Snail Friends

It's no secret, I'm a big fan of snails! I even have a tank of snails on my worktop right now. I've heard them crunching on crispy veggies, seen them mating, had baby snails hatch and even been bitten by a snail! (It tickled! :3) So it's no great surprise the snail has inspired me in my ceramics.



The snail shell mould is the biggest I've made so far. Being short of plaster I cast it directly from the original clay sculpture rather than using the waste mould method. It's a bit rough and ready, but being a big sculpture it's easier to clean off the blemishes from casting. :)

I'm still experimenting with what to do with the surface of the shell.

I love the idea of plants growing up and through the shell and am pleased with how the cut shell looks.



It could also make a nice tea light.


On other shells I've experimented with adding texture.



Next I'm trying out using glaze to highlight the textures.

I'm hoping these snails are the kind you will want to invite into your gardens! :)