Clay Homemade Hides

[MagPie]

Well, I had some left over clay from my sclupture class and decided to put it to good use. I made hides for my little one since he has outgrown his old ones. They haven't gone into his tank yet since I've had them out to dry and I would like to have them fired. Also just in case it might not be a good idea. I wasn't sure if I'll glaze them (with a matte lead free glaze) after they get fired the first time or leave them as is.

Anyway here's the first one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/hideA.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/hideA2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/HideA3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/HideA4.jpg

And the second one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/hideB.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/hideB4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/HideB3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/MagPie8203/Clay Hides/HideB2.jpg

Now I was wondering how I should go about cleaning them when the time comes. After they've been in with the gecko. Would baking them in the oven work?

 

[GeeEssFore]

Send me the first one Geiko would love it. Those are going to be awesome looking.

 

[acpart]

Those hides should be fun for your gecko. I also make ceramic hides. I glaze them after first firing. I clean them the same way I do their other "furniture" --soak in hot water and then spray either with hydrogen peroxide and vinegar (not mixed together) or with a natural cleaner and deodorizer. Here's a picture of one of my hides (can you tell which morph?)

Aliza

 

[moosassah]

I was definitely going to mention Aliza in my post, but she beat me to it!

Your hides look very cool. I'd definitely glaze them.

 

[MagPie]

Thanks guys I was thinking if I can get this going I could make and sell more hides like this.

Well glazing seems the way to go.... I just want to make sure it isn't too slippery for them.

 

[acpart]

Mine have no trouble climbing on even the high gloss glazes.

Aliza

 

[Baker14]

They both have awesome shape and should turn out nicely. Im not sure if your going to glaze them or not, but may I suggest using tile grout to make it rough, like a rock.

 

[Tommy13b]

Wow really cool hides im hopeing to do that in art class soon

 

[JGoslee]

Those are some cool looking hides! Good job.

 

[tronicsman]

I wish i had the talent to make those

 

[david13]

they look great

 

[MagPie]

Thanks guys I'm going to glaze them... well after I fire them the first time. This point I wish I had a kiln. I might see if my old teacher will let me add these to his pile of stuff to fire

 

[geckomaniac123]

Sound great but you should only need a disinfectant then rinse them off