Delicate Place Card Holders

Porcelain clay has been used to create delicate, beautiful works of art for centuries. Create miniature gift sculptures such as these holders for name cards.

• 1.

  Porcelain clay is a beautiful white clay whose use was first developed in China. Delicate tableware and sculptures and strong electrical insulators and laboratory equipment are made with clay. Porcelain has two natural parts: kaolin (a pure white clay that is a byproduct of feldspar) and petuntse (a kaolin found only in China). Research the long history of porcelain in China.

• 2.

  To recreate the look and feel of porcelain, try easy-to-use Crayola® Air-Dry Clay. For example, you can make small sculptures, such as these place card holders for meals with guests. Do your sculpting on a clean, dry surface.

• 3.

  For each holder, form flower petals with small ovals of clay. Press several petals of various sizes together to form each flower. Bunch several flowers into a small bouquet. Add leaves to the base. If the clay starts to dry as you work, just add a bit of water.

• 4.

  On a small ball of clay, press a flat bottom. Press your flowers onto this base. Use a note card to make an angled indentation for a place card. Air-dry for at least 3 days.

• 5.

  Cover your art area with newspaper. Paint your card holder with Crayola Watercolors and Watercolor Brushes. Use as many coats as you need to achieve a delicate, porcelain-like effect. Air-dry the paint between coats.

• 6.

  Cut construction paper place cards with Crayola Scissors. Write each person’s name in fancy letters with Crayola Markers. What a beautiful way to celebrate a meal with your family or friends.

Benefits

• Children research the history of clay and the invention of porcelain in China.
• Children compare and contrast the attributes of porcelain clay to Crayola Air-Dry Clay.
• Children create unique, porcelain-like sculptures that make excellent gifts.

Adaptations

• Research the geology of China and determine the factors that allow for both kaolin and petuntse. Find out about China’s export of porcelain.
• Display vessels and other objects made with Chinese porcelain, both contemporary and historic. If possible, visit a museum to see examples. Watch a potter at work and follow the entire process for firing and decorating porcelain.
• Explore various traditional china objects and the imagery used in those objects. Assemble a collage with these images.
• Assessment: Observe whether children follow the steps and techniques described. Ask them to assess their own progress in making and decorating their place-card holders.