Braided Basket

A potpourri container for the bath or kitchen; catch-all for the baby's room.



Products Used

Color
  • FN-011 - Light Blue
  • FN-014 - Antique White
  • SC-1 - Pink-A-Boo
  • SC-28 - Blue Isle
  • SC-55 - Yella Bout It
Decorating Accessories
  • BT-910 - Synthetic Sponges
  • CB-106 - #6 Script Liner
  • CB-604 - #4 Soft Fan
  • CD-1078 - Design Press Tools
  • CD-1156 - Leaf & Flower Motifs Continuous Design Press Tools
CD1056_handBuiltBasket
Additional Materials
  • Moist Clay
  • ¼" Wooden Slats
  • Straight Edge
  • Canvas
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pencil
  • Needle Tool
  • Slip/Clay Slurry
  • Oatmeal Box
  • Clay Extruder - Optional
Project Info

Instructions


  1. Look for a cylinder shape to use as a form to shape the basket. You can use a large oatmeal container, or make your own shape by taping together a piece of stiff cardboard. This basket is 3½" high with a circumference of 18".
  2. Roll out the clay ¼" thick using a rolling pin on canvas to fit the shape size. Use a straight edge to score the clay rectangle for the body of the basket. This will keep the continuous design tool rolling straight.
  3. Press and roll the flower design tool from CD-1156 Leaf & Flower Design Press Tool in rows to fill the space. Score and cut the clay with a needle tool, using the straight edge again to keep straight and at right angles. Cut larger than needed to fit the cylinder shape.
  4. For the bottom of the basket, trace the bottom of the cylinder shape into the clay. Score with the needle tool the bottom edge and brush with slip/clay slurry to attach the rectangle shape created for the body of the basket to the bottom. Form it around the cylinder shape.
  5. Overlap the clay where it meets and use the needle tool to cut the clay, removing excess. Score and use slip to attach the side.
  6. Roll some small clay balls and attach to the seamed side, then press the balls with the spiral press tool from the CD-1078 Press Tools Mold.
  7. Roll a large coil or use a clay extruder. Attach the coil to the top of the basket. Press in a spiral shape from the CD-1078 Press Tools Mold all around the coil about an inch apart.
  8. Roll or use the clay extruder to form two coils about 16" each for the handle. Twist the coils together to form a handle shape. Estimate the size needed for your basket. Leave the shape set on a flat surface until it is firm enough to handle.
  9. Remove the cylinder form before attaching the handle. Attach the handle to the basket with slip/clay slurry and prop the middle of the handle to prevent it from sagging.
  10. Allow the basket to completly dry before firing.
  11. Clean up any imperfections on the greenware.
  12. Bisque fire the basket to shelf cone 04.

Glazing Instructions

  1. Begin with properly fired shelf cone 04 bisque. Moisten a clean sponge and wipe bisque to remove any dust.
  2. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply 3 coats of FN-011 Light Blue to the inside, handle and coil edge of the basket.
  3. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply 3 coats of FN-014 Antique White to the body of the basket. Allow to dry.
  4. Thin SC-28 Blue Isle. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply the thinned SC-28 Blue Isle to the handle and the body of the basket. Wipe off the handle with a damp sponge, and dry sand the thin paint off the bottom of the basket, so it remains in the detail.
  5. Using a CB-106 # 6 Script Liner, stroke the flower petals with 1 coat of SC-1 Pink a Boo. Dot centers with SC-55 Yella Bout It. Paint the button trim with the SC-55 Yella Bout It. Allow to dry.
  6. Stilt and fire to shelf cone 06.

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