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A conversation about using clay as a teaching tool
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November 16th, 2012
NOTE: A complete PDF Bead Making Lesson Plan done to Florida teaching standards is available for download by clicking here!
Lesson Purpose
 Bead making is one of our very first arts, as humans. Beads are still made from many natural materials, both organic such as animals, stones and shells, or botanical and inorganic like minerals. Primitive man wore necklaces made from animal bones, claws and teeth of slain animals. They learned to create polished wooden beads, colorful seeds and pieces of palm, bamboo and tropical hardwoods producing attractive necklaces and bracelets. As clay and glass became more readily available the use of beads socially and economically flourished. Beads have been used throughout the world for many different reasons such a religious, i.e. rosary beads; trade or currency, i.e. Aggrey beads from Ghana; spiritual, i.e. worry beads; and for playing children’s games such as the Owari beads. The history of beading is a story of social and economic impact on people of every continent and culture, and revival of old ideas into new.
Some Lesson Plan Highlights…
- A thorough introduction of the history of bead making is included in the Lesson Plan
- Each student will be able to identify different types of uses for beads. They will then create beads in different colors and styles to be worn or to be traded with fellow students.
- Age group recommendation: Approximately 5th Grade through High School (and beyond)!
- Step-by-step written instructions as well as images are provided
- All tools and materials required to complete Lesson Plan are listed, as well as product numbers for easy ordering
- Grading/Scoring scale included
(Downlaod PDF document for complete instructions)
 What will my students be able to do when they finish this lesson or unit?
How to use clay and create a beautiful bead, thinking of the processes and skills involved. The student will learn by exploring with clay, what the clay body can/not do. By creating beads, the student will learn how to create shapes and combining them with color by using their hands and various tools.
 As the Instructor, what assessment tools will I use?
After completely this Lesson Plan, students will be able to identify different types of uses for beads and through presentation of their beads, each student will be assessed on if the beads are complete and were done neatly. The student will also be assessed on the creativity of the beads in relation to their use.
 If you have any questions regarding the Lesson Plan, please feel free to email us at: info@lagunaclay.com or leave a question in the “Leave a Reply” section below this posting. Have fun and good luck!
Tags: Aggrey beads, bead making, beads, ceramics, classroom, currency beads, Owari beads, rosary beads, students, teaching, trade beads, worry beads
Posted in Ceramics Around the World, Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans, Uncategorized | No Comments »
February 15th, 2012
These bowls are simple to make. We put almost every step in this lesson so you can make one even if you have never worked with clay.
So bring your “I can do it!” attitude and let’s make some bowls!
First things first… Clay dos and don’ts;
Do
- Use water sparingly
- Wipe your hands off on a cloth frequently.
- Be aware of where you are telling the clay to go by noticing the angle between your fingertips and middle knuckles.
- If the table is too high, put your work in your lap (on top of your cloth) or work standing up.
- Allow the dirty water sit so the clay settles, pour the clear water off and put the clay sludge in at trash bag or lined trash container.
Don’t
- Dump clay filled water down the drain (it will clog pipes).
- Put lots of water on your work.
- Do not throw clay (unless you have a potter’s wheel).
- Don’t handle your work carelessly, it will break.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Start by cutting a slab of clay off of the large “pug”. Use a wire tool, a sturdy string or fishing line
Cut the slab into 4 smaller parts (six if you are working with very young children). Make two (or three) smaller.
Make the larger pieces into balls. Use the palm of your hand. Clay is one place you are allowed to smack loudly!
Start forming your bowl by holding it in one hand as shown. Then use the thumb of your other hand to form the middle hole. Leave it a bit thick at the bottom.
 Here you see the right hand doing the pinching and the left is just holding the piece. Starting at the bottom squeeze a little between thumb and fingers, turn the piece two finger widths and squeeze again. When you have moved all the way around the piece move up a thumbs length and do the process again. Note that the clay is going the way the finger is angled.
 You can repeat the process until the bowl is thick enough to hold it’s own weight and thin enough to “feel right” when you pick it up. This may take some practice. If your piece collapses, carefully crush it without trapping any air inside and make the clay into a ball, wrapping it to use for “decorative sprigs” later.
You now smooth the bowl if you want to. Then use a knife (fettling or butter knife) “to form the “foot”. The “foot” of a bowl helps the bowl sit firmly on the table without rolling.
