Crafting a Decorative Bottle Vase: Step-by-Step Guide:
Today, we will guide you through the process of creating a decorative bottle vase. Follow these steps to craft your own unique piece:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials: To start, gather the following materials:
- Clay
- Template for shaping:
- Bevel tool
- Wooden tool
- Cookie cutter
- Clay knife
- Foam sponge
Step 2: Shaping the Body:
- Use your template to cut out four sides for the body of the vase.
For more on preparing your clay such as wedging and rolling out your clay, check out our previous blog post “How to make a pottery tumbler part 1-2“
- Cut out a base and two squares for decoration.
- With the bevel tool, bevel the edges that will be joined.
- Score and slip the two square pieces.
- Place them on the clay slab and apply your chosen pattern.
- Score and slip the clay walls of body.
- Bring the walls of your body and base together, pinching a seam along all the sides to be joined.
- Roll clay coils and place them internally along the joins.
- Run your finger along coils to ensure they are securely attached to strengthen the vase.
- Attach the last part of body, score and slip, and pinch the seams.
- Join up the shoulder of the vase, closing it up.
- Use the wooden tool to smooth and compress the seams.
Step 3: Adding the Neck:
- Cut a hole in the shoulder using a cookie cutter and a clay knife.
- Use a strip of clay to form the neck of the vase.
- Attach the neck to the shoulder of the vase, ensuring a secure connection.
- Use the wooden tool to compress the join.
- Clean up the neck using your finger and a foam sponge.
Step 4: Finishing Touches:
- Cut out a rectangular piece of clay.
- Cut a hole in it and attach it to the top of your vase.
- Make sure all joints are well-compressed and clean up any excess clay with a sponge.
Step 5: Finalizing Your Decorative Bottle Vase: Once thoroughly dry bisque fire your vaase then once bisque apply your favorite glaze and then re fire in a glaze firing.
Happy Potting! 🤗
