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The How-to Cowboy’s™ Secret Magic How-to Fun Tricks: How to Make a Clay Whistle
The winner of the first How-To Ranch Hand Challenge is Alice Sims of Takoma Park. Inspired by last month’s column on tongue whistling, this sculptor known throughout the Bay region lends her hands to the fine art of whistling.
You’ll need: clay from an art supply store, a popsicle stick, pencil, small blade knife, a glass of water, and lots of patience.
1. Make a hollow clay egg as follows. Form a 2-inch clay ball. Stick your right thumb in the center, and with your right thumb and forefinger pat around the edges to form a bowl 1&Mac218;8-inch to 1&Mac218;4-inch thick.
2. Grab a clump of clay and make a 3-inch pancake. Slap the pancake on the top of the bowl and pat it down to complete your hollow clay egg.
3. Make a small clay plug half the size of a sink stopper. Dip it into the glass of water and affix it to one side of the clay egg (a). Taper it a bit to look like a pig’s snout (wet fingers will help).
4. Push the popsicle stick through the snout into the hollow clay egg. Don’t remove the stick from the top just yet. Take your pencil and make a hole down to the stick (b). Round and smooth out the hole. Incline a slide ramp down to the hole by shaping with another stick or knife (c). Remove the snout stick gently. Make sure all is clear and clean.
5. Blow. Ah, music. But then maybe not. Make sure the stick groove is horizontal and that you can see a bit of it through the top hole. When you blow, don’t be troubled if air comes out the top hole, as long as some air goes into the egg … I mean, clay whistle.
(The bigger the clay egg, the lower the sound, and visa versa. Make a dozen clay whistles, they will all sound different. Organize a clay orchestra. Book the Kennedy Center.)
Diagram of a Clay Whistle
Are you ready to take on the How-to Cowboy’s™ Ranch Challenge?
Send your unique how-to fun trick with step-by-step instructions to: IM Press • Box 5346 • Takoma Park, MD 20913. If accepted, you’ll get a $10 check, a Little Ned Stories book and you’ll see your trick published here on Not Just for Kids! You can also visit his website at www.takoma.com/ned/home.htm.
Kids Calendar
Meet the How-to Cowboy -June 22-24 at Annapolis Art, Wine & Jazz Festival!
Celebrate the Days of Railroading - Thurs. June 21 (10-11:15am)–Enjoy songs, poems, stories and games about railroads and early resort life in Chesapeake Beach. Includes refreshments and activities to take home. Ages 3-6. Railway Museum, Chesapeake Beach. free: 410/257-3892.
Craft a Cool Creature -June 23&24 (2:30pm)–Create a zoo animal with moveable parts. Includes lots of fun and games. Ages 4-6. Zany Brainy in Harbour Center, Annapolis. free: 410/266-1447.
Primal Planet Zoomobile - Mon. June 25 (7pm)–Join the Baltimore Zoo and Annapolis library in traveling the world and into many habitats to see where wild animals live. See live animals and learn about how long their species has survived. Annapolis Public Library. free: 410/222-1750.
Go Fish! - Tues. June 26 (5-8pm)–Bring your pole and tackle and have a great time fishing. Bait is supplied and prizes are awarded for the largest, smallest and most unusual catch. Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown. ($) rsvp: 410/535-5327.
Copyright 2001
Bay Weekly
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