DIY Network

Throwing the Cup Bill Van Gilder begins his set of wine goblets by creating the cup; the stem will be added at a later stage. From "Throwing Clay" episode DTHC-112

Figure A

Creating an elegant wine goblet on the wheel is a complex process. It's also one of master potter Bill Van Gilder's signature clay pieces. Bill, a potter with more than 30 years' experience, designs pottery that is both graceful and functional. One of the unique and more formal designs he enjoys sharing with his students is a wine goblet. The goblet is made in two parts and put together at the leather-hard stage. The design inspiration used for the stems was taken from crystal goblets (figure A).

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Figure B

Tools (figure B):

3 lbs. clay
sponge
ruler
profiled rib tool
rubber rib
cut-off wire
needle tool
trimming tool
potato peeler
1 or 2 pointed decorating brushes
wax resist emulsion
glazes

1. Both the bowl and stem are made from 12 ounces of clay. The clay pieces are so small, they are very difficult to knead; Bill simply smacks the clay between his palms to knock out any air pockets.

2. The goblet cup is made first. Because the lump of clay is so small, Bill centers it with one hand. He keeps his thumb flat against his index finger and uses his ring and little finger to pull the clay toward his body as he is pushing down on the clay with his thumb. To give extra support to this position, he crosses his left wrist over his right wrist (figure C).

3. The next step is opening the center of the clay and creating the inside of the cup. Bill presses three fingers into the center of the clay, approximately 1/4" from the rim. At this point, he pulls the clay outward and upward. Because the clay pieces are so small, he works using a slow wheel speed (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

4. Water is used on the exterior of the clay as needed, and he tries to keep the rim level as he works on bringing up the clay walls. With a finger, he cuts a groove at the base of the cup; the groove gives Bill a starting place for his fingers as he raises the clay. Each time the groove is cut, the base gets smaller and smaller, which is what needs to happen as Bill builds the walls (figure E).

5. The cup needs to be 3-1/4" wide at the top and 4" tall. The width for the first cup is correct, but the height is 1/4" too short. To correct this, he adds form into the cup, making it more rounded. At the same time he thins the walls, bringing them upward a bit more and making the cup slightly taller.

6. A lip is pulled at the top of the cup and a belly is shaped in the goblet walls. When the lip and belly are shaped, Bill removes any moisture in the cup and lightly sponges the rim, creating a smooth drinking surface (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

7. To make sure each goblet is the same size, he sets up a marker. He places a piece of clay on the rim of the wheel and inserts a chopstick into the clay, setting the end of the stick, at an angle, very close to the rim of the cup. The tip of the chopstick is easier to use as a measuring guide than a ruler because it gives a potter a place to aim for, keeping the width and height of the next cups uniform as they are thrown (figure G).

8. Bill uses a fast wheel speed to cut the cup loose from the wheel head as he quickly pulls the wire under the cup. If he stops the wheel to cut off the cup, the wire will distort the bottom of the cup and force it into the chopstick guide. When the cup is loose, Bill, with very dry fingertips, lightly lifts the bowl at the base and moves it to the ware board.

9. The second cup develops an air bubble in the bottom (figure H). Bill removes it by slicing it open with a needle tool and uses the tip of his finger to compress the clay (figure I).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

RESOURCES :

Kilns
L & L Kilns
Website: www.hotkilns.com

Clay
Highwater Clays
Website: www.highwaterclays.com

Extruders
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Website: www.amaco.com