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CACTUS JEWELLERY TRAY
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
INSTRUCTIONS
Creating the slip
Step 1 - Grab a small container and fill it 3/4 full of clay. Add enough water to just cover the clay and leave for 24 hours.
Step 2 - The next day, mash the clay together to create slip. If it's too thin, add more clay. If it's too thick, add a little water.
Sculpting the design
Step 1 - Use a mat or lay out some baking paper to prevent the clay from sticking.
Step 2 - Grab a handful of clay and warm it up in your hands, kneading and moulding it into a ball.
Step 3 - Flatten the ball into a circle roughly 1cm thick using a rolling pin.
Tip: If you are looking for perfection, use chop sticks either side of the clay to maintain constant thickness with the rolling pin!
Step 4 - Use a stencil, or free-hand trace a circle shape onto the clay. Use a cutting tool to cut the circle out.
Step 5 - Roll the remaining clay into a thin snake.
Step 6 - Score the edges of the circular shape by slicing crosses into the clay.
Step 7 - Place the roll of clay on top of the scored edges and blend together with the base using the blunt end tool. From here it should start to resemble a tray!
Step 8 - Using either your fingers or the blending tool, smooth down the blended edges with some slip and mould together.
Step 9 - Clean up the remaining clay, using the slip to smooth the cracks/lumps/splits on the top and the bottom. Don't forget to smooth the holes underneath!
Creating the ring holder
Step 1 - For the cactus, warm up a piece of the clay in your hands and split it into 3 sections: 1 larger piece for the base, and 2 smaller pieces for the arms.
Step 2 - Create the desired shape of the cactus. Make the clay slightly large for the base with a pointy top and 2 bended arms.
Step 4 - Using the scoring method, make small slices onto both pieces where you want them to connect.
Step 5 - Add a dab of slip onto the scored area and attach the arms to the base.
Step 6. Using the blending tool, mould the two pieces together. Smooth over the blended edges with slip and your fingers or a paintbrush. Repeat the process for both arms.
Step 7 - Score the base of the tray in the centre where you want to attach your shape.
Step 8 - Add a dab of slip to the scored area and attach the shape, using the blending tool to mould together. Smooth over the blended edges with slip.
Step 9 - Once you are happy with the shape, set it aside and allow it to dry for 24 hours.
Tip - Here is your chance to be creative! Follow the steps with any shape that would be practical for holding rings - a crescent moon for example!
Painting
Step 1 - When the tray is dry it will turn white. Give it a quick sand with some fine grit sand paper to smooth the surface before painting.
Step 2 - Start by painting the tray with a white base coat, making sure to paint the bottom.
Step 3 - To paint the cactus, use a green for the base coat on the arms and the base. Let this coat dry and apply a second coat of green paint.
Step 4 - Once dry, mix the green colour with some white to create a lighter shade. Using a small detail brush, sweep the light green in pinstripes down the cactus and into the arms.
Step 5 - Add small white dots onto the light green stripes to mimic spikes.
Optional: Using red paint, create small flowers in different locations on the cactus, adding a white dot in the centre to finish the flowers.
Step 6 - Add any additional details to the white tray, such as coloured dots, or fallen cactus flowers.
Sealing
Step 1 - Once the paint is dry, use a paintbrush to coat the whole tray in a gloss varnish. Leave to dry and repeat process, ensuring the underside is also varnished.
Step 2 - Coat with a second layer of varnish and leave to dry before adding your jewellery.