Making Claypots

By Olivia Andrews

If you have an artistic mind and you love you make something decorative and attractive for your home then clay pots are definitely a great idea to work with. You can make different items or can also so some painting on the clay pot in such a way that it will make the plant look better. It may also happen that you not even notice the plant just because the pot is so attractive.

To make a painted clay pot you need to have 4” clay pot, opaque apple green acrylic paint, opaque blue lagoon acrylic paint, opaque yellow acrylic paint, semi opaque pumpkin acrylic paint, semi opaque white acrylic paint, fine point permanent black marker.

Steps to make a painted clay pot:

1. First using a small ruler and pencil, you should measure the height of the clay pot starting just below the rim. Then mark off the halfway point between the top and the bottom of the clay pot. Altogether you should measure and mark off the halfway point at four opposite places on the pot.

2. Now holding the plastic measuring tape up to the clay pot, connect the halfway points and then draw a light pencil line between all the halfway point marks around the pot.

3. Line up the ruler with each of the halfway points around the pot one at a time and draw a light pencil line from the top of the plant pot just below the rim to the bottom of the pot at this point. You will have 8 squares drawn on the pot.

4. Then you have to decide on the color scheme or arrangement of the colors into squares you have drawn on the pot. In one set of squares you can fill any combination of two colors and in the other one also you can fill other set of colors.

5. Squeeze a small amount of the pumpkin acrylic paint on the paper plate and gather a small amount of paint on the straight edge of the brush and paint along the straight lines of one of the squares with a generous coat paint on the paper plate. Outline and fill in one of the square completely with a generous layer of paint. Now paint the square diagonally across from it pumpkin using the same method as you did for the first one and let the paint dry. Rinse out and shape the brush again.

6. When this paint is drying, you can turn the pot around to other set of 4 squares. Squeeze a small amount of yellow acrylic paint on the paper plate. Outline and fill in one of the squares with a generous coat of the yellow paint. Paint the square diagonally across from it yellow suing the same method as you have did for the first one and then let the paint dry.

7. When the paint on this side is drying, turn the pot around to the first set of 4 squares. Squeeze a small amount of apple green acrylic paint and paint the square diagonally across from it green using the same method as you did earlier. Again let the paint dry and you can rinse out and shape the brush again.

8. Again while this paint is drying turn the pot around to the second set of 4 squares and squeeze a small amount of blue lagoon acrylic paint on the paper plate. Next outline and fill in one of the squares with a generous coat of blue paint. Paint the square diagonally using the same method and let the paint dry.

9. When the paint is drying for the last squares you have painted, it is time to paint the edge of the pot white. Squeeze a small amount of white acrylic paint onto the paper plate and paint the edges.

For further information, visit http://www.craft-books.net

Olivia Andrews, writer of craft-books.net is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.

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By Paul Duxbury

Clay pot crafts are a cute way to make home decorations. In clay pot crafts, clay flower pots can be crafted into a variety of decorative things that appeal to gardeners. Usually, the crafter begins with new pots. The pots are often decorated with paint as well as being tied together with rope or cord to create things.

Pots for clay pot crafts can be purchased in many different sizes, from tiny ones not more than 2 inches in diameter, to huge ones over a foot across. For a beginning project, start with smaller pots. The beginner should also choose clay pot crafts that don’t use too many pots in too elaborate a design.

An example of a good craft for someone new at clay pot crafts is to make a bell from two clay pots. Buy one pot that is about five or six inches in diameter, and another that is very small. You will use the small one as the clapper for the bell. You will also need some decorative cord, two large wooden beads, and paint in desired colours. You may also wish to purchase some glue-on jewels to decorate the bell. The bell makes a nice decoration for a front porch.

Cut the cord two feet (60 cm.) long. Fold the end over 3 inches (8 cm.) and tie in an overhand knot, making a loop. This loop is for hanging the bell from a hook or a nail. Now turn the larger clay pot upside-down. Pass the loose end of the cord down through the hole in the pot. Lay the pot on its side and slide one of the large wooden beads up the cord until it is about 10 inches (25 cm.) from the loose end. Now tie the cord around the bead so that the bead cannot slip from its position on the cord. If you have done this correctly, you can lift the pot by the loop. In clay pot crafts, the beads must be large enough to stop the cord from going through the hole in the bottom of the pot.

