Clay Puzzling: Playing in the Mud

Everyone knows that being creative can get a little messy at times, and no one knows this better than children.  Clay Puzzling is a kid-friendly handbuilding technique that is easy, fun and well...a little messy!  So get ready to get dirty and give Clay Puzzling a try. 

Clay Puzzling is piecing together small chunks of clay to create a larger shape - just like putting together pieces of a puzzle! 

Clay Puzzling Step-by-Step

1. Select a bisque shape as your mold.  Look for a shape with a flat bottom, so that your piece won't wobble. (We used the Lafayette Salad Plate and Barcelona Bowl)

2. Select your clay.  Cut off a slab of clay using Wire Clay Cutters.  Roll part of the slab into a coil.

3. Cut your coil into pieces using Clay Sculpting Tools.  Roll each piece into a ball.

4. Press your ball into your mold.  Then squish another ball next to it, slightly overlapping.  Continue in this pattern until your entire mold is covered.

5. Use a wet Hydra Art Sponge to smooth over areas of your shape to give it a finished look.

6. Cover your Clay Puzzling masterpiece with plastic so it doesn't dry out too fast.  Once completely dry, you can fire it according to the instructions for your clay.
7.  After the initial firing, use Duncan Courtyards and Concepts to paint your piece.  Fire a second time to cone 06.

We thought Clay Puzzling was the perfect technique to discuss for the first blog edition of The Dirt since it is especially "dirty"!  And even though I am supposed to be an adult now that I just got married and am almost 30, we all have a little kid inside of us and it is refreshing to let it out every now and then.  So no matter your age, go get your hands dirty.  But let me warn you, Clay Puzzling can be addictive!

Veiw Materials list at:  Clay Puzzling