How to Make an ocarina mold out of clay, instructions on how to make a ceramic 10 finger hole sweet potato ocarina... Ocarinas - clay whistle flutes, sweet potato. Ceramic musical instruments.

Ocarinas by K. Dunster

Make a Simple
Ocarina Mold with Clay

Page Two






Shaping the Mold

(Click on pictures for a larger view)
pottery handbuilding-shaping the clay

Start by pressing and squeezing the clay into a rough approximation of an elongated "teardrop" shape. Be sure to not make any air pockets in the clay. During firing the air inside these would expand, and "explode," ruining the mold.

pottery handbuilding-paddling the clay2

Paddle the clay with the frosting knife (tool #4) to further refine the shape and to help flatten bumps on the the surface.

pottery handbuilding-smooth mold

Use the fettling knife (tool #3) to scrape the surface smooth, and to fill in dents and hollows.

pottery handbuilding-ocarina-flat bottom 4

When the shape is to your liking, flatten one side by gently thumping it on the table. Leave the clay form out in the air for an hour or so to firm up.


Next: Hollowing out the Mold >>


Clay Mold-Introduction and Tools 1 | Shaping the Mold 2 | Hollowing out the Mold 3 | Assembling the Mold 4 | Finishing 5 | Make an Ocarina using a Clay Mold | Plaster Ocarina Mold | Make an Ocarina with a Plaster Mold | Make an Ocarina Without a Mold | Glaze a Ceramic Ocarina | Glaze a Dragon Ocarina



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