[Ghost of Spookie]

I've been working and collecting things for an Egyptian theme and have wanted to make some canopic jars. The ones I've seen online are either very small or very expensive if larger. So I've been thinking about how to go about making my own.

I think I have found a glass vase (Jardin Glass Vase, 7-1/2 inches high) to use as a base for them at DOLLAR TREE. I think the vase is similar enough in shape for the bottom portion. Here's a pic of a vase they have in stock right now, followed by a link to a page of photos of real ancient jars.

http://www.dollartree.com/assets/product_images/styles/large/982289.jpg

Canopic jar Stock Photo Images. 18 Canopic jar royalty free pictures and photos available to download from over 100 stock photography brands.


I thought building it around the vase using some type of clay would be the best for this project. Easy to shape and mold and easy to engrave with facial details and hieroglypics. I don't think I would be able to bake the finished jars so as not to crack or shatter the glass vase.

Has anyone done a project like this before? I'd love some suggestions on what kind of clay to use that would air dry if that is the way to go. Thanks.

 

[Ghost of Spookie]

I actually settled on a smaller vase from DOLLAR TREE when I went to buy it. The label says Taper Jar Vase Item #43544, Sku 983622. It's 5-3/4 inches high and about 4 inches in diameter. By going smaller I figured I'd save on clay and the vase mouth wasn't quite as flaired as the Jardin style.

BTW DT shows the Taper Jar on their website but the one I bought doesn't look like the picture on the site really. Mine has a longer, straighter neck (the canopic jar topper should fit better with this neck) and the body of the vase looks more like the Jardin in shape. Nice quality thickness too. Anyway the great thing about DOLLAR TREE is that everything is $1.

If I don't hear from any "clay" people, I'll probaby stop by Michaels next week and see what they recommend. I'll have to look for a coupon to use there when I buy my clay and save some money on that too.

 

[Ghost of Spookie]

Hi! i'm not a "clay person" but i'm a craft person fo sho...Marblex or Stonex might be what you need. You don't have to fire them for them to harden. You might also consider faster plaster or celluclay, they have a different texture but they are very easy to work with and very economical if you want to make several of these. good luck!

Thanks! I'll check those products out. Glad to know there are non-heat options out there.

 

[Ghost of Spookie]

You could also do a paper mache over them too and skip the clay and baking. Get tan or white and tea stain them. I think that could make them look really old and it may be less expensive than clay. When I looked at the picture I thought it would be neat to have a window left open so you can see inside the jar. You could get a pulsing heart or slimy liver to view inside. Maybe fill it with water and put a glow stick inside to illuminate what is in it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I did consider paper mache from the cost standpoint and workability. I would have to paint on the hieroglyphs. I think from the pics of canopic jars I've seen, both clay and paper mache would work because some were chiseled or sculpted and others look like painted clay with hand written hieroglyphs. My favorite style of tomb design is the carved one so I think I'll try the clay route with mine.

BTW by using a glass vase as the basic form around which you build your jar you definitely would be able to put water inside. From a prop standpoint your ideas about seeing the content of internal organs would be very eye-catchy for the Trick or Treater.

 

[Ghost of Spookie]

Thanks for the pic Winklesun. Nice job. Did you have any problems with the bread dough cracking? Any issues with bugs wanting to eat it? Also thanks Slaz for the pic. Those look really nice.

I went to Michaels today and the person there suggested something to me that was an air-dry clay except when I read the instructions it said it should dry at the same rate and with the interior being next to glass I don't think that will happen and want to avoid cracking like someone in another clay post had happen to them. I also looked at Celluclay which someone here suggested and that sounds like a possibility as it can mold to any surface and they say can be carveable for fine detailing. Didn't buy anything yet however.

I'm going to use Fimo clay for some amulet molds I bought off of Etsy last year. I think those will be much easier to do, but the canopic jars will probably get noticed more so I want take my time and hopefully have them turn out really nicely.