GUINEA PIGS

ASSEMBLED CLAY BELLS

CERAMICS I

clay, glazes, oxides, twine, copper & brass

Last year I saw some really cool and fun new ideas for Clay Bells on Pinterest

(haven't done these with the kids since the 1980's),

so I used my beginners to test these out.

It turned into a 3 part assignment and the students really seemed to enjoy it.

They had a choice of techniques on how to build the bell itself;

coil, pinch or slab.

Most chose pinch.

There were a few minimum requirements in the parts, glazing and assembly.

I was hoping for something recognizable on top of the bell

(perhaps to set a theme),

that it hang without falling apart (only one did),

that it clang without cracking or breaking,

that they make a few ceramics charms/beads for stringing in various places,

and that they learn how to work with copper/brass;

the cutting and deckling of its edges, and punching of holes thru it.

Let's see how they did.

This first one was built by senior Lauren Kennedy.

Lauren did work to a theme of birds and their feathers.

It was hard to photo these terrific bells because they are kinetic,

so it's hard to see the feather charms and brass pieces she cut that balanced the bell so well.

Next we have this super fun taco on top of his bell by senior James Park.

I also like the texture he put into the bell itself by stretching the clay,

and how the glaze breaks over it.. 

And senior Avanthi Dev came up with a really interesting form for her bell.

Feels a bit like an undersea creature.

So much fun!

Sophomore Olivia Krueger pulled off a very difficult coil inlay design on the side of her bell,

and then did a great job glazing her sundial on top.

Or is that an Aztec Calendar Olivia?

Whatever it is I love it!

Reminds me of all the beautiful designs I saw in Mexico City 

at the Museum of Anthropology back in the day (1980's).

This next one was made by senior Brian Aguirre-Hernandez.

I really liked how he turned his cooper piece into a mobile with lots of charms.

And senior Ashley Iseri never lets us down with her impeccable craftsmanship

and sensitive glazing.

Wish I could have caught her leaf still below

so you could see how nice the Rutile and Cobalt Oxides look together.

Of course we all loved junior Sarah Oh's bell.

She used a pinch technique to sculpt over.

We end with this cutie patootie by senior Vinaini Jayasinghe.

She also cleverly built a dangling mobile with her brass piece.

I am missing one bell by junior Vincent Nguyen.

I will try to get it up tomorrow.

Sorry Vincent!

Let's Torch It!

PRELIMINARY METAL AGING UNIT

INTERMEDIATE 3-D ART

copper, brass, aluminum, silver

A favorite unit of my intermediate 3-D kids is learning to work with metals.

Expensive?

A bit, but so creative and exciting.

They learn to use a propane torch to melt, anneal and patina the metal.

We also do two other patina recipes, one with vinegar, the other, ammonia.

They etch the metal, stamp it, puncture holes, set eyelets, deckle it.

The list is long, and a great project to end the year with.

These two pieces belong to junior Laarnie Barcelon.

Laarnie did this one below first to try out many of the techniques required.

Next she created this book, again bringing in so many of the techniques she learned in the unit.

Enjoy looking at her book from various angles.

Mixed Metals - Student Work

Senior Rita Labib made me the most gorgeous necklace to match hers.  We will be connected forever thru these and in our hearts.  Knock them out at Santa Monica kiddo!!  Show them what you've got up your sleeves.  :)