Floral Ceramic Wall Pocket

About 15 years ago, Bob Donaghy and his wife decided that night ceramics classes might be fun, so they tried it. Donaghy found that it came naturally to him, and he's been at it ever since. Amongst his former hobbies are skydiving, scuba diving, and stock car racing. Nowadays, when Donaghy isn't working on his clay, he and his wife enjoy visiting national parks in their motor home, even dabbling in gold mining! Donaghy will be making a wall pocket with calla lilies.

Materials:

Everyone can make wonderfully detailed Calla lilies using just a few basic tools. It is nice to have clay slab rollers and other ceramic tools, but they are not necessary. A common wood rolling pin and a steak knife will do wonders. Then add a couple of paintbrushes and you are ready to go. Nearly all of the artwork is done with your fingers. The only other thing you need is a way to fire your work. Many local hobby ceramic stores have a kiln that you can use for a modest price, if you do not have your own.

If you want to use the exact tools and supplies I use then visit your local ceramic supply store and purchase the following:

cone 06 white clay body, smooth, no grog
needle tool
rubber ended clay-shaping tool
wire tool
1/4" rounded dowel
rib
small water bucket
2' x 3' heavy-duty 21 oz. canvas
rolling pin or slab roller
fat fan brush
Mayco #6 Filbert AB60 Brush
Mayco #3 round AB703 Brush
Mayco # 2 detail liner CB202
under glazes for greenware
clear cone 06 glaze
large plastic drinking cup
household strainer
bowl
water
fork
kiln

Steps:

1. Place the canvas on the work surface. Cut a fist size piece of clay and place it on the canvas. Using a rolling pin or slab roller, roll the clay in all directions to flatten it to an even thickness of two nickels stacked on top of each other or 3/16 inch.

3. Roll out a second piece of clay similar to step one but do not cut it.

4. To make slip, break up some scrap clay and place it in a bowl with a little water. Use a fork to mash the clay in the bowl and stir it until a thick paste is formed. Strain the slip through an ordinary household strainer to remove any large chunks. Tip: Slip will be used like glue throughout this process.

5. After waiting a few minutes to allow the first piece of clay to firm up in the shape of the cup, remove the cup and place the clay on top of the second slab. Position the top slab so the straight area is roughly two inches inside of the bottom slab.

7. Cut the shape with the needle tool, following your finger lines.

8. Turn the wall pocket so you can see inside. Roll another piece of scrap clay into a thin long snake about the diameter of a knitting needle. Dip this rolled clay into the slip completely covering the roll. Using the dowel, slide the slip covered roll into the inside of the wall pocket, and out to the edges all the way around. Supporting the clay on the outside, using the dowel, firmly compress and smooth the roll into the edges of the wall pocket.

10. Cut the top part of the bottom slab into its final shape with the needle tool. Soften and round the edges with a damp sponge.

11. Set the wall pocket aside and lightly cover it with plastic.

12. Roll out another slab of clay. Freehand cut a teardrop flower shape with a needle tool (figure D).

13. Remove excess clay leaving only the cutout piece. Wet your finger with water and flatten out the edges of the clay until it is quite thin. It is important to flatten only the very edge as the center thickness gives it strength. Make sure not to alter the shape as you thin the edge. You will end up with a slightly larger shape.