The Ceramics Studio led a super engaging one-hour workshop during a  birthday party for seventeen 5 to 11 year-olds.  The workshop allowed the party goers to choose between one of three Mine Craft characters. Below is the step-by-step tutorial for the reptile.

HERE ARE THE STEP-BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW YOU TOO CAN BUILD YOUR OWN MINECRAFT REPTILE OUT OF CLAY

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Supplies needed:

• Clay
• 1/2” wire mesh material (called “hardware cloth”) used for screens or animal cages
• basic clay tools or a kitchen knife
• rolling pin or slab roller

Step 1:
Roll out your clay in a 1/2 inch thickness

Step 2:
Push the wire mesh material into the top side of your slab to imprint the slab with the square grid pattern.

Step 3:
Cut your pieces out like this:

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Step 4:
Start by forming the body that’s a box shape.

Assemble the pieces together by scoring each side (creating a raked-like surface), and applying slip. (a watered down clay substance the thickness of frosting)

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Step 5:
Press the pieces snugly into position.

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Step 6:  Score and slip the legs and feet and press firmly into position.

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Use something to balance the figure while attaching the legs and feet on the other side.

Step 6:
Draw in the extra lines on the head and jaw, and cut out the eye.  Then score, slip and press pieces into place using something for support.

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Figure 10  Image shows reptile head upside down and temporarily supported by a wood stick while pressing pieces into place.

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Final shown here (before firing) the piece can later be glazed.