On the loose end of the cord, you are going to attach the small pot in the same way. Slide the small pot up the cord to make it easier to tie the other large wooden bead on the end of the cord. Now when you lift the entire arrangement by the loop, the smaller pot should hang freely inside the larger pot, making a pleasant sound when it claps against the larger pot.

Decorate the outside of the larger pot with paint as desired. You may like to paint it in black and white patches for a Holstein cow theme. You may also like to decorate the top of the bell with silk or dried flowers and greenery and a ribbon bow.

For a variation on this craft, make three of the bells and hang them from a horizontal piece of driftwood or other interesting piece of natural wood. When making hanging clay pot crafts, always make sure the beads are large enough and are tied tightly in place, because the clay pots will break if they fall to the ground.

Other clay pot crafts include making a large doll or scarecrow of nested pots strung together and painted. The doll can sit on a chair or a step of the front porch. Paint his face to look like a scarecrow, a jack-o-lantern, a gnome, or a child. Clay pot crafts are especially suited to being displayed outside.

Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation. He owns one of the UK’s Leading Information Providers PK eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk) and has recently launched http://www.profitable-crafts.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Duxbury

By Ian Williamson

The Chagga people are mountain people, who live on and in the shadow of Kilimanjaro – Northern Tanzania. They once believed in Sheuta and ancient creator god who formed the human race as a potter creates earthen vessels.

Even to this day people talk of the process of pot making is comparable to the creation of life in a woman’s womb. In the villages of Tanzania, usually the women folk are the potters. This profession is traditionally passed down from mother to daughter. Typically men do not participate in this trade.

The clay is dug out of the earth in large clumps, using a traditional hoe; this is back breaking work. These large pieces of clay are then taken home and broken into smaller lumps, water is added to make the clay more supple to work with. The consistency must be easy to work with – being very careful not to make it too wet. This is achieved by pummeling and needing the clay. A ball of clay is formed, then working quickly, turning and working the clay with the whole hand, fingers, and palms, continually tuning the container in a rhythmic manner – this process is completed surprisingly quickly. Once finished time is spent on the details, some potters marking their pots to make them distinct. The larger pots are made from producing long sausage shaped coils and these coils are wound around and around to from a pot. The sides are smoothed with water to remove the corrugated effect. Many home made tools are used in this process, scrapers, knives twigs and bits of timber.

The pots are then put in the shade to dry which can take up to four days for the larger pots. The pots are fired by covering them with wood and dried fragments of banana tree and the pot is half fired half smoked, this process takes an hour or two.

Once the fire has died down the pots are carefully removed from the ashes whilst still very hot. They are rubbed with leaves to give them a distinct colour and to seal them. Many of these pots will be used to cook food over an open fire.

These women are very talented at what they do although for all the effort and hard work not to mention talent a pot can be purchased for a dollar or maybe two.

For more information on Tanzania see http://www.betheladventure.co.uk and more general information on Tanzania see http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk – responsible tourism can change lives.

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By Victor Epand

Pottery is the oldest art of making clay utensils. It is basically clay (cement-like earth) which is modeled, dried and then fired into a vessel. Pottery may then be decorated with paint and glaze applied to it. There are certain materials used in making pottery. Clay is one of the most important materials used in making pottery and the clay used must be soft and malleable. Again clay is formed when rock decomposes into flat plates and water is trapped between these microscopic plates. Clay consists of 40% aluminum oxide, 14% water and 46% silicon oxide.

There are different types of clay and they can be grouped as primary clay and secondary clay. Primary clay is not mixed with other forms of sediment and it is not transported by water or glacier. Potter’s clay is the most commonly used clay in creation of potteries. The secondary clay is mixed up with sediments and is lighter and finer than the previous one. Clay is sometimes given additives.

