DIY Network

Soup Tureen and Ladle: Attaching the Blanks Creating a Soup Tureen and Ladle, Part 3 of 4 From "Throwing Clay" episode DTHC-212

(Continued from page 1)

	Figure H
	Figure I

11. Using his fingertips, he pinches off the sharp edges of the opening before smoothing and softening the alcove edges with a sponge and his fingers.

12. As a final step, he checks the fit of the lid on the tureen before setting the pieces aside to work on the ladle (figure H).

13. Next, he attaches the ladle handle to the cup. The cup clay has to be fairly stiff to stand up to the pressure that is applied while the handle is being attached.

14. Bill wets the area of the cup where he'll attach the handle, then tapers the end of the handle and presses it firmly onto the end of the cup as he supports the cup from the inside with his thumb. He leaves plenty of clay where the handle joins the cup; extra clay helps create a strong attachment (figure I).

advertisement

15. Holding the cup in his left hand, he pulls the handle, keeping the edges rounded by rotating the cup in his hand as he works. When finished, the handle will be approximately 8" in length.

16. With his left thumb inside the ladle, he uses his right thumb to create grooves in the handle. Before he sets it aside to dry, he carefully shapes the handle into a graceful curve (figures J and K).

Figure J

Figure K

17. When the handle is stiff leather hard, using a woodworker's rasp, he trims the back of the handle where it meets the cup (figure L).

18. Next, he smoothes the clay with a sponge and trims the end of the handle into a point. Using the rasp, he bevels the edges and creates a flat area so the ladle won't tip over in the kiln (figure M).

Figure L

Figure M

Figure N

19. Finally, he uses a hole cutter to cut a hole in the clay close to the end of the handle. After the high-temperature firing, he'll tie a length of shoelace through the hole for hanging the ladle (figure N).

20. The lid is dried seated on the tureen; this ensures it will stay round and keep a perfect fit. When both pieces are bone dry, they'll go into the kiln for the bisque firing.

1 | 2

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