Mushroom Bird House

Designer: Bob Moreni

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Instructions

  1. Cast the molds in usual manner. After removing the Mushroom from the mold, pour some slip on a mold with a flat surface. While still wet set the Mushroom onto the wet slip and allow to set up. When Mushroom can be removed from the mold trim the excess slip around the edge of the Mushroom. This will create a solid bottom to the piece. Using a small piece o the trimming, roll a small ball to create a door knob.
  2. In the leather stage of the Mushroom, trace on the patterns being careful not to smash the Mushroom. Using the X Eacto Knife, cut out the opening for the Bird House (Do Not Cut out the windows). Using the Sgraffito Tool, carve the outline of the door and windows then scratch in a wood texture to each.
  3. Using the CD778 Flowers and Leaf Press Tool mold, using Cone 04 Low Fire Slip, cast 3 large leaves, 2 small leaves, 3 large daisy and 3 half daisy flowers. Or you can use Cone 04 Low Fire Clay to press the flowers and leaves out of the mold.
  4. Attach the Flowers & Leaves by scoring each piece and the area on the Mushroom they will go. One at a time, apply some slip to the back of the flower & leaves then attach to the Mushroom top. Clean up any slip that has oozed from under with a damp brush. Attach the door knob.
  5. Allow Greenware to dry! Clean the greenware with a Clean-Up Tool. Bisque fire to cone 04.
  6. Begin with properly fired shelf cone 04 bisque. Moisten a clean sponge and wipe bisque to remove any dust.
  7. Thin some S-2101 Crystal Clear Bushing Glaze in a small cup to the consistency of coffee cream. Pour the clear glaze inside the Mushroom and gently roll the glaze around to coat the inside surface, Drain all excess glaze. Allow to dry!
  8. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 3 coats of SC-16 Cotton Tail to the daisy petals and 3 coats of SC-42 Butter Me up to the daisy centers. Shade the flower centers with SC-97 Cant-elope.
  9. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 3 coats of SC-27 Sour Apple to all the leaves. Shade the leaves with SC-8 Just Froggy on the outer edges of the leaves. Using a CB-110 #10/0 Liner, add the vein lines to the leaves with SC-8 Just Froggy.
  10. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 1 coat of SC-34 Down To Earth to the door and windows trim. Allow to dry! With a damp sponge wipe back the SC-34 Down to Earth from the door and windows leaving the color in the crevices. Allow to dry!
  11. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 2 coats of SC-25 Crackerjack Brown to the door and window trim. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 2 coats of SC-88 Tu Tu Tango to the door.
  12. Using a CB-202 #2 Detail Liner, apply 2-3 coats of SC-15 Tuxedo to the window centers and to the door knob.
  13. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 3 coats of SC-24 Dandelion to the Mushroom stem and under the Mushroom top. Shade the crevices under the Mushroom top with SC-88 Tu Tu Tango.
  14. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner and a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 3 coats of SP-288 Speckled TuTu Tango to the mushroom top being carful going around the flowers and leaves.
  15. Using a Sponge, sponge the very top and the edge of the Mushroom top with 2 coats of SC-24 Dandelion to give a slight highlight.
  16. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, drybrush some SC-27 Sour Apple around the bottom of the Mushroom to create grass. Without cleaning the Brush, pick up some SC-8 Just Froggy and go over the SC-27 Sour Apple to give a two tone grass look.
  17. Using a CB-604-4 Soft Fan, apply 1 coat of S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing Glaze to the outside of the Mushroom. Allow to dry!
  18. Stilt and fire to shelf cone 06.
  19. Add string of choice to hang the Bird House.

Supplies

Form

  • CD778 Flowers & Leaves Press Mold
  • CD1419 8” Mushroom

Colors

  • SC-8 Just Froggy
  • SC-15 Tuxedo
  • SC-16 Cotton Tail
  • SC-24 Dandelion
  • SC-25 Crackerjack Brown
  • SC-27 Sour Apple
  • SC-34 Down To Earth
  • SC-42 Butter Me Up
  • SC-88 Tu Tu Tango
  • SC-97 Cant-elope
  • SP-288 Speckled Tu Tu Tango
  • S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing Glaze

Decorating Accessories

  • CB-106 #6 Script Liner
  • CB-110 #10/0 Liner
  • CB-202 #2 Detail Liner
  • CB-604 #4 Soft Fan 

Miscellaneous Accessories

  • Foam Plates for Palette
  • Paper Towels
  • Water Bowl
  • Small Cup
  • Clean-Up Tool
  • Low Fire Cone 04 Slip or Low Fire Cone 04 Clay
  • E Xacto knife 
  • Sgraffito Tool
  • Sponge
  • Water
  • Pattern

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