Carved Clay Oval Platter

Materials:

pre-pugged (de-aired) white stoneware clay
canvas
rolling pin
slab roller
fettling knife
wire cutter
metal rib
spray bottle
wire stylus
mini ribbon sculpting tools
plastic bags
slip
toothbrush
needle tool brushes
glazes
under glazes
under glaze wash
sponge

Steps:

1. Slice four slabs of pre-pugged white stoneware clay into 1- to 2-inch slabs and place them across a large piece of canvas.

2. Smooth the slabs of clay together on both sides and set in front of the slab roller wheel sandwiched between two pieces of canvas.

3. Set the slab roller at about 1/4 inch thickness.

4. Send the clay through the slab roller.

6. Save left over scraps of clay, after cutting the oval shape, in a plastic bag for future use.

7. Smooth the surface of the oval clay slab with a metal rib.

9. Lightly wrap the oval platter with plastic and let it set up to a leather hard stage.

10. When the clay reaches the leather hard stage lift the oval platter out of the plaster mold.

11. Slip and score the leather hard clay on the back with a toothbrush. This is where the hooks will be located.

12. After firing, press a wad of clay onto the slipped and scored surface and poke a hole into the wad with a wire tool. This will be for hanging the platter. Note: Make the hole large enough for the wire to fit through.