Here we are, in the final steps of creating Viola’s fridge magnets. The pieces have been molded and dried. Next, the colors are painted onto the fragile greenware with underglaze colors.

I don’t have a set order for applying the colors. I pick a color and put it onto everything that needs it, then I move on to a new color. The first picture below shows the logo magnets before the green vines were applied, the second shows the finished magnets before they were put into the kiln.

The pieces were fired to bisque cone 04. Not all of them were painted with underglaze colors. Some of them were stained with a dark clay which was then wiped off. This technique leaves the dark color in the recessed areas. The final step was to spray all of the pieces with clear acrylic spray. This really made the colors pop.

The pieces were left to dry for 24 hours, then magnets were glued to the back. Another 24 hours and they were wrapped up and delivered to the customer.

Whew! This was a fun and educational experience. If you like these, stop by Viola’s Flower Garden at 2654 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona and pick one up!