 The wider the foot, the more stable the bowl. An excessively large foot makes a bowl heavy and can adversely affect the look of the bowl. Here you can clearly see a flat spot is cut at the bottom of the bowl. Trace a square on the flat area, then carefully cut away,starting at the flat spot with the slice narrowing at the curve of your bowl.
 Adding clay pieces to a clay form with slip is called “sprigging”. You will now make decorative elements which will attach to your bowl. Remember, if the sprigging is too heavy the bowl will tip to one side instead of being upright on the foot. One way to make things light is to make them hollow. If you close a form completely, poke a hole in it when you are finish, or the trapped air might break it.
Make your sprigging design, then lay it out without sticking it on. Once you have the “bugs” worked out, it will be time to attach everything.
Make little slices where you wish to attach a piece. This is called scoring. Then place a drop of water on the scored area, do the same with the sprig then press them firmly together. The scoring creates a great deal of surface area, the water creates a way for the clay particles to move easily. The pressure helps them line up and be strong with their new neighbors. The smaller the sprig, the less pressure is required.
Here is a little trick to make your limbs interesting. Apply a little pressure with dull side of the knife, then draw it along, allowing the rope of clay to roll. Do it both ways if you like for a pattern of diamonds or squares..
 Then you set the piece aside to dry. Let it dry for two weeks. If the piece is wet when it is painted the paint will blister. If the piece feels cool to your cheek it needs more drying time.
Paint the whole piece with clear, white, black or red gesso. Let it dry for a day.
Paint your piece carefully, starting on the inside. Take care not to break your sprigs as you work around the piece. Wadded paper towels or foam can be used to lay the piece upside down without damage.
The bowl at the front has had a coat of clear gloss acrylic medium. The bowl at the back has been painted with acrylic craft paint only.
**Click here to view or download a PDF version of this Lesson Plan>>
Tags: bowl, ceramics, classroom, clay, students, teacher, teaching
Posted in Ideas for All Ages, Ideas for Grades K-8, Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans | No Comments »
January 29th, 2012
This lesson written by: Rosanne Sloane
  
Lesson Purpose:
We are going to create seed blossoms which we will be able to toss onto abandoned land. Each student will learn about our native wild flowers, choosing a flower they like and writing a brief description on it.
BACKGROUND: When Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon arrived in Florida on Palm Sunday in 1513, he named Florida, La Florida, “land of flowers,” in honor of the Spain’s Easter celebration. There was at that time an abundant wildflowers as far as the eye could see.
As communities grew, native Floridians people and new settlers utilized native wildflowers for a variety of things, from medicine and food to aesthetics. They recognized wildflowers’ places in nature’s hierarchy and their importance in the plant and animal kingdoms.
As years passed with the destruction of natural places in Florida in order to develop modern dwellings such as homes, schools, and businesses, with it’s the once beautiful landscape lost many of its wild flowers. Recognizing the loss of such beauty, many Floridians tried to save the wildflowers within in their own communities.
Florida’s flowers include more than 4,100 kinds of spontaneous occurring plants. There are 2,800 Florida native plants. Florida’s 2,800 native plant list includes trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses and flowering herbaceous species. In the spirit of Lady Bird Johnson’s Highway Beautification Act created in 1965, we are going to help revitalize neglected landscapes with the use of clay and wild flower seeds.
DOWNLOAD: Organic Seed Blossom Lesson Plan>>
Organic Seed Blossom Recipe
DOWNLOAD: Organic Seed Blossom Recipe>>
Makes six ping pong size seed blossom
All materials in this recipe and instructional sheet are cheap or free, easy to find, and are natural and organic.
(Note: Buy seed mixtures of native flowers and plants to your area. Not only will they grow well, they will not crowd out other plants, disrupt bird and insect populations, or do other environmental damage.)
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder as a pest deterrent (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of water
(Add water as needed to make meatloaf like consistency. Water is for forming the clay, do not water seed blossom when finished.)
What you will need for mixing and storing Seed Blossoms:
- Yogurt container with lid
- Empty Egg carton
Instructions:
 Mix 5 parts clay with 1 part compost and 1 part flower seeds into the container. Put 1 tablespoon of water into the mixture. Add water a necessary but make sure not to make your mixture into a goopy sloppy mess!
