17 Jan How to Make a Clay Model of an Octagonal Cigar Ash Tray

As we work our way through the book,  A Manual of Clay-Modelling, I sometimes stop and laugh at the models chosen. This week it was a clay model of an octagonal cigar ash tray. It made me think of Victorian-era men, retiring to the parlor to smoke cigars and play cards. Clearly, we do not have any use for a cigar ash tray. Was there any way we could convert this project into something useful?

Materials Needed

• The book, A Manual of Clay Modelling by Hermione Unwin (or free online HERE)
• Modeling Clay (the book suggests red terra cotta clay)
• Clay modeling tools (this kit includes many tools, along with a sponge and wire to cut the clay)
• An modelling board with an armature – hopefully you’ve made this with us already
• A bowl of water
• An apron or paint shirt to protect your clothing
• Newspaper, or plastic covering to protect your table

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of an Octagonal Cigar Ash Tray

For this project, we did not use the armature. We began by building up an oval shape of clay, approximately 3″ x 1.5″ in size. We then flattened this onto the board, keeping the oval shape, until it was about one inch thick.

The next step is to hollow out the middle with the tips of the thumbs, while maintaining the oval shape. This is something that we learned in model #11, How to Make a Clay Model of a Saucer. We found that it was a little challenging to get all of the edges 1/8″ think, while making the perpendicular.

Once this was achieved, we smoothed the surface, inside and out, with water.

Then, at the opposite ends of the longest and shortest diameters, form the angles of the sides by pressure with the thumb and fingers. It was helpful to use the tool, creating slight dents on the edges to mark the location of the angles. Remember, the more defined the angles, the more crisp and octagonal the tray will look.

Optional

These clay models are not meant to be dried and kept. Upon completion, we typically break the project up and put it back into an air-tight bag with a little water to keep it malleable. Occasionally, however, we’d like to keep a project that would be useful. Although this clay model of an octagonal cigar ash tray initially seemed useless, it occurred to me that with a little help, it could be quite useful.

We are currently teaching a Brushwork Series on our YouTube channel, Happy Handicrafts. Although I am absolutely loving the series, I am constantly annoyed by my paint brush that wants to roll across the table each time I set it down. A level table would probably be very useful, but so would a cigar ash tray converted into a paint brush holder! So, I pressed the handle of my brush into the four short side of the octagon, creating the perfect-sized depressions to rest my paint brush in. No more rolling paint brushes!

Are You New Here?

If you’re just finding our clay modelling handicraft series, be sure to visit our YouTube channel, Happy Handicrafts. There, you’ll find several playlists of different handicrafts. We’ve made each video with homeschool families in mind. We recognize that not all homeschool families love crafting – in fact, I know many homeschool moms who absolutely hate crafts of any sort! That’s where we come in. We are the crafty part of your village. All you need to do is go to our YouTube channel, pick a playlist that you think your children will enjoy and start with the first video. (Moms can join in too!)

I hope this helps!