DIY Network

Building a Slump Molded Platter and Baking Dish From "DIY Pottery" episode DPOT-102

The completed slump-molded platter. The same technique is used to create a baking dish with handles.

Here, host Bill van Gilder demonstrates the creation of a slump mold platter and baking dish.

Materials:

12.5 lbs. of clay
Rolling pins/brayer
Two sticks 3/8" thick
Wooden slump mold frame
Small blocks
Squeeze bottles (optional, for glaze application)
Embossed wallpaper
Fettling knife
Wood rasp
Wooden dowel
Compass
Wax emulsion
Glaze

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

1. Begin preparing the clay by "throwing the slab" (figure A). This allows the clay to be stretched while working it, and prevents "pounding" of the clay to the desired size. Measure your frame to gauge the size your slab will need to be.

   
   

2. Place the clay slab between two sticks 3/8" thick. Roll the clay between the two boards to remove markings and achieve the correct thickness (figure B).

   
   

3. Puncture air bubbles to prevent "mini-explosions" in the kiln. After puncturing the air bubbles, lightly press the area of the bubble with fingertip.

   
   

4. Use a sheet of embossed wallpaper to create the platter's textured motif. Place the wallpaper face down on the clay surface and roll over with rolling pin.

   
   

5. Add clay to frame to form the dish. Move the clay slowly and carefully to avoid altering the slab's thickness. Flip the frame and clay together and elevate the frame on wooden blocks of equal height (the elevation will determine the depth of the platter).

   
   

6. Push clay from the edges to create the "slump" or "hammock" (the part of the clay that swags downward through the frame, figure C).

   
   

7. Press the clay edges with rolling pin and trim. Use a smaller brayer to shape, smooth and strengthen the rim (figure D).

   
   

8. Allow the dish to dry to a leather-hard state. After the piece has dried, remove from the frame and add your signature. Tip: To keep from marring the clay and create a smooth signature, place a plastic bag over the clay surface, then sign name.

   
   

9. Use a wood rasp to remove excess clay and shape the rim of the platter, then use a sponge to soften the edge.

   
   

10. Use the same technique to create a baking dish. The baking dish will be deeper, with no texture, and must be "wet worked" in the frame to achieve the desired depth.

    
    

11. Use a fettling knife to trim excess clay from the rim (figure E).

    
    

12. The baking dish handles are created from clay coils. First, roll two snakes of clay to equal length and thickness. Use a flat board to apply pressure as you roll the clay. After the coils are rolled, roll over a textured surface (here, a corrugated rubber mat is used). Trim to the correct length, apply water to the dish and adhere the handles to the rim by pressing with fingers at each coil end (figure F). A dowel can be used to press the handles near the underside of the rim.

    
    

13. Allow the dish to dry for 12 hours to a bone-dry state.

    
    

14. Bisque-fire both the platter and baking dish in the kiln for 10 hours.

    
    

15. Glaze applied to the bottom of a dish can stick to the kiln and ruin the piece. To prevent this, use a compass to draw a line of demarcation evenly around the bottom. Apply a wax emulsion to the bottom, staying within this line, to resist the glaze.

    
    

16. Apply the glaze to the pieces, then load the kiln. When loading the kiln, take care that pieces do not "kiss" or touch. If this happens, and the kiln is fired, the glazes will fuse together and can only be separated by a break.

    
    

17. Once the kiln is loaded, glaze-fire the pieces for 12 hours at 2200 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the pieces to cool 24 hours before removing.

RESOURCES :

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

Pottery Supplies
Bailey Pottery
Website: www.baileypottery.com

Clay Times
Website: www.claytimes.com