Knead with hands into a ball, flatten it out like a tube and cut 1” spacing or to desired size. We would recommend wearing latex gloves when rolling the balls, tubes, and making the actual blossom.
 
Take each cut and make into a small ball and place into egg carton to dry.
Place egg carton by a window to help dry. Please allow 3 days to days thoroughly before tossing.
 
Choosing a Site
Choosing a suitable site is as crucial as choosing suitable seeds. Some might view seed blossom tossing as “vandalism.”
Best Site Choice
We want to make sure the land has been orphaned and would be suitable for wild flowers. We want to attract other wild life to help pollinate the wild flowers to be.
Here is a good check list to consider when searching for a site.
- Make sure the site is not a conservation area?
- Make sure the area is not privately owned.
- Make sure the land is not set aside for agricultural purposes.
- Make sure the site is abandoned and can be benefit from the seeds.
- Make sure the site is not a future construction site.
There are some Don’ts that need to be followed:
- Don’t throw seed blossoms at people, animals, buildings, vehicles or windows. Please make sure that nothing or no body can be damaged or harmed by your flying seed blossoms.
- Don’t throw them on land with inadequate growing conditions. If there is sun light and no obvious soil for the plants to anchor themselves causing them to perish.
Don’t use the seed blossoms as a form of aggression or vandalism.
Lesson Resources
Posted in Ideas for All Ages, Ideas for Grades K-8, Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans | No Comments »
October 27th, 2011
How To Make A Wild Flower Power Air Dry Clay Tile
Download a PDF of this blog post showing how to create Air Dry Wildflower Tiles>>
Take a 25lb brick of Laguna Mexo-White Self Hardening Clay and cut a 1″ x 12″ x 12″ thick slab of clay.
1. Place the clay on a slab roller canvas or on newspaper to be roller out to a 25” x 30” slab.
2. Roll the clay through the slab roller or under the rolling pin.
 3. Slab the air dry clay until you get to ¼” thick.
4. Once you have a slab ¼” thick you can place a slab mat on top to erase the canvas marks or you can leave them.
5. Please your slab of clay on a clean piece of paper or clean work area.
6. Take a square cookie cutter about 2” x 2”. (If you want larger tiles you can use standard sizes such as 4” x 4” or 6” x 6” or a 8” x 8”.)
7. Cut as many tiles as you can from you 1st slab of 25” x 30” clay.
8. Please your stamp or stencil on top the tiles you have cut out to create the imprint you are creating. Make sure to spray the tile with vegetable oil or talc powder for quick release from the clay.
9. Press down on the stamp evenly or etch out the stencil at this time.
10. Pull back the tile or stencil carefully.
11. Examine the impression.
12. Once you examine the impression, continue stamping.
13. After the tiles have been cut and stamped, designate someone to smooth the edges.
14. You can smooth out any wrinkles or creases on the sides or top at this point.
15. Place tiles on a board to dry for the next three days.
16. Once dried, you can apply acrylic paints, spray paints, glitter, cork, rubber, or any other multi-media material to jazz up the tile.
 
Downloads:
Posted in Ideas for All Ages, Ideas for Grades K-8, Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans | No Comments »
September 1st, 2011
A special thanks to our post author Alfredo Ratinoff for this wonderful mural project designed for grades K through 5. And to Laguna Distributor Tin Barn Pottery (email: tinbarnpottery@aol.com / (703) 330-1173) for working with Alfredo to provide the Versa 5 glazes to students for the project.
The Beginnings of the School-Wide Mural Project
Glebe Elementary (Arlington, VA) students have just completed a wonderful art journey. Under the guidance of artist Alfredo Ratinoff, what began as a first grade drawing game, became four, 8′ x 4′ tile murals permanently installed in the school’s courtyard. Glebe art teachers Stacey Lewis and Lynn Westergren were teaching an integrated unit on Force, Energy and Motion in the work of American painter Elizabeth Murray. As part of this unit, students made collaborative shape drawings. The results of this drawing game were surprisingly beautiful and Lewis and Westergren felt they were the perfect designs for a proposed mural project for the school courtyard.
