Use any model of shoe you like for this clay project.
An old, weather-beaten shoe is a great subject for a ceramics project. Getting the broad shape of the shoe will require the same kind of sculpting skills that are required when realizing the contours of a pot and other, more directly practical clay projects, while showing the weathering on the surface will require fine detail work and use of glazes.
Instructions
1. Roll out a slab of clay 1 inch thick. Lay the shoe on top of it and use the craft knife to cut around the sole. Remove the excess clay.
2. Cut a shape for the heel of the shoe if the shoe you are using as a model has a raised heel. Score the surface of this shape and the space on the sole where it will be fixed, wet both surfaces with slip, and press together, smoothing one surface into the other with your fingertips. Turn the sole over.
3. Cut a section of clay for the shape of the toe. Taper the edges and apply the shape to the toe using the score and slip method described in the previous step. Making the toe of the shoe solid rather than hollow like the rest of the shoe will help to support the other sections.
4. Roll out some clay to 1/4 inch thick. Cut panels with the craft knife that match the panels of leather or fabric the shoe is made from. Position these on the sole and rub the joins together, again applying scoring and slip to their bases. Run your hands gently around the outside to shape the shoe to match the model.
5. Use the handle of the knife to help you squeeze the panels into the tighter curves and wrinkles from your model. Score wrinkled sections of the shoe, rub scuffed sections over with the scouring pad and rub the sponge across the others to smooth them out.
6. Allow the shoe to dry and bisque fire the piece to harden it (see Resources). Look at your model, as some sections, particularly those inside wrinkles, will still be quite shiny and smooth while the scuffed section will not be. Paint glaze over the smooth sections and fire again.
