How to Make Ceramic Fishing Lures

If you pay a visit to your local ceramic store, you can get the materials you need to make your own ceramic fishing lures. All you need are a few tools and a couple of dollars to start making your own incredible fishing lures. In addition, making fishing lures only takes a few days' time.

Things You'll Need

• 4 to 5 small bisque ceramic fish
• Small bowl
• Small, round sponge
• Ceramic clean up tool
• Ceramic cut out and trimming tool
• Feed spray gun
• Bottle of clear matte or glossy glaze
• Ceramic paints
• Paintbrushes
• Pliers
• Fish hooks
• Kiln (optional)

Instructions

1. Place the four or five small bisque, unfinished ceramic fish and on the table. With the curved end of the ceramic clean up tool, scrape off the excess ceramic mold material from along the edges of the fish.

2. Take the sponge and dip it in the bowl of water; wring the sponge out before you use it. Use the dampened sponge to smooth down the area where you removed the excess ceramic mold material.

3. Use the sponge to remove any other blemishes on the bisque ceramic fish by lightly rubbing the sponge over the affected area. Allow a few minutes for drying. Repeat the process if blemishes on the bisque remain.

4. Using the cut out and trimming tool, carefully make a hole through the area where you want to place the hook in the fish. Twist the tool back and forth gently until the hole goes through the fish and is the right diameter.

5. Have the fish fired at a local ceramic shop, or fire them yourself in your own kiln. Retrieve the fired fish they have cooled.

6. Paint the fish with ceramic paints with your desired colors. Have the pieces re-fired after the paint has dried, or re-fire the pieces yourself. Glaze the fish pieces after sufficient cooling with the feed spray gun. Re-fire them once more.

7. Attach fish hooks to the finished ceramic fish.

Tips & Warnings

• Be gentle with the ceramic fish when they are in their un-fired bisque state; they can break easily. Do not force the cutting and trimming tool through the ceramic fish when making a hole for the fish hook; take your time and gently move the tool through the piece until the hole is created.

• Do not press too hard when using the damp sponge to smooth over rough edges on the bisque material. Use gentle motions and very little water, so that you do not soak the bisque and cause it to change shape. Be careful when attaching the hooks; you may want to wear gloves to keep your hands and fingers protected during the process.