I've made a few of these now and each time it's precarious. The last time I tried to make one I took it out of the mold too soon and it collapsed. This time I will leave it longer to let it setup.

I learned this technique from Michael Harbridge. He has videos on how to do it on Facebook.

This is one of the most unique things I make and I always get great compliments when people see it at shows.


I start with making small balls that I then smoosh onto my bark texture bisque. I made the bark texture pressing it into a tree up at our property in Chaumont. The balls don't have to be perfect since they're getting smooshed. I make a few less than a dozen for the base of the globe.




I make a few less than a dozen for the base of the globe.




Next I start to make the leaves. I use a bunch of different types of leaves in the larger sizes. I probably end up making about 3 dozen or so to start, but always end up making a few to fill in the gaps once I start connecting them.




I use my finger to join them together - no slip needed since this is very wet clay. If you can still see the joins (like you can here) then you're not done joining yet.




The finished product looks awesome. I like to make the spaces where light can pass through as big as posible.