I will be doing a live demo of this on ClayShare on July 31.
Here are the instructions for making the July 2024 mystery box 3d house. This is for making the house into a light or luminary. Pictures are shown making the Traditional house, but work the same with the Gingerbread house. Also the roof and trim on the Gingerbread house and Traditional house are interchangeable. Feel free to mix and match stamps and decor from each box.
Items used: Christmas in July 3D House kit
Roll clay out to approximately 1/4" thick and compress both sides
I recommend, stamping and texturing all pieces before you cut them out. I lay out my cutters and rough cut or mark around them to get my sizes. Stamp or roll texture, then cut out your shapes.
For each house, you will need to cut out:
2 house fronts (front & back)
2 roof sides
2 roof trims
2 side walls (4" square for the gingerbread house, 4" x 4.5" rectangle for the traditional house - 4" is the base and 4.5" is the height)
1 base * (4.5" square for the gingerbread house, 4.5" x 5" rectangle for the traditional house) Feel free to use a larger square, circle or other shape if you want to add some sculpted elements to the "yard". * I actually made a bigger base for the luminary by cutting around the outside of the upside down base cutter (shown in pictures further down).
Start by building the roof first.
45 degree bevel cut the inner top edge of the "roof sides" and score
Score both side edges of the roof sides and the the roof trim as shown in the following photo (Gingerbread roof shown in photos)
Assemble the 2 roof sides. I used a square tissue box to keep the 90 degree angle and to support the sides. Then attach one trim, flip the piece over and attach the other trim.
If adding a chimney, see instructions on the project page to make it and assemble it to the roof.
After the roof has set up enough to hold its shape without the tissue box, you will want to add a coil to the inside pitch where the 2 roof sides meet up. I did not need a coil where the sides attach to the trim, but I did make sure that it had a good seal.
If the roof needs more time to set up, you can set it aside and work on the house, then come back and add the coil. (Note, I only have texture on the inside of the roof because I decided to roll in a different direction. You do not need texture on the inside as it will not be seen.)
Set the roof aside and work on the house base.
Building the base:
Score approximately 1/4" in on both sides of the back of the house fronts as shown in the photo (note: there is no beveling on the house base)
Score and slip the side edges of the 2 side walls and attach on to the house front as shown in photo. Add a coil to reinforce the joins.
Gently stand the piece up and attach the opposite house front. Add coils to reinforce.
Set house aside and work on base.
To make the base slightly larger, place cutter upside down on your slab of clay and cut around the cutter handle.
Place the house on the base and lightly trace the inside with a needle tool or stylus.
Score the base a little bit inside the marked line as shown
Cut strips from excess slab and form a frame collar for the house as shown. Score and slip on to the base.
Set the house on to the base to check for fit.
If only using a battery candle votive, you can skip the following steps for a plug in light.
For an electrical cord light bulb -
Cut out a "mouse hole" in the back or side of the house to allow for an electrical cord for a light kit. Transfer marks for the location to the base and cut out the collar.
Attaching the roof to the house.
If you haven't added a coil to reinforce the roof, do so now. Score the top edges of the house base as shown
Score the inside of the roof as shown. (Score wider then 1/4" thickness so you can add coils inside)
Attach the roof to the base. I went very heavy on the slip to make sure I had a good attachment. Place the house on its side. I used a scrap piece of slab to help support the house. Place coils inside where the roof and the house attach.
Stand house back up. Add holes or cut outs where desired for the light to shine through.
Allow to dry slowly, then bisque fire, glaze and finish fire according to the clay you use. Add a light kit.
I purchased this one from Amazon. I will post an update when I see how it fits. If you use a light kit that does not have a base, you may need to make a clay donut to help it stand up.
Post your completed houses on social media and tag me @debi_delacruz on IG or De La Design Gifts Pottery Supplies on FB. Use hashtag #deladesignmysterybox