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Tristyn’s Ceramic Volkswagen Bug

Tristyn’s Ceramic Volkswagen Bug

Hi Everyone,

Tristyn, my niece, and I enjoyed making this Volkswagen bug for her dad. I helped her along the way to get the proportions right. The bug was pretty big in the unfired clay but we knew that it would shrink quite a bit once it dried and was fired.

Tristyn with the unfired wet clay ceramic Volkswagon bug.

Tristyn with the unfired wet clay ceramic Volkswagon bug.

The inside needed to be carved out because there was a lot of air bubbles trapped in the clay since the bug was constructed so quickly. In order to help the Volkwagen bug not to explode in the kiln, holes were poked all over underneath to allow gases to escape when heated during firing.

The inside was carved out and holes poked into it so it would fire better.

The inside was carved out and holes poked into it so it would fire better.

Glaze firing had to be done in my big kiln because of my long stem rose.

Glaze firing had to be done in my big kiln because of my long stem rose.

I like how the glaze turned out with the spots on the glass. It makes it look like old glass. Also, having the tires low in air and almost flat is cute. I think it adds to the character. Tristyn wanted to leave them looking that way so it looks like an old bug.

Volkswagon ceramic bug without the chrome painted.

Volkswagon ceramic bug without the chrome painted.

Tristyn painted the chrome with acrylic paint. I would love to know about a ceramic glaze that looks like chrome metal but I haven’t found one as yet.

Tristyn paiting the chrome unto her fired ceramic car.

Tristyn paiting the chrome unto her fired ceramic car.

Here’s the finished Volkswagen bug all finished and painted. It came out so well I think. I just knew that her dad would love it and he did!

Side view of Volkswagon bug.

Side view of Volkswagon bug.

David's bug that Tristyn looked at to make his ceramic bug.

David's bug that Tristyn looked at to make his ceramic bug.

David and his buddy Tim at a car show showing off their Volkswagen bugs.

David and his buddy Tim at a car show showing off their Volkswagen bugs.

The glazed ceramic Volkswagen bug is finished!

The glazed ceramic Volkswagen bug is finished!

David’s license plate on his real bug has gold letters with a black background so Tristyn wanted to replicate that. She wrote “Daddy” on the license plate and it turned out very eye catching.

The Volkswagen bug says "Daddy" on it's license plate.

The Volkswagen bug says "Daddy" on it's license plate.

Tristyn's card for her dad has a smiley face with a candy in his mouth.

Tristyn's card for her dad has a smiley face with a candy in his mouth.

Gift bag that Tristyn used to put bug into.

Gift bag that Tristyn used to put bug into.

David was really surprised and happy as you can see here in the picture. Notice his baseball cap and how it has the Volkswagen logo on it. He really is a fan! So maybe one day his little ceramic bug will be worth something as a collectors item. :-)

David was very happy to get his clay Volkswagen bug gift!

David was very happy to get his clay Volkswagen bug gift!

Even though this picture is blurry it shows how they were having a good time right after David got his gift.

Tristyn gave her ceramic Volkswagen bug to her dad.

Tristyn gave her ceramic Volkswagen bug to her dad.

Teaching kids (and adults) how to sculpt and watching their joy of creating is just about as much fun as sculpting for myself. Hope you enjoyed seeing the pics.

~Tamara

5 Responses to “Tristyn’s Ceramic Volkswagen Bug”

  1. ZooDoc says:

    Very nice! ZD

  2. Trudy Enderle says:

    I AM INTERESTED IN CERAMIC MOLD FOR ORIGINAL VW BEETLE. I NEED SAME FOR A SENIOR CENTER CERAMIC GROUP.

  3. Charlotte A Siegfried says:

    I am looking to make a ceramic volkswagen bug

  4. Charlotte A Siegfried says:

    I am looking to make a ceramic volkswagen bug near Pittsburgh, Pa.

  5. Jeanette says:

    This looks great! Overglaze or China glaze will give you the desired metallic look.

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