Spiral Vase

Why

Looking for a memorable, handmade gift? The sculpting technique of building with coils may be ancient, but this vase crafted in Model Magic® is totally cutting edge.


Steps

1. Spirals occur often in nature. Where have you seen spirals? Perhaps in a Nautilus shell or the center of a sunflower? Find out about spiral or coil pots made in various cultures such as Native American peoples. This coil vase, which is a contemporary version, makes a great gift!


2. Roll colored Crayola Model Magic into several snakes. Coil a base with one snake. When Model Magic is fresh from the pack it sticks to itself!


3. Place a recycled plastic container atop the coil, so it becomes an armature for your vase. Cover the sides of the container with more coils, but with whimsical twists. Create lumpy layers by going back and forth. Embed shapes or animals within the coils. Change colors. Finish the vase with a lip at the top. Air-dry the vase for at least 24 hours.


4. Continue the theme by filling your vase with spiral flowers. Roll chenille stems into coils. Place them inside vase. Or you could fill the vase with dried flowers or other craft items to suit the recipient of your gift vase.


Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough With Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—

  • Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
  • Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
  • Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
  • If the arts & crafts project involves making small objects, follow the small parts/choking hazards standards: WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years."
  • The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
  • Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
  • Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient. Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic, and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Sharp Point— CAUTION: Contains a functional sharp point and should not be used by children under 4 years. Close adult supervision is required and adult assistance may be needed.

Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).

Adaptations

  • Use shape words like spiral and spiraling in a poem or story. Write your poetry in the shape of a spiral.
  • Learn more about Robert Smithson’s great earthworks "Spiral Jetty." This counterclockwise spiral, 1500 feet (457.2 m) long and 15 feet (4.572 m) wide, is made with mud, salt crystals, and rocks in Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Find out why it is rarely seen and hard to reach.
  • What’s a spiral staircase? Ask people to describe one to you. Record how many people use their hands in a spiraling motion and how many do not. What other words are difficult to describe without using gestures? Try to construct a spiral staircase.
  • Start a log of spiral shapes found in nature, design, and history.

Related Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Model Magic®
household supplies
  • chenille sticks
  • recycled plastic containers

Overview

grades

  • Grades 1 to 3
  • Grades 4 to 6

subjects

  • Language Arts
  • Visual Arts

time

  • 30 to 60 minutes
  • Multiple Sessions

benefits

  • Students identify spiral shapes found in nature and throughout history.

  • Students use this ancient pot-building technique to form a contemporary, unique coil pot.

  • Students embellish their creation with decorative techniques and materials.

Cirriculum

Research Canada Standards
Research UK Standards
Research U.S. Standards