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The Ceramics
Insider
06/23/04
Contents:Ceramics Insider Tip - Slip Flowers
Have you ever decorated a cake using frosting in a decorating bag
with a special tip? Even if you haven't, you can use the same technique for
making slip flowers!
To make slip flowers, start by pouring a cup or so
of slip into a small bowl. Add a drop of EZ Strokes Underglaze for color and
mix thoroughly. Be careful not to whip air into the slip. Now add one or two
drops of vinegar (to thicken) then mix again. When slip is thick enough to
stand in place it is ready to use. Attach a petal decorating tip (with a long
skinny opening) to make rose petals. Fill your decorating bag with the slip and
make a few practice flowers. You may not like the first few that you try -
unless you've make lots of frosting flowers before! If the flowers don't suit
you, just scoop them up and put them back in the bowl with the colored
slip.
It is best to have a base that turns as you work your petals
around the rose center. Use small pieces of waxed paper on a 'nail' head for
best results. Nails can be purchased at the same craft center where you find
your decorator bag and tips.
Flowers are made by building a cone of slip
as high as you'd like the flower center to be. This is usually not too high -
1/2" or so. After building the cone, hold the bag so the tip is nearly vertical
(straight up and down) squeeze the bag and turn the nail so that you are
pulling a petal around the rose center. To end the petal, stop squeezing and
lower the tip. This takes the petal downward like a real rose petal would be
shaped. Go back part way behind this petal to start the next one. Repeat this
process, slowly angling the tip outward so that the petals become more
horizontal as you add them.
This sounds complicated, but it really
isn't. It is easy and fun. When you get a rose that suits you, allow the slip
to dry enough that you can handle the flower. Then, lift the rose from the
waxed paper and add a small blob of slip to the base before placing the rose
onto your greenware. The results are well worth the effort.
Suggestion:
Use a Kemper PAS Patching Spatula to
lift roses and leaves for placement.
To make leaves, you will start
with basic slip and add green EZ Strokes Underglaze and a drop of vinegar. Mix
well. You will need a Leaf Decorating Tip. Starting at the base of the leaf,
squeeze the bag and build the base up. Slowly pull the tip towards you, raising
the tip slightly. As you pull away the leaf will form into a point. Make a few
practice leaves first, just to get the hang of it. Leaves are the easiest
things to do. When you have perfected your leaves make some directly on your
greenware near and around your roses. Or, if you'd rather, make leaves on waxed
paper and transfer to your greenware using a dot of slip to adhere.
To
add trailing vines, you can either use French Dimensions or a small round tip.
In this case, French dimensions might be easier to use because the colors are
consistent. Remember, French Dimensions can be used on greenware or
bisque.
Don't worry if you don't use all your slip in one sitting.
Thickened, colored, slip can be kept in a sealed container (clean cream cheese
container or margarine tub) and used again later.
If you're adventurous
you can try putting two colors in your decorating bag at the same time for
multicolor slip flowers or leaves. This can make exciting decorations and can
add a very natural look to your leaves and flower petals.
Check out the Wilton Cake Decorating website to learn more about
making roses and other flowers. If you don't have a local craft shop you can
even order the parts you will need to add this decorating technique to your
long list of accomplishments. Here is a link to get you started:
http://www.wilton.com/decorating/basic/roses.cfm
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