Music Boxes

Music Box Process

October 2023 course students are making music boxes. Here is an overview of how the music box will develop over the coming weeks.

1: Preparation
Students’ Homework for the next class:

• Design:
  Look for inspiration on my Pinterest site HERE.
  
• Template This determines the size and shape of your box. Cut it out from card or heavy paper.
  • The clay shrinks approx 10%. So add 10% to all of the final dimensions for your box
  • The box needs to be big enough to hold the mechanism
  • If you aren’t sure or don’t have time, I will have a ready-made template for a box that is 15x11x9cm.
  • These are the final dimensions for my music box. The templates would have been 10% larger than the final dimensions.
  • Notice that my lid was made separately with a pinch pot. You can also make a cylinder for the entire form and then cut it in two to make the lid
    

• You will decorate the box using:
  Underglazes: These are the small pots of paint you used on your mouse.
  Decals – Choose from:
  – Existing workshop stock
  – Custom made: If you want a more personal image, You will need to email me a good photo of it. The size of the decal will depend on the size of your box. We can talk about that in class. I will order the decals. There will be a small extra charge for this.

2. Make the box

Boxes are made from white earthenware clay using slabs, modelling, and pinch pot techniques.

3: bisque fire

4: Decorate with underglazes and apply clear glaze

5: Glaze fire

6: Apply decals

7: Decal fire

8: Insert the mechanism and let the music begin!