How to Make a Flower-Shaped Teaspoon Rest

Materials and Tools:

clay (a very plastic hybrid of white stoneware and porcelain clays)
underglazes in various commercial colors
clear glaze
clay tools: ribs, loop, wooden shapers, rubber-tipped shaping tool
pointed wooden tool
paintbrushes
rolling pin
clay-thickness strips
canvas
ware boards (made from drywall board)
kiln
glaze bottle
drill with paint mixer
3-inch plastic circle template
fettling knife
damp sponge
fine-tip squeeze bottle
dipping tongs and bucket for clear glaze

Steps:

1. Roll out a slab of clay onto a canvas with a rolling pin, using thickness sticks to keep the slab even.

2. Smooth the clay with a rubber rib tool.

3. Turn the clay out onto a ware board. Smooth the clay again with the rib tool.

4. Using a 3-inch-diameter plastic circle template, mark the clay circle on the slab for the spoon rest.

5. Draw a flower design inside the circle with a pointed wooden tool.

6. Carve out the marked design with a small loop tool.

7. Cut around the design with a fettling knife, and remove the excess clay.

8. Smooth the edges of the clay with your fingers and a damp sponge. Shape the spoon rest in the palm of your hand.

9. Draw the petal detail in the clay with a rubber-tipped shaping tool.

10. Let the clay dry and harden for several hours.

11. Apply underglazes to the surface with paintbrushes¾the color of your choice for the petals and black for the center of the flower.

12. Use a fine-tipped squeeze bottle to apply dark purple glaze to the ridges between the petals.

13. Bisque-fire the lovely in the kiln. Let cool.

14. Using glazing tongs, dip the lovely into clear glaze.

15. Fire the spoon rest in the kiln again. Let cool.