Handbuilt Monsters

Designer: Carmen Allen

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Instructions

  1. Roll out a ¼” thick slab.
  2. Press a textured mat into the clay. When using Mayco’s mats gently press down in the middle and work your way outward. Once the mat is secure, go over with a rolling pin to be sure the design is applied evenly. Begin rolling lightly in the center and increase pressure slowly until the mat is pressed down all the way. Remove the mat. Depending on how you want to make your monster you may want to leave some of the slabs without texture!
  3. Cut a circle or oval out of the slab and use a Slump & Hump mold to shape it. Let it set up for about 15 minutes before handling. Repeat this step so you have 2 parts to create a shell. Squeezed some of the finished forms to create more of an oblong shape and cut off excess to make smaller monsters.
  4. Slip and score edges of the forms to attach to make a closed form, or offset a pair to create a big mouth on one!
  5. Once you have created the form you are free to create little details to add on. Possible additions; rolled up slabs to make tubes for legs, attached stamped slabs to layer textures, pinched out a big tail, or hand-rolled eyeballs. All to be slipped and scored as attachments.
  6. Once all of the details have been created and attached, cover loosely with a bag so they can dry slow, to help reduce any cracking that could occur.
  7. Once completely dry fire to shelf cone 05/04.
  8. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan or a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 2-3 coats of color to the desired area. Let dry to the touch in between coats.
  9. Once completely dry fire to shelf cone 06/05.
  10. Add wire, pipe cleaners, and beads and antenna for embellishments.

Supplies

Form

  • Low-fire white earthenware clay

Colors

  • SC-11 Blue Yonder
  • SC-13 Grapel
  • SC-15 Tuxedo
  • SC-16 Cotton Tail
  • SC-24 Dandelion
  • SC-27 Sour Apple
  • SC-73 Candy Apple Red
  • SC-75 Orange-A-Peel
  • SC-76 Cara-Bein Blue

Decorating Accessories

  • MT-004 Swirls Mat
  • MT-005 Retro Squares Mat
  • CD-776 Circle Slump & Hump Mold
  • CD777 Oval Slump & Hump Mold

Miscellaneous Accessories

  • Rolling pin
  • Optional embellishments (wire, pipe cleaners, and beads and antenna)

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