How to create a ceramic face vase

Create a Ceramic Face Vase

53
STEPS
TOOLS

Gather supplies to cover bottle

Gather supplies to cover bottle

Wrap bottle in newspaper, about 4 layers thick

Wrap bottle in newspaper, about 4 layers thick

Tape securely in place. Line up edge of newspaper with bottom of bottle

Tape securely in place. Line up edge of newspaper with bottom of bottle

Wrap in plastic wrap

Wrap in plastic wrap

Roll out slab of clay, about 1/2 inch thick. Try to make a long rectangular shape, not a circle or blob.

Roll out slab of clay, about 1/2 inch thick. Try to make a long rectangular shape, not a circle or blob.

Using ruler and clay knife, trim into even rectangle. Save your scraps to make the facial features.

Using ruler and clay knife, trim into even rectangle. Save your scraps to make the facial features.

Line up slab with bottom of bottle and roll around water bottle

Line up slab with bottom of bottle and roll around water bottle

Trim at a slight angle when you reach your beginning edge

Trim at a slight angle when you reach your beginning edge

Smooth edges together

Smooth edges together

Use scraps from earlier to cut out facial shapes. They can be silly or realistic. Scratch the back of the pieces

Use scraps from earlier to cut out facial shapes. They can be silly or realistic. Scratch the back of the pieces

Scratch where the features will go in a criss cross manner

Scratch where the features will go in a criss cross manner

Use water on both surfaces, then press it in place. Press hard enough to firmly adhere them together

Use water on both surfaces, then press it in place. Press hard enough to firmly adhere them together

Roll out coils for other features, like eyebrows or lips

Roll out coils for other features, like eyebrows or lips

"Scratch and attach" all features

"Scratch and attach" all features

Add mouth, mustache, teeth, tongue, etc.

Add mouth, mustache, teeth, tongue, etc.

Draw on details

Draw on details

Scratch and attach ears

Scratch and attach ears

Roll out smaller slab for base. Place form on slab and carefully trace around it with needle tool. Do not cut all the way through at this point

Roll out smaller slab for base. Place form on slab and carefully trace around it with needle tool. Do not cut all the way through at this point

Remove form, then cut all the way through to get the base

Remove form, then cut all the way through to get the base

Scratch both surfaces and use water to attach

Scratch both surfaces and use water to attach

Smooth seam between base and form

Smooth seam between base and form

Add name to the bottom!

Add name to the bottom!

Remove bottle, but keep newspaper and plastic in to support it while it is drying.

Remove bottle, but keep newspaper and plastic in to support it while it is drying.

After it is fired, or air dried, glaze or paint as desired

After it is fired, or air dried, glaze or paint as desired

  • Clay
  • Clay tools
  • Water bottle
  • Newspaper
  • Saran Wrap
  • Tape
  • Rolling pin
  • Plastic bag for storage