Intermediate

Sculptural Arch Bookend

A single, solid arch-shaped bookend that's heavy enough to hold a row of books and striking enough to earn its place on a shelf. This project takes advantage of one of air-dry clay's natural strengths: weight. The arch shape is structurally sound, visually interesting, and simpler to execute than it looks.

40-55 min Dry time: 48-72 hours

What You'll Need

Air-dry clay 500g / half a bag

Included in kit

Acrylic paint set

Included in kit

Brush set

Included in kit

Rolling pin

For slab sections

Sandpaper (150 & 220 Grit)

For rough + fine finishing

Step by Step

  1. 1 Build the Base Slab

    Roll a thick slab about 1/2 inch (12mm)
    thick. Cut a rectangle approximately 4 inches wide by 5 inches deep. This is
    your base, and it needs to be heavy and flat. The extra thickness is
    intentional; it provides the weight that actually holds books.

  2. 2 Build the Arch Wall

    Roll another slab to about 3/8 inch (10mm)
    thick. Cut a rectangle about 4 inches wide by 6 inches tall. This will become
    the vertical back wall that the books lean against.

  3. 3 Shape the Arch Top

    Using your craft knife, cut the top of the wall piece into a smooth arch shape. You can freehand this or trace around a bowl for a perfect curve. Cut from both sides toward the center so the arch is symmetrical.

  4. 4 Score and Slip

    This is the most important technique in the project. Using a the needle tool, scratch crosshatch lines where the wall meets the base (the bottom edge of the wall and the back edge of the base). Wet those scratched areas with water to create 'slip' (clay glue). This is what keeps your bookend from splitting apart as it dries.

  5. 5 Attach and Reinforce

    Press the arch wall firmly onto the back edge of the base. Hold for 30 seconds. Then roll a thin coil of clay (like a small snake) and press it along the inside seam where the wall meets the base. Smooth this coil into both surfaces with your finger. This internal fillet is structural, not decorative. Do both sides.

  6. 6 Smooth and Clean

    Wet your fingers and smooth all visible surfaces. Eliminate fingerprints, smooth the arch curve, and make sure the base bottom is flat. The front face of the arch (the side visible on your shelf) should be the cleanest.

  7. 7 Slow Dry

    Because this piece is thick, it needs a slower dry to avoid cracking. Cover loosely with plastic wrap for the first 24 hours, then remove and let it air dry for another 48 hours. Drying too fast on thick pieces causes surface cracks. Once fully dry, sand with 150 grit first, then 220 for a smooth finish.

Tips & Troubleshooting

The #1 failure on this project is a weak base-to-wall joint. Score and slip generously. If it separates during drying, it wasn't scored enough.

For extra weight, you can embed small stones or marbles in the base before sealing it up. This makes it a much more effective bookend.

A single bookend works great when the other end of the row is a wall, shelf edge, or another object. Don't feel pressured to make a matching pair.

Make sure the bottom is perfectly flat and sanded. This is what touches the shelf. A wobbly bookend is a liability.

If the arch wall leans forward while drying, prop it with a small wadded piece of foil on the backside until it firms up.

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