Underglaze Handbuilt Candles

Designer: Elizabeth Carey

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Instructions

  1. Place around 1 TBS of clay into a small bowl or cup. Add around 1 TBS of water and let sit. Mash up the clay to make slip. You might need to add more water or clay to make it the right consistency. It should have a similar consistency as gravy.
  2. Roll out clay with a rolling pin until it is around 1/8” thick.
  3. Using the ruler, square and knife, cut out a rectangle that is 4” wide by 12” long.
  4. Find something circular that has at least a 4” diameter. Place it on the clay and cut out the circle.
  5. Lift up the circle and rectangle to make sure they are not stuck to your work surface.
  6. Take your jewelry and press them into a scrap piece of clay. Remove them to see what impression they make. Once you find the ones you like, press them into the rectangular slab to make a textured design.
  7. Use the pencil to score the front, right side of the rectangle. It should just be the least ½” from the side. Use the pencil to score the back, left side of the rectangle. It should just be the least ½” from the side. Cover the scored areas with slip and join them together to form a cylinder.
  8. Take the circle of clay and score ½” around the edge. Score the bottom edge of the cylinder. Add slip to both scored areas. Place the cylinder onto the circle. Take the knife and trim off any excess from the circle. Use the rib to smooth down the joint at the bottom.
  9. Allow piece to air dry until it is firm enough to handle.
  10. Using the Soft Fan with UG-72 Wedgewood Blue or UG-209 Jade, apply 1 coat to the bottom half of the candle holder (do not glaze the actual bottom). Dip the same brush into UG-51 China White and shade up to the top of the candle holder. Repeat for a total of 3 coats.
  11. Using the Soft Fan with UG-51 China White, apply 3 coats to the inside of the candle holder.
  12. Using the Soft Fan with NT-BR Clear One Brushing, apply 2 coats to the outside (not bottom) and inside of the candle holder.
  13. Allow piece to completely dry.
  14. Fire to cone 04.

Supplies

Form

  • Low-fire White Clay

Colors

  • NT-BR Clear One Brushing
  • UG-51 China White
  • UG-72 Wedgewood Blue
  • UG-209 Jade

Decorating Accessories

  • RB-144 #4 Soft Fan

Miscellaneous Accessories

  • Sponge
  • Water
  • Small bowl or cup
  • Rolling pin
  • Rib
  • Ruler
  • Square
  • Knife
  • Pencil
  • Jewelry

 

 

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