Post #723356 by TikiAno on Mon, Jul 21, 2014 8:55 PM

Been working on a number of tiles and assorted clay projects. Figure I'd just post 'em all at once. Started with four small (4" square) tiki tiles. First I threw a slab, then added pieces and carved away.

Then I let them dry a few days, added texture and some more carving. Now they're dry enough to bisque fire them:

I bisqure fired the Beat Moai pendant for Tiki Oasis, then used it as a press stamp to make a negative. While doing this I snapped the original (I trimmed out the back to thin it out, which made it a bit fragile, especially before glaze firing it), but made a few negative pieces (which I will use to create new pendants that will hopefully be ready in time for T.O.). Here's what it looks like:

The Volcano Scorpion Bowl: I threw this on the wheel a week or so ago. It was a new clay body for me to work with, with a lot of sand in it, so wasn't too fun to throw. You can see the sand/ texture on the clay, and it will be visible when it gets fired.

I let it dry/ set-up, then built a small cylinder by hand for the center of the bowl. There's a small platform inside of it to hold a flaming sugar cube, then I trimmed the base so it would be "open." I thought it would look cool to see your drink floating under the flaming center. I can't remember seeing that before in a scorpion bowl design- has anyone else? I carved some tapa around the sides- and added the name of the home bar: "The Forbidden Maya Tai."

I started working on some Tiki Bobs (my first time with this subject). First I made a larger hanging wall tile:

Then made some smaller Tiki Bobs as pendants- here's the whole family:

Jon/ Hang 10, you inspired me, so here are a few new coasters... Some of these may or may not be for you... (these will be trimmed a bit after they dry for a few days to "clean up" the areas for the mugs/ glasses.

And here's my attempt at making a "handy" coaster- Jon, let me know your thoughts... this was interesting to build since wet clay has to be supported as it dries so it doesn't crack. Each piece is built up and will hopefully survive and dry slow enough to be safely fired. Unfortunately, this clay body dries a little faster than I'd like, so we'll see what happens. Jon sent me a photo of a design that he saw- mine is quite a bit different.

First I started to build up a base with fingers coming out of a palm...

Then added bent fingers (separate pieces of clay), which are bent forward to look like they're clenching- ideally, around a mai tai glass. This will have to dry slowly and set up before I can touch it and trim/ carve it more.

Muchos mahaolos for the visit!

[ Edited by: TikiAno 2014-07-21 20:58 ]