Coil It Together: Creating Custom Picture Frames

đź’­ Think About...

1. Why do you think people use frames for their photos or artwork? How do they enhance a picture?
2. Why do you think coils are a good choice for building a frame, instead of using flat pieces of clay?
3. Picture frames are a relatively modern invention, but people have been finding ways to display and protect their artwork for centuries. What kinds of materials do you think people used before picture frames were invented?
4. Throughout history, pottery and clay art have had cultural significance. For example, Native American pottery often told stories about nature, family, and heritage. How do you think art made from clay can reflect a culture's values and beliefs? What kind of stories could you tell through your picture frame’s design?
5. If you could make your frame, tell a story about a moment in time, what moment would you choose and how would you represent it with clay? How can you use coils, textures, or colors to represent a story or memory inside your frame?

🔨 Your Project

  1. Sketch Your Idea:

- On a piece of paper, sketch your picture frame design. Think about how you want it to look. Will you keep it simple, or add patterns and textures?

- What shapes do you want your coils to create?

- Decide the size your frame. You should have enough space in the center to fit a photo or artwork (around 3x5 or 4x6 inches). Consider how wide you want the frame's borders to be.

  1. Prepare your clay:

- Warm Up Your Clay: Knead your clay to make it soft and smooth. This helps remove air bubbles and makes the clay easier to work with.

- Roll Out the Clay Slab: Use a rolling pin to roll out a flat piece of clay. Make sure the clay is about 1/4 inch thick. You can use two pieces of wood or a ruler as guides to keep the thickness even.

- Cut Your Frame Shape: Use a knife or clay tool to cut out a square or rectangle for the outer part of the frame. Then, carefully cut out the inner part to create a window for your picture. This should leave you with a hollow frame.

  1. Create the coils:

- Roll Coils: Roll small pieces of clay between your palms to make long, even coils. You want the coils to be about the thickness of a pencil.

- Design the Frame Border: Start attaching the coils to the outer edge of your frame. You can lay the coils in a simple pattern, or stack them in a creative way to add texture. Use your fingers or a modeling tool to smooth the coils into the frame.

- Score and Slip: Before attaching each coil to the frame, make sure to score (scratch) both the surface of the frame and the coil with a fork or modeling tool. Then, apply a little water or “slip” to help them stick together. This will prevent the coils from falling off.

  1. Add Details and Texture:

- Texturize Your Frame: Add details to your coils and frame. You can use different tools, like the end of a pencil or a loop tool, to carve lines or patterns into the coils.

- Make Your Frame Unique: Consider adding other details, like small clay shapes or designs, to the surface of your frame.

- You could make a coil design around the edges, create raised patterns, or even create small sculptures on the frame like flowers, stars, or geometric shapes.

  1. Let Your Frame Dry

- Final Touches: Once you're happy with the design and texture of your frame, smooth out any rough edges.

- Double-check that all the coils are securely attached.

- Drying: Set your frame aside in a safe spot to dry completely. Air-dry clay can take 24–48 hours to fully dry, so make sure it is completely dry before you try to paint or decorate it.