Ceramic Hides?

[Boston]

I'm a sculpture by trade & have wondered if hides built out of fired ceramic would be fine for my ball python? I would assume they would be, being that most glazes are "food safe" & I know which aren't, just thought I'd ask since I've done a couple of searches on here & have not been able to find what I was looking for. Thanks in advance.

BTW, I've been lurking on here for a been & finally decided to join a bit ago.

[Egapal]

I'm a sculpture by trade & have wondered if hides built out of fired ceramic would be fine for my ball python? I would assume they would be, being that most glazes are "food safe" & I know which aren't, just thought I'd ask since I've done a couple of searches on here & have not been able to find what I was looking for. Thanks in advance.

BTW, I've been lurking on here for a been & finally decided to join a bit ago.

I have actually been thinking about this extensively. I think a ceramic hide would be the ultimate hide. It would be water proof, easy to clean, nice and heavy, easy to customize, your choice of color. I am a huge fan of this idea. I demand that you create one of these hides and post pictures. I am so behind this idea I looked up how much it would cost to buy an electric kiln so that I can make my own. I was thinking an oval shaped hide with an off center igloo type opening. Something like a reptile basics hide but with an oval shape instead of a rectangle. Nice natural glaze and maybe some natural unevenness like an Exo Terra reptile cave. Do this. I need pictures.

[angllady2]

I've often thought what a perfect hide a ceramic one would be. Like was said, waterproof, easy to clean, choice of colors to match decor, easy to sanitize, hard to tip over. They'd be ideal in my opinion.

If you make these, put me on the list for a dozen hatchling size, another dozen large cereal bowl size, and a half dozen about 12" across for my big girls.

If I had the means, I'd do this, but kilns are not cheap.

Gale

[Kymberli]

I'd buy them

[Egapal]

Do up a nice prototype and post pics and I would be interested in 4 large hides. I am also a network administrator by trade. I would be very interested in setting up a web page and online shopping cart to sell the hides. I also know a decent amount about direct response and could definitely handle some advertising. Just need to know your total costs of materials. Total time to make one and estimated time to make and package to ship 100.

[Adam Chandler]

I've never used one but I've always heard that ceramic flower pots with a smooth door cut into it made an outstanding BP hide. I can't think of anything about a ceramic hide that would be a problem, as long as the entire surface in smoothed.

[KatStoverReptiles]

I've never used one but I've always heard that ceramic flower pots with a smooth door cut into it made an outstanding BP hide. I can't think of anything about a ceramic hide that would be a problem, as long as the entire surface in smoothed.

I've wanted to do this, but can't figure out how to cut the hole without cracking the whole pot/bowl and how to smooth it out. How do you do it?

[Egapal]

I've wanted to do this, but can't figure out how to cut the hole without cracking the whole pot/bowl and how to smooth it out. How do you do it?

You can try a masonry bit for a drill to drill a few holes to guide the breaking process. Then use pliers to hopefully break the piece you want out. Then use a file to smooth the rough edges. The OP is talking about using clay to scult a perfect hide, then firing it and glazing it.

[DellaF]

Welcome to BP.net. Like the username.

[Boston]

Holy hell, I had never actually thought of selling any, lol, I just wanted something better for my boy. Because I am still hooked in with my university I have access to all the kilns 24/7. I am generally a metal casting sculptor but am extremely good with ceramics (wet clay & wax work in about the same ways, I just like bronze/aluminum/iron/steel better, lol)

Let me get a couple of things worked up & then I can get some input from you guys: like what size would be good for hatchling size?

Thanks DellaF