CERAMIC MUSIC BOX

A music box is a wonderful gift for just about anyone on your list. These are directions for making a ceramic music box with a rotating figure on top. If you dont have access to a kiln and ceramic supplies the process can be easily adapted to air dry clay and acrylic paints. 

Clay
rolling pin
4X16" template
lg. yogurt containr
er
music box insert  
turn table adapter
turn extender
underglaze
clear gloss glaze
cutting tool
sponge
brushes
glue

(I get my supplies from national art craft, but most craft stores carry music boxes)

roll clay for cylinder base of music box, fit 4X16 template

carefully cut the shape

gently turn your clay into a cylinder shape

give about a 2" overlay of clay at seam.

place cylinder on clay rolled enough to fit the size of the cylinder. cut an edge with about 1/5 inch edge.

reach inside cylinder and lightly hold clay around the bottom edge with you fingers. On the outside bottom edge gently push the clay up and press it against the bottom edge. Be sure your fingers are inside when you press or you may push the clay into an mashed shape!

roll clay big enough to fit the top of a large yogurt container. Carefully cut around the edge. 

Make a hole in the center of the top

Let the clay dry on a board. Do not put the lid on or it may cave in. 

when the clay is leathery or hard, use a sponge to smooth the edges

create a piece to place on top of the music box. I chose to make a bird. First I shaped the body and head out of the clay

I made the birds eyes and beak, when you make the beak or any piece of clay that you want to attach to another piece, gently score the clay (put small scratches in the clay) 

Then rub the scored area with a bit of slip (slip can be made by adding water to the clay and making it like paste, as a matter of fact when I work with clay, with my students I refer to slip as clay glue.)

next score the area on the body where the head will go.
use slip and attach the head.

I rolled a little clay and cut wing shapes

Next I scored the wings and used slip to attach them.

then I made little indentations in the clay for feathers.

Shaped the wings a bit more and he is done

Let all your pieces dry completely and then bisque the clay. 

Using underglazes paint your music box pieces.

When everything is dry, (over) glaze all your pieces. I recently started using this crazy color green glaze. It will fire clear and glossy but goes on bright green. I like to use it with my students because it is easy for them to see if they missed any areas of their work while applying their glaze. 

Fire your work in a kiln if you have access. If not follow these directions using air dry clay.
Add the extender to the turn style of your music box The clay of the lid id pretty thick so you need extra length to wind the music box.

glue the music box to the underside of the lid

next screw on the turn style 

glue piece to turnstyle

Place the music box lid on top of the cylinder and wind it up, your music box is complete!

These are other music box ideas!
This one plays, Frosty the Snowman

This one plays, "Im gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter"
And around the base it says, rest awhile, sit down, take a load off....