Work Plan Created for a 400 Student Mural with Variation for Age Levels
Lewis and Westergren contacted Alfredo Ratinoff , whom they had worked with before when a 26ft x 28ft mural was created for the school lobby. Alfredo created a work plan that would allow all 400 Glebe students, K – 5, to have a part in the creation of these courtyard murals. Alfredo also crafted a design that recreated the 1st grade drawings in hand built clay slab relief and encased these pieces in dynamic glazed mosaic shapes. Kindergarten and 1st grade students glazed the quarry tile used for the mosaic with Versa 5 colors from Laguna Clay Company – Alfredo worked closely with Laguna Distributor Tin Barn Pottery (located in Manassas, Virginia) to obtain the Versa 5 glazes for this project.
The versatility of the Versa 5 Glazes allowed us to mix the glazes to obtain a beautiful subtle palette that set off the bright hues of the hand built slabs. Second and Third Grade students created the mosaic from broken glazed quarry tile. Using an enlarged map of the first grade drawings as their guide, fourth and fifth grade students sculpted the relief on shaped clay slabs and glazed these piece using the Versa 5 primary hues.
Mural Installation
Ratinoff and Westergren oversaw the installation of the four murals by Arlington County Public Schools tile installers. When Glebe students return this fall they will get daily enjoyment from the fruits of their year of work on this project. We want to express thanks to the Laguna Clay Company for creating such an outstanding line of glazes, that are simple enough for students to use, but consistently create marvelous professional grade results for outdoor projects.
Glebe Courtyard Mural Project Photos
Posted in Ideas for Grades K-8, Ideas for the Classroom | No Comments »
August 25th, 2011
 The BirdProject is a very important cause to the Laguna Clay Company. The BP Oil Spill in the Gulf was devastating and we wanted to find a way to give back to the local community. The white ceramic birds inside the soaps are glazed with Laguna Clay Co. blue crackle glaze. We were proud and honored to donate this glaze to Tippy Tippen’s BirdProject. Please enjoy reading and learning about the BirdProject. As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, as well as hear about your personal experiences.
The BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster has destroyed and continues to destroy local culture, our environment, and our wildlife. Both the long-term after effects of this disaster and its ultimate reach are yet unknown. BirdProject’s mission is to raise and maintain public awareness of the Oil Spill and to help provide funding for Environmental Cleanup Initiatives and aid for affected wildlife.
BirdProject provides work to the area by teaming exclusively with local artists, suppliers, and manufacturers and building positive partnerships between a range of New Orleans communities. Working with community and education based Operation Reach helps highlight this important issue in the minds of teenagers as well as teaching new skills in both green technologies and entrepreneurial creativity.
 BirdProject is manufacturing an exclusive edition of black, bird-shaped glycerin soaps. Each soap contains a white, ceramic bird, made from Louisiana Clay and Laguna Clay Co. glazes, which remains as a keepsake once the outer soap has been washed away. The use of Glycerin – a biodiesel by-product – helps bolster awareness of green energy initiatives while emphasizing smart usage of manufacturing waste.
Through the daily act of washing, you will eventually free the clean, white, ceramic birds inside – potent symbols of restoration and recovery. The soap is shaped to be cradled in your hand and is a powerful representation of all creatures affected by the spill.
 The soaps are manufactured from natural, locally sourced ingredients: biodiesel glycerin from Operation Reach, fair trade olive oil, aloe, activated black charcoal, and a light cypress scent – reminiscent of Louisianan bayous.
BirdProject’s production model is highly scalable, enabling cost-effective runs for both local and national retail outlets. 30% of the retail price will be donated directly to the Gulf Restoration network and the IBRRC. Profits will provide funding for follow up products including raising funding/awareness for wetland restoration.
 BirdProject is the launch product from, MATTER L3C, a new design company based in New Orleans. About MATTER: Eco-intelligence, creativity, and innovative philanthropy unite at MATTER L3C: an industrial design & consulting studio based in New Orleans, uniquely focused on raising awareness and funding initiatives that advance social change. A portion of all proceeds flow to causes that impact the health, happiness, and sustainability of our communities both locally and for our neighbors around the world. MATTER L3C helps to make the world a better place by creating products and collaborations that matter.
Since my relocation to New Orleans from Brooklyn, NY to help in oil spill cleanup I have had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer for Audubon. This day was amazing in the ability to see so many healthy pelicans in an oil-free natural, habitat and a massive thank you to Lexie Montgomery, the incredible Audubon Volunteer Coordinator and new friend.
