I wanted to share this fun project that I did for a friend. She had asked if I could make her 3 dishes to accommodate her flatware when she is having a large crowd for get together’s. She loved the idea of the dishes being hand built and her color choice was Colbalt Blue.
I decided to make these for her using clay that can be purchased from Michael’s Craft Store. I have used this clay for other projects using acrylic paint not as glaze finish, so I was a little worried how the glaze would turn out. Need less to say I was very happy with the end result.
For this project you will need:
1 box of white clay (you will not use the entire box, so be sure to wrap the remaining clay up tightly so it does not dry out)
Cardboard or some other material to make a template
Rolling Pin
Water
Sponge
Knife
Plastic
Media of choice for finishing
Brushes for applying finish
To start this project using cardboard I cut a template measuring the size I wanted for the bottom and sides. I then cut a square piece of clay from the block of clay big enough to start my project. I have found the easiest way to start flatting your clay is to hold it in the palm of your hand and throw it against the surface your are working on, each time you do this the clay will begin to flatten out, you will then find it easier to finish rolling out the clay with your rolling pin to the desire thickness you want. I then take my template and cut out my pieces. Don’t try and cut everything out at once, just roll out enough for the bottom then each of the side pieces.
Once everything is cut out you are now ready to put your dishes together. Gently start pressing your sides to the bottom of your dish and using a little water on a sponge or just your fingers start working the clay so you have a nice edge along the bottom and where your sides meet you can also change the shape of the sides like I did at this time also. You can also carve a design on the sides using a serrated rib or even a fork. Once you are done cover your dish with plastic so dries slowly, this will prevent cracking.
This clay that we are using is an air dry clay, which means it does not have to be fired in a kiln, when your piece dries you can go ahead and paint it and seal it but just use it as a decorative piece. For my project I choose to fire it in the kiln to cone 04, I applied clear glaze to the inside of the dishes and 3 coats of Colbalt Blue to the outside of the dish, to decorate the inside I just used a round brush and applied a heavy coat in squiggle lines and dots and then fired to cone 06.
Thats all there is to it, I am so happy with the end result I can’t wait to start my next project!
Thanks for stopping by
Donna
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