In the early stages of history, the main machine in making pottery was a potter’s wheel. A potter’s wheel was a wheel with a connecting wire which was tied to a pedal. The wheel spun as soon as the pedal was pushed and the potter shaped the pot with his hand when the clay was put in the center of the wheel. Clay was the main ingredient. It was made from mud or other kinds of dirt. The design was made using rocks, knives and twigs. Then the clay is placed in a kiln which is a type of oven used for heating the clay until it becomes solid. Glaze and/or paint adds a finishing touch to the pot.

However it must always be kept in mind that pottery is rarely made from raw clay. Clay is almost always mixed with other materials.

A variety of materials are used today in making pottery .The two most widely used materials in pottery are-

1. Ceramics

2. Porcelain.

Porcelain clay is made from white stone by crushing it and it is purified with water by mixing it until it becomes smooth and soft. This porcelain clay is also known as china clay or terracotta. There are different natural raw materials used in making traditional ceramics. The chemical used in the composition should be carefully measured so that no defects occur. The main motive of the chemical is to remove impurities or contamination. There are basically six types of ceramic raw materials - silica sand, clay, feldspar, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sodium and calcium borates and zirconium silicate. In a sample of ceramics the chemical cauterization is done by X-ray fluorescence, potentiometer, coulometer and atomic absorption spectrometry. There are again different ceramics with their own unique compositions used for making electrical goods as well.

These are some of the materials used in making pottery and ceramics. Today lots of research is being carried out for development in the field of pottery making and ceramics. This research aims at making better quality pottery by including different chemical substances and other enhancements.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend only the best online stores for pottery making, antiques, and figurines.

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By Shirley Atkinson

Terra cotta flower pots make a bright and cheery pot for your favorite plants or whatever you want to use them for. I have mine sitting on my patio table with my favorite flowers. In the winter I put artificial flowers or greenery so my patio still looks cheery.

You can use just about anything you would like. Try using fabric, wallpapering, wrapping paper, old greeting cards or even making it patriotic. I used seed packets for mine.

For this project you will need

• Terra-cotta pot
• Mod Podge decoupage medium
• Decorations of your choice
• Scissors with decorative edge
• Sunflower seeds

Cut out the seed packets with your decorative scissors. Arrange them on the terra cotta flower pots in the design you want. Overlap them and you will need to cut them to fit. Paint the back of the packets with the mod podge and put them on the pot. When you have the pot covered with the packets then coat the entire outside with decoupage and let dry.

Using the decoupage, attach the sunflower seeds. When dry, paint the entire outside with 1 more coat of decoupage and allow to dry. You now have a finished terra cotta flower pot.These terra cotta flower pots really look nice when you use material like you would a quilt. Cut different shapes and colors and cover the entire outside. Patriotic pots can be done in red, white and blue material with stars and strips.

Use your imagination and you can come up with all kinds of ways to decorate your clay pots. You can paint them a very light blue and then paint flowers on them. If you can’t paint flowers you can always get decals to put on the pots. There are many beautiful decals on the market and they look like your have painted them yourself.

Shirley Atkinson Crafters Love Crafts http://www.crafterslovecrafts.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirley_Atkinson

By Victor Epand

In making porcelain, ceramic material is treated and heated and clay is included in the form of kaolinite. The temperature is between 200C to 1400C. The porcelain material is blazed at high temperature, so it is very tough, translucent, and high in strength. It is white polished cowry and its name is derived from the old Italian word porcella. Porcelain has the properties of low permeability and flexibility, high strength, solidity, glassiness, permanence, whiteness, fineness, significance, fragility, high resistance to chemical attack and thermal shock.

Tables, kitchen ware, sanitary items, fine art, tiles and decorative things are the items made from porcelain. It has a high resistance to the flow of current and therefore porcelain is a good insulating material. Dentists use porcelain in making false teeth, crowns, caps etc.

