One of our favorite things to make with clay is wall bows! It takes a little bit of patience, and lots of practice, but it’s well worth the final result. If you’ve ever stopped by our Portland storefront and wanted to replicate our iconic bow wall, here’s how to get started.
Since this is just decorative (and not for food use) you can use ceramic, polymer, or even air dry clay.
You'll need:
- clay of choice
- cloth canvas or a cut piece of denim to work on
- rolling pin or other large cylinder object for rolling (an empty jar or wine bottle works well)
- sharp pencil or pin tool
- sponge or soft paper towel
- small cup of water
- piece of paper + pencil for template
- kiln, craft, or jewelry wire for adding wall hook
1. Roll out a 1/4 inch thick slab
2. Create a template similar to the one above. We call it a "mustache" but as long as the shape is similar, it should work. This will make up the bow's "top". The larger the bow, the larger the template you'll need.
3. Using a very sharp pencil or a pin tool, trace and cut out the template from your clay.
4. Smooth, and if needed, very lightly moisten the edges of your newly cut piece.
5. Carefully fold in, and pinch ends of your bow's top.
6. Gently press ends together. This will be the top of the bow. Next you'll add "tails" to your bow.
7. Cut out two strips from your slab of clay. These will be the "tails" of your bow. You can cut the tails wider, longer, etc, depending on the aesthetic you're after.
8. Cut a smaller strip of clay from your slab and wrap around the top's center. This secures the ends and gives your bow a polished look.
9. Gently blend the seam with your fingertips.
10. Layer your clay tails/strips from earlier like so, then gently press them together with your fingertip.
11. Using a sharp pencil or pin tool, give the ends of your tails a decorative cut.
12. Score (gently scratch) both pieces at the attachment point. Make sure to score along the seam for a cleaner finish.
13. Gently press the top and the tails together. The back should look like above.
14. Lay your bow flat, seam side down, wherever you intend to let it dry.
Add dimension to your bow by gently adjusting the tails, and adding curves.
15. Create a "U" shape from your kiln, craft, or jewelry wire (depending on the clay you're using). Gently press the hook into the top of your bow, pokey sides first, leaving the curve exposed. This will act as your hook!
If you're using ceramic clay, fire and glaze.
For all other clay follow instructions on the packaging.
Congrats! You've made your very own wall bow! You can experiment with different shapes, sizes, and styles. Make the perfect one for your space or create an entire bow wall (and don't forget to tag us, we LOVE seeing your work! We might even feature it in our newsletter).
Looking for video tutorials? Watch our entire Clay Time series
here.
Ready to try your hand at clay but want some gentle guidance?
Sign up for one of our in-person
workshops hosted at our storefront in Portland, Oregon. They're an easy and fun way to learn about clay and connect with your local community.
And remember, it's about the process, not the product!
