Working With Slabs

Here's my latest slab creation.

I get regular emails from Ceramic Arts Network.  Sometimes there are deals on books, sometimes video clips showing helpful how-to's, and sometimes excerpts from articles from publications like Pottery Making Illustrated.  Yesterday's email contained directions to make a tray like this one - all from a single slab of clay.  

I tried it first using an oval pattern that I cut out of newspaper.  It was OK.  Just OK.  I do not love it.

I sure learned a lot though.  Often times, attempt #1 is where I figure out what not to do.  First of all, don't waste time making a paper template when there is a perfectly good oval shaped GR Pottery Form in the studio.  (Use this link to learn more about GR Pottery Forms.)  It's a much nicer shape than what I drew and made a much nicer tray.  Secondly, remember to put the texture in the handles BEFORE lifting them off the table or ware board.  Duh.  The last thing that I learned is that the handles don't need to curve too much.  

After I taught my regular Monday afternoon pottery lesson (from a safe distance across the studio), I made tray number 2.  Here's how it went:

I cut out the oval and transferred it to a newspaper line ware board.  Using a 2 by 4 (because it is what I had), I marked two lines separating the bottom of the tray from the 2 sides.  Then I added the texture to the sides.

Next cut along the lines about 1.5 to 2 inches from the ends.  The center part between those cuts is going to make the handles, so add texture.  Score and slip the four triangular shaped pieces.  Lift the sides off the board.  I used a small piece of wood (thanks, Ronnie) to get a nice, consistent, straight fold along the line I marked.  

Lift the handles off the ware board and fold the triangles behind the handle.  I didn't get a picture of the end at this step, but think about wrapping a gift.  The points of the triangles should either just meet in the center of the handle or should slightly overlap.  Press firmly. 

Curve the handles out.  Not too much.  I fluted the sides too.  This is optional but I like it.  My clay was really soft, so I ended up distorting the sides a little bit as I brought them up.  The fluting camouflages that somewhat and if the piece warps any as it dries or is fired, it will be less noticeable.  

I added 4 small clay "buttons".  Two on the outside of the tray where the triangles of clay come together under the handles and two on the handles at the base of the texture. I used a small stamp (thank you, Gail) to press the buttons to make sure they were attached securely.  

This project is going in my mental file of things to consider for future "clay classes."  It was relatively easy and quick.  I believe that even folks with no experience working with clay could do this with direction and a little assistance.  

Here's another project that is probably going in that same file.  

I didn't get any pictures of the process here, but it is something that I think I could make work for a group.  This takes a slab and some coils.  I rolled the coils by hand for this, but I would definitely use the extruder if I needed enough coils for a group. I still struggle with coils most of the time. 

What I think it really cool about this is that it can be any shape you can imagine.  I like ovals, but squares, rectangles, or circles would all work.  Cut the slab the shape desired.  If you want to put some texture on the rim of the slab, do that and then flip it over so that the texture is down.  Arrange the coil about an inch to inch and a half in from the edge.  Score and slip it and press it down. At this point, flip the piece over so that the coil is under the slab.  If  you added texture, it should be up now.  Using a sponge, press the slab down so that the coil on the bottom defines the "inside" of the tray.  Flute the edges and add handles if you want.  Handles are definitely optional.  

Come to think of it, this idea came from a video from Ceramic Arts Network too.  I watched it years ago and make these free form trays periodically. 

Good Bye, Old Friends

Almost four years ago, my friend Allen Griffin died.  Three years, eleven months, and 20 days ago, I said good bye to him in this space.  It was the morning of his memorial service and I could hardly see what I was typing through my tears.  I miss him all the time.  A few weeks ago, I sold the last of his faces at the pottery studio.  "Face jugs" we call them, but Allen's faces weren't always on jugs.  There were watering cans, pitchers, mugs, lamps, and planters. 

These last 2 pieces were lamps.

The gentleman that bought them assured me that they were going to a good home.  He described the newly redecorated bedroom.  The lamps will go on the bedside tables and are going to be perfect there.  I'm happy.  But I'm sad that there aren't any more of Allen's face jugs in the gallery.  

