LOVE MOBILE (wind Chime)

This instructable will show you how to create a ceramic LOVE MOBILE  (sculpture), a hanging artwork.....The 
one you love can hang it in their window or garden and think of you each time the breeze makes it chime.....

The supplies you will need are;
clay rolling pin
4X18 template
underglazes
glaze
brushes
assorted sizes heart cookie cutters
access to a kiln

and thin ribbin to later use to assemble mobile

roll a clay slab large enough to fit 4X18 template

carefully cut the slab of clay

carefully turn the clay into a cylinder

draw a "blue print" of the mobile design

roll more clay and begin to cut the hearts you will need for your LOVE MOBILE. I used the letters L  O  V  E  as well, to enhance my design. I also cut several extra smaller hearts to use to decorate the cylinder shape on top. 

holes need to be made in the cylinder 
two on the top to hang it. 
My design will have 8 strands hanging so I need to make 8 holes on the bottom edge of the cylinder as well.

now make the holes in the hearts, use the guide that you drew to be reminded which hearts need 2 holes and which hearts need only one. 

when everything is completely dry, bisque fire the clay pieces.

Use underglazes to paint and decorate the mobile pieces.

When the paint is dry glaze the pieces. I like this green glaze made by Duncan. It goes on green but fires clear...it is easy to see on the bisque pieces if  any areas are missed with the glaze. 

after glazing be sure to check all the pieces to be sure the hanging holes are not clogged with glaze before firing.

Organize all the hearts to get ready to assemble the mobile.

begin by gluing any pieces you have made to the cylinder shape, be careful not to cover any holes!

I use tape to hold the hearts in place until the glue is dry.

Cut the lengths of ribbon you will need to tie the hearts together

tie each strand of hearts according to your diagram. 

when all the strands are tied, arrange them around the cylinder to mimic the original design. 

tie a longer length of ribbon through the top holes of the cylinder. then tie each strand around the bottom of the holder.