Gestatten: Bruno BOTZ
Step by step towards the BOTZ bear: Kathrin und Mike from www.werkstatt-michelbach.de did a marvellous job in their ceramic studio and created a true BOTZ bear. He goes by the name of "Bruno" and his fur is glazed with 9470 Bärenfell of course...
1) The body is created with two hemispheres.
2) Roll out two further earthenware slabs for the head. Bulge the face slab spaciously for the bear's nose - place the slab for the back of the head in the platsre mould. Then bring front and backside together with slip and cut out a hole for the neck.
3) Shape legs and arms out of tubular forms then again paste to body with slip.
4) Create small, crescent-like semi-circles as ears, again a hole for attaching the ear properly then use slip for completing the head.
5) Deepen two eye sockets and roll two eye balls.
6) Attach all parts to the body (other than eyes), tear a small furrow for mouth and nose and let dry thoroughly.
7) Biscuit firing for bear and eyes at min. 950°C.
8) Glaze Bruno all around with 9470 BOTZ bear skin (possibly dilute with water) in 2-3 coats, paint mouth and nose with 9489 BOTZ Black matt (2-3 coats), let dry each coat well.
9) Glaze the eyes with plenty of BOTZ Unidekor black for the pupils and one coat of 9104 Cognac (for the edge).
10) Glaze firing at around 1050°C.
11) Fix the eye balls in the sockets with glue.