Post #621953 by LoriLovesTiki on Sun, Jan 22, 2012 9:35 AM

Thanks everyone! Yes, I have access to a kiln @ my school. The first guy is going to get his first fire in a day or two and I hope this second short little fellow I've named "Mel" gets fired at the same time. This one I didn't build up, I just carved into and I used MDM's trick. I drew it, folded the paper in half and then flipped it over. I used the dot trick Wendy mentioned too so his face is somewhat symetrical but he's not very exciting.

I think I like building more than carving so I started #3 by building up my base.

Here's my big question - how do I keep the mug from getting all lumpy and bumpy as I hold him as I carve him or add pieces, etc. When the clay is soft enough to mold it's so easy to miss shape. I suspect it's because I'm using elementary school cheapo class. It only gets fired at a cone 4. Nothing's stopping me from buying "better" clay if I new what I was buying although it would be done to fire a couple of mugs in my school's HUGE kiln. Right now whatever I make with the school's supplies are getting fired with the students' stuff. I know I'm pretty luck in that regard, this playing around is costing me nothing but time. Btw, Wendy I sanded the top of Mel and it made a HUGE improvement, that top edge was horrible. I'm going to sand #1 tomorrow am before he gets into the kiln for his first fire!