Final Ceramics Blog

Ceramics Final Blog

Insert Origami Bowl Final Photo:

Describe the construction process involved in creating this piece.   (Mention any vocabulary terms, tools, and technique) Once the (leather hard) slab has been rolled out, the first step was to 'clean' the clay with a smoothing rib, removing any canvas texture from the slab roller. After that, the next step was to trace and cut around the template (cutting the clay) -- this includes the cuts made for folding. Using the template as a guide, we then slipped and scored the areas where the clay would be overlapping, both on top and on the bottom of the piece. Finally, we overlapped the clay, pressing down gently on the slipped and scored areas, connecting the clay.

Insert Tripod Vessel Final Photo:

Describe the construction process involved in creating this piece.   (Mention any vocabulary terms, tools, and technique) After rolling out and cleaning the (semi - leather hard) clay (like with the origami bowl), we beveled two opposite edges to a 45 degree angle. This allowed us to join the edges into a cylinder after slipping and scoring. This was done with the piece upright, with the openings at the top and bottom. Using a blending stick, we then smoothed the seams on the inside and outside. After that, we shaped one open end into a triangle, using our hands as a guide. Once the opening was triangular, we scored the top of the triangle. Then we slowly curved the edges in, making it so that they faced each other. After we applied slip, we blended the edges/seams together, rounding the clay near the ends, creating the 'ankles'. The final step for this area was to cut out a small triangle to fit the small opening left in the middle, and slip and score it on. Once all that was done, we flipped the vessel over so that the opening was at the top. Using small balls of clay, pointed at the ends, we slipped and scored these into the three holes where the feet were. After blending them, this created a smoother inside. The next few steps give the tripod vessel its shape. First, we used either our fingers or a wooden spoon to slowly push around the inside of the piece, rotating it so that it was equal. This pushed out the walls of the vessel, undulating it. Next, we turned the piece over again. We used the curved edge of a smoothing rib to gently curve in the neck of the vessel. To do this, we pushed and scraped in the neck, turning the banding wheel to make it even. After this, the last step was to create a lip on the top using a wooden finishing tool, and to create a lip on the inside for the lid to sit on with a popsicle stick. The last part of the piece was the lid. For the lid, we curved the circle of clay into a cup shape using a smoothing rib and/or our fingers. We then used the smoothing rib on the outside, brining the clay up from the bottom to top, smoothing the surface and creating a more domed shape.

Insert Coil Vessel Final Photo:

Describe the construction process involved in creating this piece.   (Mention any vocabulary terms, tools, and technique) Starting off with a small disc of (leather hard) clay, we slipped and scored a (fresh clay) coil around the edges. We then slipped and scored another coil around the inside of the first, creating a stabler base. Using a blending stick, we gently pushed out the coils but running the stick along the inside of the coils. After this, we built up the vase. To do this, we ran the blending stick along the top of the coils, creating a wider surface for the next coil to be placed on. After that, we placed the next coil on top (or to the side depending on the direction the vase was going) and compressed it by pressing down on it with our fingers. We then blended the seams with the blending stick and smoothed and shaped it by pressing it against the template. Since the coils were fresh clay, there was no need to slip and score. Recovery: If the top coil was to hard to be considered 'fresh clay', we scored the top and sides, and then used a sponge to gently add water until it was soft enough for the process to continue.

Insert Holiday Home Final Photo:

Describe the construction process involved in creating this piece.   (Mention any vocabulary terms, tools, and technique) We first rolled out the clay into slabs. After that, we had to roll them out again, however with a texture mat, creating the pattern of the walls and roof. We then used a template to cut out the shape of the house (front and back). Using the rest of the textured clay, we cut out two inch strips for the walls. Once the edges were beveled to a 45 degree angle, we slipped and scored the edges, compressing them and joining the pieces of the house together. We did the same with the roof, however without bevelling the edges (with the exception of the peak at the top). For the windows and doors, we cut templates out of paper, and cut out the shapes from the house. We then used the templates again, on thinner slabs of clay, and traced (not cut) the shape of the window/door. After that, we cut around the tracing, creating a frame. For the windows, we cut out sections, keeping a cross in the middle for the frame. We then slipped and scored them on. For the door, we cut out 3/4 edges of the original tracing, and, once the door frame was slipped and scored to the house, gently pushed or pulled the door in or out, creating an open, welcoming door.

Looking at all your photos throughout the semester, how have you grown as a student?  I think that my glazing has improved. In the first project, the glazing had some gaps in it, creating an unfinished look. It improved over time. With the tripod vessel, the glaze overflowed a little. But with the vase, I think it turned out well.

What does the term “Voila” mean? I... I think it changes on a daily basis...