Porcelain-Like Dove

Subject: Porcelain-Like Dove Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:05 pm

Porcelain-Like Dove

A white, flying dove with the look of porcelain is a decorative medallion which can be used in a variety of ways Like hanging from the Christmas Tree

The Dove is made from Bread Clay
the same consistency and smoothness as plastic modeling clay.
After several days the clay hardens into a tough, non-brittle surface that can be painted with enamels or acrylics

Ingredients for clay include.

3 slices white bread from a Family Size loaf or 4 slices from a 1 pound loaf

3 tablespoons white glue

1 teaspoon glycerine

3 drops lemon juice

This amount of clay will make several birds.

Cut crusts from bread slices. Tear bread into very small pieces. Add remaining ingredients, stir with spoon until clay leaves sides of bowl and works into ball. Continue to work and knead until clay is smooth and pliable. At first the clay will seem very soft and sticky. As you continue to knead the stickiness will gradually disappear and change to a smooth, plastic texture. When clay is ready, place in plastic bag then into airtight container and store in refrigerator. It will remain usable for several weeks. Take out only as much as you need.

Roll a walnut sized piece of clay between palms until smooth round ball is formed

Place ball on waxed paper, between 2 1/8 inch thick pieces of hardboard or paneling. Using dowel, or rolling pin, roll clay to thickness of boards.

Make patterns for bird head, body piece and wings, Place pieces of pattern on clay. Trace with needle or corsage pin to cut head/body piece and two wings

With a knitting needle or similar blunt, rounded instrument indent beak, eye and feather markings on one side of pieces. Turn pieces over and indent markings on other side. Press gently so as not to flatten side already indented.

In one wing only, make hole for hanging thread by pressing end of plastic drinking straw through wing at place indicated on pattern. Press straw straight down, twist and lift out plug of clay.

Let pieces dry for an hour or so.

Use white glue to adhere wings to body. Support head, tail and lower body with 1/8 inch thick piece of cardboard so these parts rest on same plane as lower wing. Slip a piece of cardboard between wings to keep them in place as bird dries.

To keep bird from warping or drying too rapidly at edges, mix equal parts of white glue and water for sealing glaze. Brush over entire top surface of bird. Run line of glaze around edge of upper wing where it contacts the body to further cement two pieces together. Let glaze dry. Brush on two more coats, drying between coats. Turn bird over, apply three coats of glaze, drying between coats.

Place bird on several thicknesses of paper towel, replace cardboard support pieces and leave undisturbed until bird is thoroughly dry. This may take several days. Depending on temperature and humidity.
When dry, paint bird using white acrylic paint for matte finish or white hobby enamel for high gloss finish.

For hanger, cut piece of gold cord 8 inches long. Double cord and tie ends into overhand knot. Pass hanger loop through hole in wing, slip knotted end through loop and tighten around edge of wing.