VALENTINE NIGHT-LIGHT

A different type of Valentine for the one you love...
A ceramic night light.

Clay
rolling on
4X16 template
Large yogurt container
clay cutting tool
clay sponge
underglazes
paintbrushes
glaze
glue
nightlight insert
bulb small wood discs 
Starbucks straw access to a kiln

*****If you dont have access to a kiln and ceramic supplies this project can be done using air dry clay and acrylic paints.

I purchased my night light insert from National Art Craft , you can find them on line. I also use these little wooden discs to lift the base of the nightlight  so the cord has room.

Roll the clay large enough to fit your 4X16" template

cut clay

I use the big fat starbucks straw to make several holes in my clay to eventually let the light escape. 

carefully roll the clay slab into a cylinder

fold in approx. 2" when making cylinder

roll clay large enough to fit the cylinder then cut away excess clay leaving about 1/2 inch extra

remove extra clay. then reach inside base with one hand and carefully put pressure along the bottom edge of the piece while pushing the clay on the outside to meet the 
cylinder. It is important to have your hand inside. if not you will crush your pot.

Once the bottom is on grab a 
glue stick (or anything that you can punch out a hole in the bottom, about the size of a quarter)... to eventually use to insert the night light fixture.

roll your clay large enough to fit the top of the large Yogurt container. cut around the top

Place the night light base a lid on a board to dry

When the clay begins to harden or get leathery, use a wet sponge to clean up and smooth the edges of the base and lid.

Begin to create your decoration for the top of the nightlight. I wanted to make a whimsical figure so I started by hand building the bottom of the body.

now my little character is standing

B
Next I went to work on the head. I made the face (Eyes, nose, mouth)

In order to attach the head I score the clay, scoring is 
done by putting tiny scratches into the clay piece. 

next cover the scor marks with slip, slip is just very wet clay.  Add water to the clay dust and make a paste. when I am working with my kids I refer to the slip as clay glue because that is what it does, it glues your pieces together. If you dont use the slip as your piece dries the clay will shrink and the pieces will break apart. 

I made more pieces with the clay....arms, a hat, a flower, and a heart

Using the scoring and slip technique I assembled the figure

allow plenty of time for the clay to dry, then fir it to a bisque.

paint your bisque pieces with underglazes.

glaze all your pieces of the night light. I use this crazy green colored glaze made by Duncan. It fires clear...... I like to use it with my kids because it is so obvious if they miss a spot while applying the glaze. 

assemble the night light before firing. The glaze will act like glue in the kiln and the pieces will be attached when done. 

when fired, insert the night light fixture into the hole in the bottom of the base

glue the wooden disks o the bottom of the night light to raise it up a bit to allow space for the electrical cord 

more night lights...gifts for all occasions!