Ceramic Jewelry Box Part 1
Making a domed lid for the jewelry box
I don’t know why I haven’t done this before, but I finally broke away from the square! The idea came to me in a dream – okay, maybe not a dream but a lucid day dream. Then, unexpectedly, I received an email from super talented Texas painter, Jean Levert Hood, who was interested in a custom covered box for her sister’s birthday. Now, I normally don’t do special requests (it’s too much like homework to me), but given her timing, I said, “Sure, as long as I can experiment a bit….”
Box with domed lid before cutting lid off
I set out to create a two level jewelry box that was longer than wide with a domed lid since I liked the square one I made recently. This is white ^6 stoneware and measures 6″w x 5″h (with dome, walls are 4″ hight) x 4″d.
Bottom interior of jewelry box
I like solving design challenges. When I decided to create a 2 tier box, I had to create a support system for the top level of the box since an insert will sit on top of the bottom level. What you don’t see in the photo above are the side supports. I added those after I placed the insert in and found that it wobbled.
The divided tray will form second layer inside the jewelry box
Since I’ve already closed up the box, I don’t have any photos of the 2nd level insert inside the box. I’ll be cutting the lid off today or tomorrow, and will have to give you that view a later day. Initially, I didn’t want to put a divider in the second level, but I found out that I needed something to grab onto to make lifting it out easy.
Jean is really easy going in regards to this project – she did tell me that her sister loves bunnies and butterflies which I am going to incorporate into the design. Then there’s the issue of color - I’d hate to make this purple if her sis hates the color. I am going to use a turquoise under-glaze and will also be using the white of the clay. I’m looking forward to seeing how this one develops – so I had better hop to it!
Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with this video. If you keep up with me on Facebook, you may have already seen this one. It makes me laugh, so just in case you need a giggle, here ya go:
Have a good day everyone,
~Cynthia
christy
February 18, 2009 at 12:02 pm //
thanks for sharing–both the box and the kitty!
looking forward to seeing it finished.
christy
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:50 pm //
Thanks, Christy! Fingers crossed, it will turn out a-ok….
Eva
February 18, 2009 at 3:00 pm //
How did she manage to reach that high pitch? A candidate for the opera when grown up!
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:49 pm //
It took me a minute to get what you meant…hah – she’s just like a little girl, isn’t she?
mel
February 18, 2009 at 3:59 pm //
do you plan to fire these two pieces separate? or are you going to nest the drawer inside the box during the firing?
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:48 pm //
Hey Mel, absolutely firing them together! That was one of my challenges – making the insert small enough to fit inside the parent box and also constructing it to size so that it won’t get stuck after firing (and shrinkage).
Linda Starr
February 18, 2009 at 6:37 pm //
You are definitely the queen of hand built boxes and this is another great one. Can’t wait for your special touches and the glaze reveal.
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:46 pm //
I wonder why I have a hang up with covered boxes? What am I repressing?
Mary T.
February 18, 2009 at 6:42 pm //
So are you going back to school, or is the business picking up!? Either way it all sounds pretty good.
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:45 pm //
Hey Mary – I hope to go back to school. I always enjoy a good challenge!
Jean Levert Hood
February 18, 2009 at 8:32 pm //
OhMyGoodness! It looks so awesome Cynthia! Of course, I knew it would be!
The 2 tiered box is a great idea. I’m thrilled to be a part of this new vision of yours. I know my sister will just love it totally.
Your beautiful pottery has created many wonderful gifts for me. I know this one will be very special too!
…and now, I’m off to see the kitty video next.
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:44 pm //
Undaunted
February 18, 2009 at 9:23 pm //
The jewelry box looks great! I can’t wait to see how you decorate it. Everything you make always looks so neat and clean with lovely smoothed edges – perfect!
The video was… strange… but funny!
Cynthia
February 18, 2009 at 9:55 pm //
Ahhh, you’re too flattering, Linda!
Undaunted
February 18, 2009 at 10:23 pm //
You too! Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog Cynthia! You just missed the latest update – I just received email notification of your comment as I hit “publish” for my next post!
Am I right in assuming you are taking part in the give-away?
Ben Stark
February 19, 2009 at 6:12 am //
You’re handbuilding skills never cease to amaze me! I would never even consider tackling a piece like that! Can’t wait to see it finished
Cynthia
February 19, 2009 at 10:15 am //
Let’s hope it fires A-OK!