Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-25
A MODELLING PARTY
NEW IDEA FOR A HOT WEATHER.
GATHERING.
How a China Decorator Turned Her
Room Into a Studio and
the Results
Written for The Evening Star

Written for The Evening Star
A modelling party WIS the novel entertain
nient given in the parlor of a fashionable
summer boarding house one rainy evening
last week. The hostess was a young wo-
man noted not only for her decoration Of
china but also clever entertainer. so
her invitations were accepted with alaC-
rity
The guests found the parlor transformed
into IA veritable studio. The rugs had been
removed. and in one corner was an ifnita-
ton kiln. easily constructed with manila
paper and little black paint. An imitation
potters wheel also in evidence. ON
a large center table heap OF clay.
While the hostess mixed 1t with water To
the proper consistency. she explained that
each guest was TO make a piece OF china To
keep altcrward as a souvenir.
Her guests donped. with some misgivings.
long white potterS aprons. They We're
mostly of the opinion that artists arc born
and not made. and they doubted their
eligibility to enter the class. But the host
ess WAS ready with clever suggestions and
brought from her shelves and cabinets
many bits of china which might be copied.
Wooden modelling tools Were furnished, but
most OF the work was done by hand. As II
progressed. pencil holders ana other inCon-
eruous articles were made to assist. one
enthusiast worked wonders with a shell
hair pin
The objects made We're various. Ash trays
We're faNorlteS WITH the Intn ole loIHleu
his into the shape OF rose leaf curling
upward the edges. The veins OF the
leaf he drew with pencil A physician
in the party was at first deSpairing, but al
the suggestion of the hostess lac helped
himself to piece of clay the size of a fist
and fashioned skull. This he scooped
hollow. with a lid TO cover the round hole
in the top. and had a pretty tobacco box.
others made beer stems and loving cups.
The girls fashioned odd pin trays and flow
er holders
The guests did not carry away the results
of their labors, but left them with the
artist. She sent them to be fired at a pot
terry In a neighboring town. AS all the OBJ
jects were small. the cost was triftinS.
When they returned a Few days later they
We're dainty china pieces as could be de
sired.
one thing to be remembered in getting up
such a party is that potter's clay. and not
the ordinary modelling clay, must be pro-
cured. 1t may be bought at a pottery for
about cents pound. and il should he re-
turned there later to be fired and glazed.
Summer schools of ceramic art have been
established in various country places. and
ii convenient. clay might be procured from
one of these. Otherwise it may Toe ordered
by mail and expressed from the pottery.
Small potteries are best to buy of. for
ma kerS of celebrated wares are not willing
to allow samples Of their clay To go outside
of their shops. However. book on the
manufacture of pottery may be had at
most libraries and a copy be made from it
of Il receipt for the clay. which any potter
will compound to order.
The clay may be any of several shades
of gray or brown. which is pretty when
simply glazed. White or Cream-colorcd clay
is more common and may be Color"d any
desired shade at the pottery by having the
glaze tinted before being applied.
1t might be advisable at a large gathering
to furnish each worker with wooden mod
cling stick, such as can Toe bought at art
stores for 10 cents each. The greater part
of the work however is done by hand, and
this is not essential.
Prizes should be unnecessary, each guest
b.jny rewarded with the result Of his
labor If desired. however. an award might
be given for the most original ornament,
and another for the best copy of some OBJ
iect in the room. The prizes could toe any
thing in earthenwarc. from a beer stein
costing - cents to handsome piece OF
china.