  
** Below are photos of the making of these lovely birds… Click on the image to see the process in greater detail **
In The News:
**BirdProject’s Bird-Shaped Soaps Remind Us Gulf Spill Cleanup Isn’t Over**
By: Maria Matis, with www.ecouterre.com 07/18/11
“The symbolism of the soap extends beyond its shape. Intentionally black to represent oil, each bird washes away to reveal a white ceramic version inside. “The white ceramic bird represents hope, and is to remain as a symbol of progress and recovery,” Tippens tells Ecouterre. Intentionally black to represent oil, each one washes away to reveal a white ceramic version inside.”
**Symbolic soaps raise funds for oil-spill cleanup operation**
By: www.springwise.com, 07/11/11
“Symbolically, the soaps represent the washing of a bird whilst simultaneously linking that process to human activity as they wash themselves. A further function of the design is that it has helped raise awareness for a rescue operation at a time when many feel swamped by calls to give to worthy causes. Those trying to achieve similar goals, time to start thinking creatively!”
Tags: BirdProject, BirdProject soap, classroom, Gulf BP Oil Spill, Tippy Tippens
Posted in Ceramics and Fundraising, Ceramics Around the World, Ideas for All Ages, Lesson Plans, Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 16th, 2011
This Lesson Plan uses Fired-On Images along with Laguna Clay and Creatable Colors to create unique and beautiful tiles to be enjoyed by all!
 Click Here to download the complete printable step-by-step intstructions for this Lesson Plan – (PDF)
Click Here to download the actual Fruit image used for this Lesson Plan (PDF)
Note: We have created links to help you find the exact products used in this Lesson Plan. Simply click on the highlighted material you are interested in and you will be directed to our site if you would like to learn more about the materials or purchase them.
Materials
Option 1: Color is added as Under-glaze (Majolica style)
A. Size image and print out on plain paper to trace or directly onto Clay Carbon
B. Paint bisque tile LM362 with 2 coats white EM2101 Laguna Creatable Color Glaze, let dry
C. Trace image on to dried white glaze surface
D. Paint in the lines with 1-2 coats Creatable Colors assorted colors (this fruit crate label sample used Red, Medium Blue, Green, Yellow and Orange).
Decorating Hints:
- Print the image onto a sheet of Laser compatible transparency film. That way you can hold the image over the tile as you paint to make sure the color is exactly where you want it.
- Use masking tape or liquid masking fluid for crisp lines and edges.
E. Fire to Cone 06
F. Print image onto Fired-On Images MS Transfer Paper using ANY Canon or HP Black-only Laser printer or copier.
Printing Hints:
- Print on the glossy side of the paper, one sheet at a time, placing in the manual feed slot of the printer.
- HP or Canon Black-only Multifunction Laser Printer/Photocopiers can be used as standalone.
- Fired-On transfer printers without the need of a computer hook up. You just put the image onto the copier platen and print directly onto the transfer paper.
G. Cut out image close to edges
H. Soak in warm water
I. Lift image with backing paper intact and place on tile using one hand hold film down and carefully pull out backing paper from underneath with the other hand
J. Line up with image push water out with paper towel or soft brayer.
K. Fire to cone 06
Option 2: Color is added as Over-glaze
1. Paint bisque tile LM362 with 2-3 coats white EM 2101 Laguna Creatable Color Glaze
2. Fire to cone 06
3. Print sized image onto decal paper using any HP or Canon Black-only printer
4. Cut out close to image edges
5. Soak in warm water
6. Pick up with backing paper intact and lay onto tile …using one hand hold down film and pull out backing paper with the other hand
7. Push water from center outward with paper towel or soft brayer
8. Fire to Cone 06
9. Paint in the lines with assorted Creatable Colors Glaze
Over-glaze Hints:
- Over-glazing onto a smooth pre-glazed surface can be tricky if the glaze or brush is too wet.
- Use a dry brush with glaze that is the consistency of paste (put some liquid glaze on a scrap glazed tile and let dry until the right consistency)
10. Fire again to cone 06
Stoneware Instructions (Cone 5 Glaze)
Materials
Overglaze Method:
A. Paint your cone 5 ware with 2 -3 coats Versa 5 White Glaze MS301
B. Fire to Cone 5
C. Apply Transfer as instructed
D. Fire to Cone 06
E. Paint in the lines with assorted Creatable Colors Glazes
F. Fire to cone 06.
Stoneware Hints:
- It is possible to do the under-glaze image decorating method with Versa 5 Glazes. Just use the white as your Majolica base coat and Versa 5 colored glazes as your coloring medium.