One material used in making porcelain ware is clay, but actually clay is used only in small proportions to the whole. The main materials used in preparing porcelain are highly variable, but china clay consisting of the mineral Kaolinite is often the most important ingredient. Other materials added with china clay for producing porcelain clay are steatite, glass, steatite, bone ash, quartz, petuntse, alabaster and ball clay.

According to the degree of plasticity the clays are described as long or short. Long clays are of higher plasticity and are sticky. Short clays are of lower plasticity and thus are not cohesive. Porcelain clays have lower plasticity compared to other clays which are being used in making pottery.

The method used for forming, decorating, finishing, glazing and firing ceramic wares is given below-

Forming: The porcelain pottery is formed by pulling clay upward and downward into the desired shape. It can also be formed on a wheel. The throwing of clay seems to be very easy when it is done by an expert potter. Mishandling of the workpiece can destroy the shape of the item.

Glazing: It has been considered that the initial glazes are unintended, and these are due to the existence in the furnace of lime-rich firewood ash, which proceeds to the exterior as a flux. The iron-containing glazes were designed especially for their prominent sound effects on porcelain.

Decoration: The porcelain wares are decorated with the help of cobalt and copper. In modern wares these are chowder-fired at 1000 Celsius, and then they are sent to glazed-firing at a temperature 1300 Celsius. In Chinese and European method both the process are done in single operation.

Firing: it is the process of heating unfired ceramics at high-temperatures in a furnace to prepare their final shapes. Compared to earthen ware or stone ware porcelain is always fired at a higher temperature to vitrify the clay and make it non porous.

There are basically three categories of western porcelain: hard-paste, soft-paste and bone-china. The divisions are made on the basis of the composition of the material (known as paste) used to form the body of porcelain.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend only the best online stores for porcelain pottery, porcelain antiques, and porcelain figurines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand

By Vernon Lee

We are all in need of a spiritual maker. We are clay in the hands of the potter. Clay is something that is easily molded, and influenced. In its original form clay is not hard to change. Clay is a material that can be used by the potter to create beautiful forms of art, plates cups and other useful things. Our lives are the same. We must let go and let God control every aspect of our lives. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Just to have clay lying around its worthless unless it is put into the potters hands. This can change when God uses you and directs our lives. God is skilled at molding and shaping people. The prophet Jeremiah reminded us that God always has a great work going on the potter’s wheel. Even though we have sin in our lives, God the potter does not throw us away, he puts us back on the wheel until we resemble his son Jesus Christ.

God’s silence is not our opportunity to continue in sin. It is a time given for us to repent and live victoriously over sin.

Some times it hurts to be molded, to be shaped and remade, but he that has preformed a good work in you shall perform it. If we let him God will make us into vessels of honor. In this life you will go through some things. This is your education, this is your learning. We must persevere in spite of the trouble that we have got ourselves into. Judah got caught up into to self and refused to be reshaped by God. They did not listen.

It’s good to be clay. Clay can be made over and repaired. God makes the ordinary into extraordinary.

The actual clay that I’m talking about is your heart. On the surface everything looks good. As a matter of fact we can make our clay vessels (bodies) to look like kings and queens. Looking good on the outside is easy. Only on the outside, but on the inside our hearts do not line up with our actions. This spiritual makeover occurs on the inside, this is where we make things right. God is willing to do some marvelous things for people who admit that they need to be made over. We have not because we ask not. Don’t be ashamed to ask for God’s help. Admitting that we are wrong is hard in life.

God is able to give us makeovers. What requires reconstruction in your life today? Whatever is going on in your life God can fix it. So I submit to you today an imaginary form with two boxes one that says yes I want a makeover or no I don’t. With God there is no in between, you can’t straddle the fence. You will let him make you over or you can remain in the same miserable condition that you are in. The potter is busy shaping lives and saving souls.

Born in Shreveoort Louisiana. Moved to Baton Rouge Louisiana at age 20. Now I live in Humble Texas. I have a B.A. in Philosophy. Currently employed by The Department of the Treasury. Married with Children. I love to write and tell stories. I am a church Deacon. Everyone that I meet is a friend. I see life as an opportunity to learn to explore and of course to write.

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