Clay Made Simple

(Page 3 of 3)

June/July 1994
By Michelle Silver 
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For the Lip

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Roll a small clump of scrap clay into a coil, using the palms of your hands, until it is long enough to encircle the top of your cylinder. Flatten the top a bit with your fingers and then place the coil along the cylinder top, allowing the ends to overlap. Join them together by cutting through the overlap on a diagonal (as you did for the cylinder). Score the two ends with a fork, mesh them together, and smooth out the seam.

To Decorate

When it comes to decorating the outside of your vase, there's no right or wrong. Try making interesting imprints with a fork, screwdriver handle, or any other utensil. Cut out shapes from the vase with and a cookie cutter, leaving the holes. Or score scraps of cutout clay onto the vase. Remember, if your clay is not almost leather hard, let it sit a while. When you're happy with the design, put some drycleaning plastic around it and let it dry slowly before firing.

Firing

Drill a circle of small holes in the trash can lid and also around the bottom of the trash can, approximately 1 1/2" above the base. Then set the can on a set of bricks.

Pack about six inches of sawdust in the trash can before putting your vase in. Then pack sawdust around the vase and fill the rest of the can with it. Place a lit match in the can and replace the lid loosely, leaving a few inches of breathing space. Allow the piece to fire all day, making sure it stays lit. Once it stops smoking and most of the dust has burned, it's ready. Put on a pair of heavy-duty gloves, pull the vase out, and allow it to cool thoroughly.

Bio Note: Valerie graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in studio arts and a focus on ceramics. She currently paints and is planning to sell her functional pottery.

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Comments

  • Gayle 2/25/2007 11:25:39 AM

    I love this article. BUT is there any possibility of sending a
    line drawing of the process and perhaps a really nice pic of the
    finished product. I have always wanted to work with clay. I think
    my love of making mudpies when I was a kid would really come in
    handy. Thank you so much. Gayle Kohlenberg
    MOTHER EARTH NEWS RESPONDS
    You can view the images in the Im age Gallery at the top right
    of the article under "Related."

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