How to make a Unsalted Sea Pottery Garden Chime

Congratulations on your new piece from Unsalted Sea Pottery! Follow these simple steps to safely and beautifully display your pottery on your wall. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or looking for a little extra guidance, we've got you covered.

Materials

  • Clay
  • Clipboard
  • Rib tool
  • Tweezers
  • Foam sheets:
  • Straw and skewer/stick
  • Carrying case (to keep clay moist and protected)
  • Texture tools

Gather Natural Items

  • Look for objects that will leave strong impressions:
  • Leaves, grasses, small pieces of ground cover
  • Driftwood or a branch 
  • Tip: Use your carrying case while collecting item

(Please remember it is illegal to pick wild flowers in State Parks and National Parks or Lands)

MAKING YOUR CHARMS:

  • Find a flat, solid surface. 
  • Clip the foam sheet 9” x 12” to your clipboard. (Clay will not stick to the foam sheet.)
  • Wedge (knead) clay ball to remove air bubbles.( If necessary)
  •  Divide your clay into parts for each charm or for the sizes you have chosen.

  • Shape Your Charm

  • Form your clay into the desired shape for your charm, keep edges smooth and the size manageable.

Add Texture & Design

  • Use the natural materials you collected
  • Place them onto the clay and press firmly to create an imprint
  • Be careful not to distort the overall shape of your charm
  • Tip: Let the clay sit for about 30 minutes until it reaches a leather-hard stage (slightly firm). This helps it hold its shape while adding texture. Also, keep your charm around 1/4" thick, in all areas.

     

Add Hanging Holes

  • Use a straw to punch holes straight down.
  • Clear clay from the straw using a skewer before making the next hole.

  • Prepare for Storage

  • ​Place your finished charms into the container from your kit
  • Use small foam pieces to separate each charm
  • Cover with a larger foam sheet
  • Add paper or filler to keep everything secure
  • Important: Make sure charms don’t move around—this prevents damage during transport.

  • Return Form

  • ​Be sure you have filled out all the forms in the backpack! (This information will allow me to contact you with questions and return after firing.)

Return Kit

  • Return everything to the original location.
  • Complete all required forms so your finished tiles can be returned after firing.

    After Firing

  • Paint with acrylic or watercolor paints.
  • Seal with a protective finish (such as polyurethane).
  • Hang your wall piece and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

Wedging Clay

Wedging Clay is somewhat like kneading dough. Place your hands on the clay as shown in the picture. Push forward As you are turning the clay under your hands.

Leather Hard

Leather-hard is a stage in the drying process of clay where it has lost most of its moisture and is stiff enough to hold its shape.

Scoring & slip Clay

When attaching two pieces of clay together, you must score and slip both pieces. Scoring means making marks and roughing up the clay surface. Then, apply slip to the scored areas to act as a glue and securely bond the pieces together.