ART for 1170

A few answers to your questions. Here are the molds I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond for about .50  If the clay is really soft I have the students place a ball of papertowel in the middle to give support while they decorate the top. You can take it out right before firing or if you don't mind the mess, leave it in and it will burn off. The students place a piece of paper between the top and bottom with their name on it and after about 4 days I pop out the bottom and write their name on the bottom of the cupcake. 

I have seen several art teachers do this lesson and I knew I had to try it. I purchased metal molds from Bed,Bath and Beyond. Day one the students push a ball of clay into the mold and cut off the extra clay. Then they form a pinch pot for the top portion adding any details. I have them put their name on a piece of paper to separate the two pieces so I can later add their names to the bottom. One piece of advice, make sure you have at least a 1/4 inch thickness around the mold. It it's too thin it will crack.  Bisque fire then glaze, day two and three.