I have been running the studio very much the same way that Allen did, but I am trying out some new things.  Recently a friend of mine asked if she and her husband could come in and make something to celebrate their ninth anniversary.  You know those traditional anniversary gifts?  I didn't know this, but year nine is pottery.  Here's a link to a list I found online: http://www.holidayinsights.com/anniversary/year.htm

She initially asked about a paint your own pottery kind of thing, and I explained that is not what we do at our studio.  I thought about it a little more and suggested that they come in and I would help them make something.  

The first "Clay Date" was a success!  

I had a really good time and I think they did too.  They each made something and picked out a glaze color.  I'll fire the pieces and then they can come pick them up when they are finished.  

I am working on coming up with ideas about other classes that I could offer folks.  I think it would be fun to run a class once a month maybe where we all make a specific thing.  I have been experimenting with some hand building projects that I could use.  I've got to figure out how I can fit a group in the studio so that each person has the necessary tools and work space for the project.  There's a long way to go yet before I can make this fly.  Stay tuned.  

This bird house is one of the projects that might work.

I've also tried a hand built mug and hand built small casserole dish that might be good ideas.  When those pieces are finished, I'll share pictures of them.  

My new replacement apron arrived this week.  (That's the old apron in the picture.) Sure enough.  I don't like it.  It's too long.  The length is OK for now when I'm wearing long pants, but once hot weather gets here and I'm in shorts, it will not be ok.  I don't want people to think that I have on no pants!  Come to think of it, the strings are too long too.  They are probably supposed to wrap around and tie in the front.  I need it to tie in the back.  Ties in the front will get in the clay and be a problem.  I'm really picky.  I know.  

This week has been really strange.  Life as we know it has come to a screeching halt and we have no idea what next week or next month will bring.  I have struggled to find motivation to make things.  Who know how long this will go on?  When it is finally over, will anyone still want hand made mugs or pasta bowls?  I sure hope so. 

Big One Is Done

I feel like all I did this week was glaze pots.  I'm sure that's not quite true, but there was a lot of glazing.  And a lot of glaze firing.  Two to be precise.  

The first included all the things that my students had been working on the past few weeks.

Before firing.

After firing.

Most of those things on that top shelf are student work.

They are doing some really neat things!

I had never done cups like this before, so I'm learning too.  The slab needs to be thin or it just makes the cup HEAVY.

Look at this tree!  This was painted on the piece with wax resist before glazing. How cool is this?

The second kiln load included that giant pot that I've been working on since late January.  I was really afraid of it, but I made myself just suck it up and get it done.  It is terrifying to move a huge piece of green ware.  It was HEAVY and so very FRAGILE.  So scary.

It didn't explode in the bisque.

I wish I could show you how pieces are stacked up to use the space on the shelf with the big whopper.  I cram as much in a bisque fire as I possibly can.

But then I had to glaze it.

More glaze. Who thought making this big thing was a good idea?

I added glass beads at the handles.  My hope was that it would melt, run down the sides of the pot, and look cool.  Then I had nightmares about the glass jumping off the pot and sticking to the fire brick and new elements in the kiln.  In a glaze fire, pots cannot touch, so there's no fun nesting and stacking when loading up glazed things.

First peek in the kiln. No messes!  What a relief.

Hauling that big sucker out of the kiln.

I promise this is a big piece of pottery even though it doesn't look like it. Note the streak down the side under the handle. That's the melted glass beads. Also, I don't always "dress up" for kiln openings.  We stopped by the studio right after church today, so I was still in my nicer, non-pottery clothes.  My hair is also brushed - another indication that I'd been some place other that the studio.

There she is in all her "glory."

Jeff used a flash to take that picture.  The colors are really dark - black at the top, and then mostly blue and green down the sides.  It turned out ok, but I'm not satisfied.  I keep telling myself that it's ok because this was my first effort on something this size, and I learned a lot.  Maybe I'll make another one sometime.  

I really am happy with the glaze on this vase.  THIS is what I want to happen on my next big piece if I ever have the guts to try again.

I made some soup mugs this time around.  I like how they turned out.  Might have to put those in my regular rotation of things to make.  That is if other people like them too.