In our house, the kitchen table is one of many art spaces. Just about everyday, especially with outside temps in the 90s, Annabelle and I settle down at our round kitchen table with whatever our materials of inspiration happen to be. This week it was clay; we set out to make nothing in particular . . . in fact, I’d read Cathy Weisman Topal’s Children, Clay and Sculpture and so encouraged Annabelle to focus more on exploring, squeezing, tugging at, poking, and rolling her clay . . . nothing need be produced from our materials . . .
To get started, I used an old hanger as a cutting tool to wedge the clay (removing large hunks of clay from the package and making sure that all air bubbles are pushed and pulled from it); together Annabelle and I slammed our hands into the clay, pushing, forcefully banging the clay, making lots of noise and relishing each and every bit of our clay commotion. I have to say that right about now, wedging seems to be a great way to release tension (yes, though I am still pretty zen about waiting for baby I do have my moments, :-) ).
We worked with our clay in pans, large turkey roasting pans left over from a Thanksgiving of past (yes, sigh, they are disposable).
I showed Annabelle how to flatten the clay with more forceful banging. I challenged her to a contest to see which of us could work our clay out flattest.
We rolled with our clay. We rolled it against our pans, between our hands; Annabelle called this “making worms.”
We made many, many worms (coils).
And from many, many worms, you’d be surprised what you can assemble.
Annabelle wanted to make her dad from the “worms,” piecing the coils together to look like a gumby stick figure . . . I guess he does look something like that . . .
I was feeling inspired too, so I made my own gumby figurine.
Annabelle also enjoyed rolling balls, pinching, and building with the clay; she created large towers, snow men, and lots and lots of food. Any ideas on good clay projects for us to bake and keep?
Last thing, if you’re interested in working with clay and aren’t able to find Topal’s Children, Clay, and Sculpture, KinderPlay has a helpful page introducing clay terminology and processes.
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Oh I have an idea, not with clay though… How about sugar cookies? A lot of the same motions can be done for molding cookies into shapes. And then the result is edible. You can even add some colorings or sprinkles to make it more fun. (And you can buy pre-made sugar cookie dough so you don’t have to make it yourself.)
Abbie, thank you, :-) Annabelle loves making sugar cookies (we made them last winter with her nanna). I think I can get a good recipe from my mom, but thank you for thinking of me (and how I’m not kitchen savvy, lol).
I wasn’t thinking you’re not kitchen savvy! Just very pregnant, and I’m guessing, HOT! :)
I’ve just found your blog and I love it! My kids love making playdoh. We also love making sugar cookies. I’m sure you’ll both have fun with that.
Real clay certainly feels so nice to work with!
Have you used beeswax? It also is really nice the smell, the texture, just warming it between your fingers and rolling and molding feels so good! Your photos are so pretty!
Jessica,
LOVE the BIG smile on your clay, “Gumby” figure! I take that as a good sign that you’re continuing to have fun. . . as . . . you . . . wait . . .
Hugs and good wishes your way!
Ruth
I miss my clay days with Ayden – I am hoping he gets re-inspired when his little sister comes of age with it. Thanks for sharing this!
That looks fun! I like what you wrote about letting Annabelle feel and explore the clay rather than producing something. Thanks for the link to KinderPlay, it looks interesting. Sunnyboy often uses play dough but you’ve inspired me to get some clay for him now :)
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