Ceramic and Wood Clothing Rack

This a wonderful gift to give to just about anyone on your list.  Not only is it fun to give or receive, but it is also fun to make. 

These are the supplies for the ceramic hook part of the project. 
Clay (I used white grog, low fire)
pencil
clay cutter
underglazes and clear over glaze. 
brushes
access to a kiln.

wood board 24"X5" I used pine because it is fairly soft and easy to work with. 
sandpaper
screws
screwdriver
strap hangers
minwax polycrylic
brush

Using a chunk of clay about the size of a baseball begin to create the hook. I like to make faces and then pull the nose shape to create the actual hook. I say pull the nose because if you do it that way the hook is stronger then if you shape the nose seperate and then attach it. One of the hooks has the chin as a hook, I made that one the same way by pulling the clay.

I use my thumbs to create the nostrils. The nose (or chin) needs to be turned up a bit. If it is straight whatever you hang on the hook has a tendency to fall off!

Continue making the features, I pressed indentations into the clay for eyes, then rolled two smaller balls of clay for the eyeballs. I used slip (liquid clay) to attach the clay. 

Using a sharp pencil I poked into the clay to make a pupil. 

Use the pencil to make a hole in the forhead to screw the hook to the wood. 

I manipulated the clay a little to create the mouth and chin. 

The clay needs to get completely dry and then fired in the kiln to bisque. Use underglazes to decorate the hooks. 

Then using clear glaze,  glaze the hooks and re fire.

While the clay pieces are progressing prepare the wood. First sand all edges. 

Polycrylic board several coats, follow directions
 on can. 

On the back side of the board, measure 3.4" from top of wood and 1" from end. 

Screw a strap hanger to each end of the rack. 

Space your hooks on the front side of the wood and screw them on.