While in Santa Fe, I saw these fab totems!!!
Totems Seen In Santa Fe
Totems Seen In Santa Fe
Totems Seen In Santa Fe
Totems Seen In Santa Fe
Totems In Santa Fe
Totems In Santa Fe
Totems Seen In Santa Fe
Totems Seen In Santa Fe

I decided to make my own version of them.

This would make an excellent class or group project as it turned out to be quite a BIG project!!!


First I extruded various types of tubes from a very groggy dark clay- if I were doing it again, I’d recommend using a lighter/white groggy clay as the colour said would be brighter.

As they came out of the extruded, (my husband helped me) – it REALLY takes two!! – I laid them on pieces of foam from an old egg crate mattress cover. This kept them from squishing or flattening . For the ones that were six-sided, I gave them a twist at this point.

After they hardened a bit, I cut them into smaller pieces.

All of the pieces need to be cut so that they can stand after being glazed in the kiln.

I used underglaze that I had on hand – but I would recommend just using glazes – will save you HEAPS OF WORK!!! And I think the colors might be brighter.

Be sure to also make lots of “in-between ” pieces, as you’ll need them when stacking the totem.

After firing, I simply stacked them on a 10mil steel rod. Easy peasy!

So get cracking!!! Make yourself some totems!

Keep potting!

Marian