The document provides instructions for making a clay slab house facade in 10 steps: 1) Cut paper patterns for the house and roof under 5x8 inches; 2) Place patterns on a clay slab and cut around them; 3) Score and attach the roof to the house with clay slip; 4) Flip it over and secure the back; 5) Fill in gaps; 6) Smooth the surface; 7) Cut windows, shutters, doors from extra clay; 8) Add texture to roof and shutters; 9) Add a hole to hang it; 10) Let it dry before bisque firing for strength. Additional details are provided on adding pieces, textures, storing works in progress, and vocabulary.

1. How to make a clay slab house
façade.
Clay slab method.

2. Step 1: Cut out a paper pattern for your house and for
your roof. Your house cannot be any bigger
than 5x8 inches when the roof is attached!

3. Make sure your patterns don’t measure any bigger than
5 x8 inches when they’re put together.

4. Step 2: Put pattern(s) on clay slab.

5. Step 3: Use clay tool to cut around each pattern.
Press firmly to cut through the clay.

6. Step 4: Use a clay tool to score the two
edges you are attaching together.

7. Step 5: Add clay slip to the edges you are
attaching together.

8. Step 6 : Use clay slip to permanently attach the roof
to the house and strengthen the seam.

9. Step 7: Flip it over and secure the back with
clay slip as well.

10. Step 8: Fill in with extra clay if there are any
gaps.

11. Step 9: Use a sponge to smooth out the surface so you
can’t see where the roof was attached.

12. Step 10: Use your clay tool to cut
windows, shutters, shingles, and a door
from your extra clay.

13. You may want to cut many of the same shapes to
create a pattern.

14. Remember…
Whenever you want to permanently add something
to your house you’ll need to score it and slip it!!!

15. You can add doors, windows, shutters, bricks, and
shingles. Use your clay tool to blend the clay together to
make sure everything is firmly attached.

16. Adding Texture
Use a clay tool to add texture to the
roof, shutters, etc.

17. Use a round clay tool to press a hole through the top of the
house so you can hang it once it is kiln fired and glazed.

18. Try creating a variety of textures to embellish your
artwork.

19. If you are finished for the day but want to work
on it again, slide your house into a zip-lock bag
so it stays soft. Be sure to seal it!

20. Don’t forget to put your name on the bag!

21. Finishing Up
•Put your clay scraps into the bag
too.
•Seal the bag.
•Carefully place your bag on the
shelf.
•Clean your work area before you
leave.
•If you are totally finished you can
let it dry outside the bag.

22. Once it’s had time to dry it’s ready for bisque
firing!
(Bisque firing is necessary to gain structural strength).

24. Vocabulary Words
• architect: a person who designs and makes plans for
buildings.
• slip: muddy, liquid clay used to attach two pieces.
• score: to make marks on the clay to attach two pieces.
• slab: a flat, rolled out piece of clay.
• coil: a rope of clay, rolled out with your fingers.
• kiln: used to heat the clay to make it permanent. It gets over
2000 degrees!
• firing: heating the clay to make it permanent.
• bisque fire: firing at a low temperature to gain structural
strength. Prior to glaze application.
• sculpture: a three-dimensional work of art.
• leather hard: clay in a semi-dry state, similar to leather.