shape the basket. You can use a large oatmeal container, or make your own shape by taping together a piece of stiff cardboard. This basket is 3½" high with a circumference of 18".
- Roll out the clay ¼" thick using a rolling pin on canvas to fit the shape size. Use a straight edge to score the clay rectangle for the body of the basket. This will keep the continuous design tool rolling straight.
- Press and roll the flower design tool from CD-1156 Leaf & Flower Design Press Tool in rows to fill the space. Score and cut the clay with a needle tool, using the straight edge again to keep straight and at right angles. Cut larger than needed to fit the cylinder shape.
- For the bottom of the basket, trace the bottom of the cylinder shape into the clay. Score with the needle tool the bottom edge and brush with slip/clay slurry to attach the rectangle shape created for the body of the basket to the bottom. Form it around the cylinder shape.
- Overlap the clay where it meets and use the needle tool to cut the clay, removing excess. Score and use slip to attach the side.
- Roll some small clay balls and attach to the seamed side, then press the balls with the spiral press tool from the CD-1078 Press Tools Mold.
- Roll a large coil or use a clay extruder. Attach the coil to the top of the basket. Press in a spiral shape from the CD-1078 Press Tools Mold all around the coil about an inch apart.
- Roll or use the clay extruder to form two coils about 16" each for the handle. Twist the coils together to form a handle shape. Estimate the size needed for your basket. Leave the shape set on a flat surface until it is firm enough to handle.
- Remove the cylinder form before attaching the handle. Attach the handle to the basket with slip/clay slurry and prop the middle of the handle to prevent it from sagging.
- Allow the basket to completly dry before firing.
- Clean up any imperfections on the greenware.
- Bisque fire the basket to shelf cone 04.
Glazing Instructions
- Begin with properly fired shelf cone 04 bisque. Moisten a clean sponge and wipe bisque to remove any dust.
- Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply 3 coats of FN-011 Light Blue to the inside, handle and coil edge of the basket.
- Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply 3 coats of FN-014 Antique White to the body of the basket. Allow to dry.
- Thin SC-28 Blue Isle. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply the thinned SC-28 Blue Isle to the handle and the body of the basket. Wipe off the handle with a damp sponge, and dry sand the thin paint off the bottom of the basket, so it remains in the detail.
- Using a CB-106 # 6 Script Liner, stroke the flower petals with 1 coat of SC-1 Pink a Boo. Dot centers with SC-55 Yella Bout It. Paint the button trim with the SC-55 Yella Bout It. Allow to dry.
- Stilt and fire to shelf cone 06.