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Handbuilding.com is a division of Creative Paradise, Inc.
415 Industrial * Goddard, KS 67052
Phone: (316) 794-8621 * Fax: (316) 794-8226

 

   

A wide variety of adorable “Clayful Critters” can be made by creating a hollow clay sphere or ˝ round  body from a slump mold and then adding eyes, noses, snouts, ears, feet and more formed from sprig molds. The clay sprigs from the Clayful Critter sprig molds can be used to create traditional animals or interchanged to make a “Cat-Fish”, “Bird-Dog”, and more! The creative possibilities are endless.

To form a hollow clay sphere or half sphere from a plaster slump mold, using low fire white clay, press pieces of the moist clay into the SP05 round slump mold. Continue to add pieces of clay and smearing the pieces together until the entire cavity of the slump mold is covered with a layer of ˝” of clay.    

To de-mold the half sphere, begin by pulling the clay slightly from the edge of the mold to break the seal between the clay and the mold.

 

 Hold the mold in one hand and tap the outside of the mold with a rubber mallet or the palm of a hand to loosen the clay shell. As the clay begins to pull free from the mold, place a hand in front of the mold and invert to completely dislodge the clay.  

If a ˝ sphere body is desired, the de-molded ˝ shell should be scored and added to a rolled slab of clay using the scoring and adding techniques given for a whole sphere body below. The slab of clay can be trimmed to the size of the ˝ sphere.

 

If a sphere body is desired, another ˝ clay shell should be made in the same manner as above. The edge of each shell should be scored using a plastic fork or other scoring device.

 

 

Vinegar should be applied to the scored areas using a craft brush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press both scored and “vinegared” shells together.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using a thumb, smooth the seem between the two shells. If desired also smooth away the clay puzzle lines on the sphere.  Carefully place the newly formed sphere in a clean area.

 

 

 

 

Begin to form the clay sprig pieces to be added to the sphere. Press a large piece of clay into the sprig mold cavity.

 

 

 

Use a plastic scraper to scrape the excess clay from the back of the clay sprig in the mold. Place the scraper in the center of the clay and scrape out to prevent the clay from prematurely pulling or rolling up out of the mold.

 

Use a small piece of moistened clay pressed to the back of the clay sprig to easily lift the clay sprig from the mold.

Using the same technique form all of the clay sprig pieces that are desired to work with to form the Clayful Critter of your choice and place them in a safe clean area.

 

 

 

Position the feet sprigs such that they will hold the sphere. Score the top of the feet and the bottom of the sphere where the feet will join.  Add vinegar to the scored areas and firmly position the sphere on to the feet.

 

 

  

 

Pre-position the facial features and other sprig parts on the clay sphere by placing them lightly on the sphere and moving them until they are in desired positions. 

 

 

 

With a skewer or other scoring device mark the positions of the sprigs and remove the sprigs. Score the area where the sprigs will be added. Score the area of the sprig that will join to the sphere and the appropriate area of the sphere. Apply vinegar to the scored areas. Carefully, apply the sprigs pieces to the sphere.

 

 If desired, add hand formed pieces and score the surface of the clay to form mouths or other adornments.

 

 

 

 

If desired cut a plug hole in the sphere and a coin slot to form a piggy bank. If a coin slot of plug hole is not created, make sure to pierce the sphere with a skewer to create a vent hole for the air inside the sphere during firing.

 

 

 

 

Place the finished Clayful Critter in a plastic bag and allow to rest for 24 hours. Vent bag and allow to rest for another 24 hours. Remove Clayful Critter from bag and allow to air dry until the clay is bone dry and no longer cool to the touch. Many underglazes can be applied to the non-fired clay bodies according to the manufacturer’s directions. Many glazes require application to fired clay. Refer to the desired glaze manufacturer’s written instructions for details.

Any water-based clay can be used to form a Clayful Critter. Fire and decorate the clay according to the clay manufacture's suggestions.