From Slab to Fab

Tripod Mug From Slab to Fab

Construction Photo

In the box below describe the process of turning a flat slab to a rounded vessel.  Include in your description tools, terms, steps etc.

After rolling out and cleaning the slab with a metal smoothing rib, use an angle cutter (45 degrees) to make the two opposite edges angled. Turn the slab so that it's upright, and curve it into a cylinder. Slip and score the angled sides. Press them together and smooth the seams (inside and out). After that, create a triangle with your hands, and place them over one opening of the cylinder. Once the opening is triangular, score the top. Gently curl in the edges so they face each other. Apply slip to the scored areas, and blend the seams together, once all three edges meet, making sure to stop at the 'ankles.' Cut out a small triangle from some of the excess clay and score and slip it onto the small opening left, making sure the belly doesn't touch the ground. The next step is to give the tripod vessel its shape. The belly needs to be convex, so undulate it with either your fingers or by using a wooden spoon/spatula (this happens on the inside of the piece). Smooth the inside with a smoothing rib. After that, the neck needs to be concave. Use a smoothing rib and your fingers along the outside of the neck to slowly push it in. When that's done, use a smoothing rib to smooth the outside. For the final part, cut out a rounded section in a popsicle stick and use it to create the lip on the opening, letting it create a ledge on the inside too (so the lid can sit on it).

What areas of the project did you have most trouble with?

The areas I struggled the most with was making the belly convex and making the lid fit the rest of the vessel. With making the belly convex, I struggled with making it symmetrical. Though I went slowly and tried to apply even pressure, there were some parts that were more rounded than others.    The other part I struggled with was the lid, only because I had trouble getting it to fit. I couldn't get it quite circular enough, so there were some areas that fit but others that were too big to fit. I ended up having to sand it after it was fired.

What areas were most surprising or enjoyable to you.

I enjoyed creating the shape of the vessel, though it was hard at times, as it was relaxing to create the shape. I also enjoyed coming in to see the final fired product, though I'm not sure if this counts... It's hard to know how it looks, especially as most glazes look different pre-fired. Seeing the final product is usually quite rewarding. Even though it didn't look quite as I was planning, I'm still very happy with it.

Glaze Record List the glazes that you applied, order of layers and the number of times you dipped.
3 coats C-1 Obsidian body and lid patterned areas 2 coats PC - 20 body and lid patterned areas 2 coats PC - 53 Ancient Jasper body and lid patterned areas 3 coats C- 23 Ice un-patterned areas body (external and internal) and lid (external and internal) 3 coats C - 10 borders body and lid
Pre fired glaze Photo	Post fired glaze Photo
Final Reflection Describe the final product.
The glazes over the pattered area flowed a bit more than I was expecting, but I actually like it better this way. I feel like it makes it look lest solid and more flowy, which I'm happy with. It helps with the effect of making it look like water, as it lost some of the blue. The pattern is hard to see under the glaze, however I think that was my fault as I made it too shallow. Overall, I think the final product came out well.