Ceramic Hides?

[LizardPants]

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

http://www.reptilebasics.com/mini-hide-box

[Egapal]

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

I don't know enough about ceramics but maybe you can answer my question. Is there a type of clay that can be poured that will give you the same strength as stoneware. The ideal solution would be to create a mold that way you could provide a consistent product. I think there is a real market for high end hides. Many of us are struggling to find the perfect hides and I think ceramics offers the perfect solution.

[Kymberli]

Lol you may have intended to only make yourself one, but you'd certainly have buyers!

[Evildrdee]

Id be interested. I almost bought a ceramic round birdhouse for one of my turds, but the colors were soo blan. There are endless possibilities for some sick looking ceramic hides

[stratus_020202]

Definitely adding this to the "watched threads" list. This would be an awesome idea. I've done a lot of ceramic work, but just painting. That was years ago. It would be amazing to order some hides that I could decorate myself.

Can't wait to see some prototypes.

[Homegrownscales]

I love the idea. I just wish I wasn't so clumsy!!! While I snake proof things for the balls, I also have to Morgan proof things for myself bc I have a very bad tendency to drop things. So if you can perhaps make them unbreakable I want 41. Lol. I have plastic everything for pretty much all the snakes. I've broken everything else! Serious case of butterfingers my whole life.

[wax32]

Funny this is being brought up. I have a friend who is a potter and I told her I'd be interested in some nice. non-tippable, ceramic water bowls. She said she would see what she could do....

[angllady2]

Well, if you were going round for hatchlings, I used a large plastic cup I cut down for mine. So say roughly, 4" in diameter. For yearlings maybe 7" in diameter. Sub adults around 9" in diameter. And the biggest I use are 12" in diameter.

Of course if you go with the rectangular style, you can find all the measurements you need at that reptilebasics website.

Truthfully, I think you'd find buyers for both styles, so you might want to give that some thought. If you can make this work, you may have just found a way to pay for your hobby!

Gale

[Boston]

Wow, where do I begin...

Egapal: I mix a type of slip (slip is what looks like a grey soupy water but hardens like normal stoneware & is durable after being fired, no problems), that I'd use. I've used it numerous times & have never had problems with it. Also we might have to work something out, if you know about websites & such.

Homegrownscales: I can't make it breakproof, unless I coated with a rubber paint coating but not good for the snakes, lol

Kymberli: Yeah I realize that now...

Angllady2: Thanks for the size ideas. Being that the only Ball I've ever owned has been an adoptee, I don't know much about when they are super small. I was figuring something like those sizes & that helps me confirm!

Well this weekend I'm gonna be in the studio all weekend anyhow so while I'm there I'll get some prototypes whipped up. If I get some soft designs of what I like & what you guys like, then I'll get into makin quite a bit, it seems, & I'll have to set up some sort of order process (that might take me a month or so to make a bit so that when people order I can have "X" amount on hand to go ahead & ship out)