CERAMIC MUSIC BOX : 36 Steps

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.

Step 1: Supplies

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

Step 2: Music Box Supplies

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

Step 3: Ceramic Process

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

Step 4: Cut

carefully cut the shape

Step 5: Turn Into Cylinder

gently turn your clay into a cylinder shape

Step 6:

give about a 2" overlay of clay at seam.

Step 7: Bottom

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

Step 8: Attach Bottom

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!

Step 9: Lid

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

Step 10: Lid

Make a hole in the center of the top

Step 11: Dry

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

Step 12: Smooth Edges

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

Step 13: Topping

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

Step 14: Beak and Eyes

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)

Step 15: Attach the Beak

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.)

Step 16: Head

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

Step 17:

Step 18: Wings

I rolled a little clay and cut wing shapes

Step 19:

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

Step 20:

then I made little indentations in the clay for feathers.

Step 21:

Shaped the wings a bit more and he is done

Step 22: Dry

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

Step 23: Underglaze

Using underglazes paint your music box pieces.

Step 24:

Step 25: Glaze

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.

Step 26: Finishing Touches

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.