This post is dedicated to a couple of my closest friends….
I’m sure you have at least one friend like these ones – the loyal, encouraging, supportive and brutally honest types? The ones that ask those tough questions most ‘normal’ people just keep to themselves?
At a recent catch-up, they commented about a recent giveaway I ran on fb – gifting one of my Christmas decorations (congrats again to RH on guessing the exact number – 382). My friends fawned over my Christmas designs but didn’t like the price tag. ‘Those tags would be easy to make’ was the exact declaration.
[ And all the hand-makers, crafters, artisans’ heads hit the table ]
With a small smile, I start to explain how each tag is made – lucky for you, here’s some pretty pictures to help you see the process…. (if you click on the photos, they’ll expand)
Tools at the ready – Clay, water, rib tool, stamps, underglaze colour, sponge, needle tool, official stamp and decoration templateFlattening out patty of clayGetting ready to throw the clay down – one technique for flattening the clayReady to releaseSee how the clay stretches and is pulled across the surface of the board…Clay is thrown out until the desired thickness is reachedUsing the rib tool to compress the clay, we run the rib over the clay on both sides.Using the template as a guide, I cut around it with the needle toolCreating the line of hearts is so easy with the template – running around the plastic helps to create a smooth line and consistent shapeYou need to work quickly at this stage as the clay’s moisture is absorbed by the board, making it harder to work with and more prone to cracks.Using the spare space to create some little rectangular tags…Pressing the ‘Servant Ceramics’ stamp into each tagWiggling the needle top to enlarge the initial piercing.Removing the excess clay from both sides of the tag for a smooth finishUsing the needle tool to pierce an opening up top for ribbon/stringPiercing a ‘love’ tagAt this stage, I now use a sponge to smooth all edges, including the piercing and cutout areasYou have to press hard enough for a good impression, but not so hard as to mark the surface with the whole rectangle of the stamp.Just need the ‘v’ and ‘e’Each letter is individually stampedPainting the colour into the stamped textThe underglaze dries quickly and I prefer using DECO underglazes – they are fantastic!!After the underglaze has dried, I scrap the excess colour off the surface…As this process creates dust, I wear a mask for protectionOne of my favourite moments – wiping a damp sponge across the surface to reveal……smooth, clean textThis task can be frustrating – if you scrap too hard, you can lose the stamped text and need to re-add colourAh, so pretty!With the tags made, they need to dry out before loading them into the kiln for their first firing – to 1000 degrees Celsius.After their bisque firing, they are dipped into glaze. The edges and back are sponged again, ensuring no residual glaze is left as it melts into a glaze surface on its way to 1280 degrees Celsius.
After the glaze firing finishes, and the kiln cools down (often taking 12+hours), we take out the tags and sand their edges and backs to ensure a smooth, touchable surface. If required, we thread a ribbon through the top to complete the tag.
That’s how my Christmas pretties are made. Each tag, ornament and decoration has its own subtle differences – be it in their shape or text arrangement, the glaze finish or how they hang from their hand pierced hole. It does take time to make each tag. A lot of time, its a hands on affair. They are to be treasured, displayed, hung up…
‘With Love’ – sanded and used as a gift tag.
And in response: ‘Oh. They’re bloody worth it then.’
Ah, brutally honest and concise. Love my peeps.
I hope this post helps you to understand a little more about the ceramics process and exactly what is involved when making seemingly simple ceramics objects. Oh, if you’re really interested in ceramics, check out the mudcolony blog for more insight into practices and processes of studio ceramics.
4 thoughts on “How it’s done || Christmas decorations”
Wow you are one talented girl. I think you’re amazing!!!!
Ah, you’re so encouraging Joel!! Really appreciate your support 🙂
I checked your Christmas ornament price and it is actually less than for similar type ornaments from another ceramic maker. So by comparison you can tell your friend that yours are a bargain!
Pricing handmade items is definitely awkward. Granted, its one of my favourite topics when talking with other makers though 🙂 Thanks for your comment Caroline
Wow you are one talented girl. I think you’re amazing!!!!
Ah, you’re so encouraging Joel!! Really appreciate your support 🙂
I checked your Christmas ornament price and it is actually less than for similar type ornaments from another ceramic maker. So by comparison you can tell your friend that yours are a bargain!
Pricing handmade items is definitely awkward. Granted, its one of my favourite topics when talking with other makers though 🙂 Thanks for your comment Caroline