- Keep in mind that Stoneware cone 5 glazes shrink and so the image will need to be resized before decal application.
More Info and Where to Buy Hints:
Tags: arts, ceramics, Creatable Colors, students, teacher, teaching, tiles
Posted in Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
March 10th, 2011
This Lesson Plan is a collaborative effort made from Laguna B-Mix Clay with Grog and AMACO Velvet Underglazes and Clear Glaze.
 Please enjoy this very imaginative Ceramic Twizzler® Tile Mural Lesson Plan by clicking on the links below. Stephanie Osser developed this Twizzler® Lesson Plan after attending a ceramics workshop for faculty and staff at Babson College. She is the studio manager/ceramic artist-in-residence for a small ceramics program based at Babson College, a business school, in Wellesley, MA. She comes to ceramics from her career as a book illustrator. Her forte is bas-relief tile and sculpture and is currently involved in a commissioned bas-relief group project for the Cambridge Hospital Alliance in Cambridge, MA. Stephanie has also been chosen to be a resident artist in Denmark this summer for six weeks at an international ceramic research center called Guldagergaard. There she will work on her own narrative work in bas-relief tiles and sculpute and new technology in silk screen and decaling her drawings on clay. To learn more about Stephanie and her current and past projects, visit her personal website at: www.stephanieosser.com
- Click here to view the Step-by-Step Lesson Plan instructions on Laguna Clay’s website
- Click here to download a Printable (PDF) version of the Step-by-Step Lesson Plan instructions
Tags: ceramics, classroom, glaze, Stephani Osser, students, teaching, tiles, workshop
Posted in Ideas for All Ages, Ideas for Grades K-8, Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans, Reflections from a Ceramic Event, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 3rd, 2011
Objective: Use Laguna Paper Clay to create a collaborative classroom “Clan” Totem Pole, without firing in a kiln.
Presented By: David D. Gilbaugh, and Jennie Koons
Grade Levels: 3 & 4 (Adaptable K-12)
Background Information: The traditional use of Totem Poles is an ancient one held by many cultures around the world. Totems serve as a visual statement and record to commemorate and share the cultural history of a people. Totems come in four types including Crests, History, Legends, and Memorials. (Single lesson plan).
NOTE: Magic Water was mentioned in the CAEA Paper Clay Workshop.
Magic Water, product # IP238-G
Everyone needs some “magic” in their day. Laguna Clay makes Magic Water for the ease of those who do not have a full selection of raw materials in their studio. Use Magic Water to enhance clays ability to bond leather hard to dry clay pieces together and to create Magic mud to mend cracks in bone dry or bisque ware (a small addition of paper to regular clays will also aid in this process).
CLICK HERE to Download the Totem Pole Lesson Plan
 
Tags: ceramics, classroom, david gilbaugh, Jennie Koons, students, totem pole, workshop
Posted in Ceramics Around the World, Great Ceramic Artists, Ideas for All Ages, Ideas for Grades K-8, Ideas for the Classroom, Lesson Plans, Reflections from a Ceramic Event, Uncategorized | No Comments »
October 18th, 2010
Pictured: Alfredo Ratinoff with one of the students from the summer mosaic class at the Smithsonian
This project was conceived as a combination of two different ceramic techniques: mosaics and hand-building clay. The idea is to create one-of-a-kind mosaic sun dials for the garden using tiles, glass, broken china, and any other object we may have had for years waiting to be recycled into a beautiful art piece. Also this fun project includes a special section about hand-building the sun dial with Laguna Clay and glazing the piece with exquisite Versa 5 colors. The class was held at the Dillon Ripley Center at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., and it was a great success! Some of the students who had never worked with clay before loved it and created beautiful pieces that now are in display in their home gardens. The project does not require any level of expertise and is for beginners to advanced students. Follow the instructions and be sure to let your creative spirit flow … enjoy!
