Miniature Ceramic Bird Bath – Pinch Pot and Slab Lesson

Mini Ceramic Birdbaths are a great way to teach two ceramic techniques in one lesson: pinch pots & hand building (2 class periods for the construction)! We made the bowl & base of the bird bath using the pinch pot method (we made the base by forming a ball, then pressing the clay around our finger to form a tall thin cylinder) and the bird is made using a hand building method.

I first saw this lesson at these excellent art teacher blog Splats, Scras, and Glue Blobs Clay Bird Bath Sculptures Part 1 & Birdbath Sculptures with Melted Glass Water. SmART Class also has reference to this project. Many other art teachers have done this project with precious results! Parents LOVE this project!

This is how WE created this project:
Supplies: Low fire clay, clay modeling tools, glass beads, Mayco Stroke & Coat Glazes

Activity: Mini Bird Bath Ceramics

Construct a miniature bird bath and bird out of ceramics using pinch pot and hand building methods of construction.

Instructions:

1. Give each student a bat with plastic wrap on it. Have the write their name on a piece of masking tape & put it on the front corner of the bat. Also give them a large plastic bag and rubber band for storage.
2. Give each student two balls of clay one for the bath and one for the base or the stand.
3. Create the bath with a small ball using the pinch pot method, form it into the desired shape of the bath.
4. Create the base or stand by forming the other ball into a tall thin cylinder. This time after pulling out your thumb, insert your pointer finger & gently squeeze the clay around you finger until you have an even thickness all the way around the finger & it makes a tall cylinder. Wiggle your finger until it comes out & tap the open end on the table to that is even & not wobbly.
   1. Optional Slab Base: You could give them a ball of clay & have them roll out the slab with a larger ball, then cut out the 4×2” section measuring with a ruler. (Have them save the extra clay to form the bird.)
5. Score & slip the bath & base together.
6. Use a needle tool to draw patterns or other objects to press in texture (like the end of a marker cap).
7. Use hand building techniques to form the bird. Cut the wings with scissors & gently sculpt them into the position you want.
8. Score & slip the bird onto the bath.
9. Scratch your initials onto the side of the base
10. Let dry 5-7 days, Fire, Glaze -Add 3-5 glass beads & re-fire.

Addition references for this project came from: http://splatsscrapsandglueblobs.blogspot.com/2012/03/clay-bird-bath-sculptures-part-1.html http://www.etsy.com/listing/97040552/miniature-birdbath-for-fairy-garden http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/71/bc/2d/71bc2da18bab430ca0f623ba965ddfd7.jpg

If you use any of my images or text, please link back to my blog Create Art with ME!

Additional Ceramic Lessons:

Lily Pads with Lotus Flowers

Ceramic Butterfly Bowls Part 1 & Part 2 (Glazed)

Funny Face Mugs Part 1 & Part 2 (Glazed)

Ceramic Box with Lid

Role-A-Beast Animal Ceramic Lesson