Of all the craft mediums available clay would have to be the most versatile.
The range and scope of using clay knows no bounds, the possibilities are only limited by your Imagination.
Here a few ideas to help jump-start you in the pursuit of preserving your
baby's handprints.
Your
babies handprint impression in clay tiles
What Type Of clay can I use
A relatively simple question. But the answer can be quite complex. To simplify
it as much as possible here's what you need
A Low to Medium fire clay, with good plasticity and Smooth finish, That
will not shrink too much during the drying and firing process. A clay that
can be decorated with colored clay slips and different Glazes
A good clay to start your babies handprint impression in would be
Lagunas© WC-401 B mix 5 which is a Medium
firing clay, and should be readily available from a good craft shop near
you. It is also highly recommended in alot of clay-craft forums.
For those that that want to know more about clay crafts we have provided
the following links to sites specializing in different areas of clay
Find out more about Clay
here!
Information on Firing
Clay here!
Prepare your clay first
The trick is to make sure that the clay is VERY soft.
Then roll it into a slab (6mm to 12mm – 1/4” to 1/2 “
inch) thick. Any thicker than 15mm and you run the risk of your tile developing
surface cracks as it dry's.
(Put the clay on wax paper when rolling) and keep it covered with plastic
in a dark cool place until you're ready to use it. You could also have several
slabs pre-rolled ready to go. (See Tip #1)
Now you are ready for the next step
Making your handprint impression clay
Remember the clay will be quite cool to touch and you’ll find that babies and little kids will curl up their hands when they touch it. So you have to be very quick and press firm enough before they do. It will take a while for them to get used to it before you get good prints. (See Tip #2)
Now take one of your all ready prepared slabs and taking it over to your
subject take hold of their hand and place it in the top 2/3's of the tile
press it firmly into the clay to the desired depth usually only a few millimeters.
then starting at the top peel it slowly away from the hand. There you have
it your 1st Baby Handprint Crafts
Impression in Clay
You can now inscribe their name and date etc. in the lower 1/3
Drying and Firing Your handprint impression in clay
You will need to dry your handprint impression clay tile evenly and slowly,
To do this you could put it inside a plastic grocery bag with a small opening
at the top, high above the top of the clay.
As the water evaporates from the clay, it cools and moistens the air in
the bag surrounding the clay.
Center cone shows correct Firing
The cool moist air sinks, filling the bag. The slight opening in the top
permits a slow air exchange with warmer, drier air, so that the clay dries
and shrinks slowly, evenly, and with less stress to the clay.
After the clay has dried enough to loose plasticity, and it will change
to a lighter color, you can usually finish drying it in the open air. Until
completely dry
Your babies' handprint impression on clay is now ready to be glazed
and kiln fired to the correct cone temperature for what ever clay base you
have used.
Your
babies' handprint impression on clay mugs, plates and plaques.
This idea is much easier than starting from the ground up :-) And just as much fun. First off choose what you would like to put baby's handprint on. It could be a mug that goes to work with you each day, or maybe a plate that stands proud on it's stand on the mantle piece. Possibly a plaque that can be given as a keepsake, or perhaps even a tile that can be used to decorate babys wash up area.
No matter what you decide the basics are the same for each type of clayware.
Either a greenware or bisque-ware in the desired form
a soft brush
ceramic under glaze in the desired color
clear glaze to finish off and seal your clay item
You can get all these materials at your local craft center and order green or bisque ware beforehand, as they may not be available straight away.
Throughly Clean the item you choosen to decorate and wash the baby’s hands with soap and dry well.
Paint a single coat of colored glaze lightly across the palm and fingers keep the fingres apart so that the hand prints realy stand out on your item. Ensure that the hands are steady and then gently press the palm and fingers evenly for the full hand impression. To commemorate this event, paint your baby’s name and date of birth alongside the handprint.
Next, you must let the item dry and then fire it before you put on a coat of clear glaze. Your traditional baby handprint impression in clay is now ready for display.
(Tip#1)
Get hold of some plywood and cut it into squares. Approximately
4”- 6” square for babies and toddlers.
And 7” – 12” square for older kids, Teens and Parents.
Finish of by smoothing off the edges with some sandpaper paint to seal the
wood let dry properly.
Cover the top of the plywood squares with greaseproof paper. So that the clay, doesn't stick. Now put the clay onto the backing you just prepared, roughly in the center, gently push and pat the clay spreading it over the whole area. Using firm even strokes roll out the clay to the desired over all thickness, leaving a flat smooth surface on top.
Next using a craft knife trim off the excess and over
hangs, flush with the edge of your backing board.
(Tip#2)
Before you take the babies handprint impression, be
sure you take several minutes getting them used to the coolness and texture
by giving them a ball of clay to hold and feel.
This will give you much better results than going in cold ;-)