Materials for project:
- 12” x 12” concrete tile from Home Depot (Garden)
- Laguna Glazes Versa 5 colors
- 2 pieces of flat, plain rectangular wood molding 14” long each and ¾” thick
- Small piece of canvas
- Small 12” x 12” piece of plywood or similar material to work with clay
- Rolling pin
- Brushes
- Wire cutter
- Some clay modeling tools (Laguna Clay Company)
- Small knife
- Metal rib to smooth the clay surface (Laguna Clay Company)
- Spatula
- Sanded Grout
- Sponges
- Plastic Containers
- Water
- Mask N 95 for silica protection 3M type
- Goggles
Technique:
1. It is always a good idea to have one color sketch of your mosaic on paper.
2. Make a separate sketch of the shape of your sun dial, too.
3. Once your design is ready, transfer it to the concrete tile. The easiest way is to use carbon paper, though you can also draw your design free hand on the tile.
4. Draw the area where the sun dial will be placed on your concrete tile.
5. Select the materials for your mosaic based on the colors and textures from the original design. Please pay attention and take your time to make a good selection.
Important Tips
- Choose a very hard surface in order to break your pieces with the hammer.
- Choose any concrete outdoor space or you can buy a solid concrete block at any construction supply center and use it as your working area.
- Place your china, tiles or glass between two pieces of brown wrapping paper and break them between the paper to keep sharp pieces from flying and facilitate collecting the broken pieces after you are done.
- Choose a medium size hammer to work with and hit the pieces a couple times, checking the pieces each time, as some materials are harder than others.
6. Start breaking small amounts of pieces at a time. (DO NOT FORGET TO WEAR YOUR EYE GOGGLES WHEN YOU ARE BREAKING THE CERAMIC PIECES).
Place the broken pieces on the areas of your mosaic (DO NOT GLUE ANYTHING YET), working in one area at a time. If you get tired, you can work in another section and always get back later to the first area you started. Keep working and breaking the different tiles and china with your hammer and help yourself with the tile nippers in order to shape the little pieces as much as possible.
Pictured: Place the mosaic pieces one at a time. Be sure that they all fit well.
7. Once you have finished an area, you can start the very important task of applying the glue. Apply your glue with a small plastic knife or spatula, applying enough glue to keep your pieces well-attached to the concrete.
Pictured: Placing and gluing the first mosaic pieces on the concrete blocks
Important Tip
Apply enough glue! Don’t worry if some glue comes out around the edges of the pieces. The glue should be enough to bond between the two sides. If any glue arises between your mosaic pieces, clean this immediately with a wet sponge since it is difficult to remove it once it has hardened, and it will show on your grout. Also, do not let any stray glue on top of the mosaic pieces to get hard either. Continue to clean with a wet sponge as you work.
Pictured: Assembling the pieces slowly to fit each tile on the circles.
The mosaic is partially assembled. Now it is time to work with the clay to make the sun dials.
8. At this point once you have partially created your mosaic piece, and you can start making your sun dial in clay.
Working with Laguna Clay:
9. Use a small board covered with canvas to work with the clay to prevent the clay from sticking.
Pictured: Alfredo demonstrating how to make small slabs of clay
10. Place the two pieces of flat molding 8” apart from each other on top of board covered with canvas.
Pictured: Students working with Laguna B-Mix Red cone 5making slabs using rolling pins
11. Open your bag of clay, and, using your wire cutter, slice 1 ½ “ of Laguna B MIX RED cone 5 clay and place it on top of your working area covered with canvas.
12. Using your hand, apply even pressure to the clay to make it a little flatter.
Important Tip
Use even pressure when you are working with your clay. Try not to make any holes in the clay with your fingers since this can create air pockets that later on can cause explosions during the bisque firing.
13. Once the clay is ready adjust the two pieces of wood to the desired space on the board, the clay should always be thicker than the two wooden sticks. Using the rolling pin, start rolling the clay, applying even pressure until it gets flat and the rolling pin is touching the two sticks. At this point your slab should be ready. Always check that the thickness of the clay is even on the slab surface. Your sun dial should be ¾” thick at least in order to stand on its own during the firing
Important Tip
If the slab surface is not even, use a scraping tool to slowly scrape on the base of the piece in order to make it more even and stable.
14. Remove the wooden sticks, and smooth the clay with a metal rib.
15. Trace the shape for your clay sun dial on a piece of paper.
Pictured: Alfredo helping one of the students to cut the shape of the sundial on clay
16. Place the tracing paper on your clay, and, using a pointed tool, draw the shape of the sun dial on the clay surface and lift the paper.
17. Using your knife, cut the final shape of your sun dial and place your dial on a board, allowing the clay to dry a little. You can then carve any design you want on the clay using your clay carving tools.
Pictured: Students created beautiful patterns on the sun dials using hand-carved Indian stamps.
18. Once you are finished with the surface treatment on your clay check that the clay is shaped correctly and that it stands at a 90-degree angle from the base. Allow the clay to dry slowly, placing a piece of dry wall or plaster on top in order to keep the clay flat as it dries without any risk of warping.
Pictured: After completing the decoration, each piece is cleaned and the edges are beveled.
19. Once the clay is dry, remove the dry wall or the ceramic or plaster tile, and with a damp sponge clean the edges and any other area on the clay surface and place the piece in a ceramic kiln for a bisque firing to cone 06 (1816F).
Pictured: Alfredo explains to one of the students how to apply the glazes to obtain thin lines with a brush.
20. Once you have fired your clay piece for the first firing (“bisque firing”), choose the colors you want for your sun dial using the Laguna Versa 5 glaze system palette. The Laguna Versa 5 allows one to mix any of the colors without any adverse reaction. You can use the colors from the jars as they come or mix them in order to obtain thousands of beautiful and different colors. If you make your own mixes, it is a good idea to keep a log of each of them in order to be able to repeat the same color. You can store your mixes in little containers and save them for other projects as well. Always test each color mix before using them on the final piece in order to be sure about the color.
Laguna Versa 5 colors may change slightly when fired over red or dark colored clays. If you are not sure about the final results, I recommend always to test the color first on a small piece of the same clay.
Pictured: Students glazing the pieces using Laguna Versa 5 colors
21. Apply three flowing coats of the color to the bisque pieces.
Pictured: Detail of the color application by brush on the bisque piece
22. Allow the glaze to dry. Be sure to clean any glaze close to the bottom of your piece, and remember that stoneware pieces should always be fired dry footed on the kiln. Place your sun dial in the kiln standing up and fire to cone 5 (2194F).
23. Once your piece is fired and cooled, you can attach the piece to your concrete stone using the Acryl Pro glue, or if you want a stronger bond, you can use any Marine Epoxy (I recommend “PC-11 Epoxy Glue”).
Important Tip
Once you applied the epoxy to the sun dial base, place it in the desired location and apply some pressure to allow good bonding between both sides.
24. The Glue will take 24 hours to dry. Place some duct tape between the sun dial and the base or sides to keep it attached if it is necessary. Ultimately it should stand by itself. You can keep adding more broken pieces until your mosaic is finished.
Pictured: The mosaic piece finished and ready for the final grouting
25. Select your grout color according to your piece colors.
Important Tip
Use Sanded Grout only for this project. Sanded grout is designed to work with joints between 1/8” to 1/2”.
26. Remember to wear your mask when handling grout in powder form. Mix enough grout, but not excessive amounts since you can always mix more.
27. Get your plastic bucket ready and pour 1 and 1/2 cup of powdered grout and start adding water little by little (you do not need too much water). Keep stirring with the spatula; the grout should have a thick, creamy consistency.
28. Allow the mix to set for 10 minutes before using the grout.
29. Start applying the grout with a spatula over the mosaic. Have a bucket of water ready next to your piece and clean with the sponge as you work, continuing to apply the grout as needed. Replace your water as necessary to keep the water clean.
Pictured: The grout should be cleaned with water and a soft sponge until there is no
more residue on top or between the mosaic pieces.
30. Once your mosaic is clean and grouted, allow the mix to dry for 24 hours.
Pictured: The mosaic piece is ready and clean to dry.
A final clean-up will be done the next day to clean the last residue from the grout.
Important Tip
Never discard the grout in your sink (!!)
31. Clean the mosaic surface the next day with Windex using paper towels.
32. Install your piece in the garden. Sundials need adjustment, and it will take a couple of days to have it oriented properly. Also keep in mind that the readings may change slightly with the seasons. Most importantly, enjoy your beautiful art and plan an art opening reception for your piece in the garden with friends and family!
Tags: ceramics, classroom, clay, glaze, Smithsonian arts, students, teacher, teaching, tiles, workshop
Posted in Ideas for All Ages, Ideas for the Classroom, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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