Nature Clay Vases - Plates

Project Overview

Possibly the simplest clay projects ever! Also one of the best looking projects for how easy it is! Lots of variety. Every kid loves to work in clay, the finished pieces kept forever!

Now that the sales pitch is over, here is what this project is.............. A flat slab of clay, cut to a unique shape, texturized with natural materials, small feet added to the underside and then shaped to take away the flatness as it dries. And on a philosophical level what they are creating is a connection to nature; from connecting to nature through analyzing which textures to use to choosing how to use that texture on the surface. The clay captures that exact moment of creativity meeting nature and preserves it as a beautiful piece of 3D art. Much like nature itself, a beautiful piece of 3D art.

Material - don't be afraid of clay, it's easy!

Where to get clay - Clay can be ordered through Central Stores or Google Greenbarn Pottery, the pottery supplier in Cloverdale, B.C. A white or buff coloured clay will work the best for painting and blazing. Plainsman Buff Stone, Laguna WSO are good choices. One box will easily take care of one class.

How to slice clay - slicing clay video, bottom up, not how I cut but is good - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcEm3Flardc , closer to how I cut clay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKFi3Abp6Hc , you don't need a special wire set up, two popsicle sticks with a fishing line in between will work just fine!

Storing clay - make sure your clay is wrapped up, air tight, if you have old clay but you can still get a wire through it, slice it into 1 inch pads, put soaking wet paper towel in between, rebuild it into a block, wrap it tight and it will be good overnight!

Drying projects - easy to dry these, vase or plates can be left unwrapped, even out in the sun to dry faster if needed. The plates might be too wet to dry right side up, you may have to start them upside down and flat until they stiffen a bit then flip them right side up and add a bit or style and curve to them!

Firing clay - If you have a kiln in your school make sure you either have fired before or learn from someone who has experience. If you don't have a kiln, every middle and high school has a kiln, contact the art teacher there.

Clips22-11-30_05-30.MOV

Vase Construction

Vase Building Script -

step 1 - slice clay into enough cubes so each student has two cubes, roughly 1.5" x 1.5"

step 2 - for cubes into round balls of clay

step 3 - form pinch pots from the two round balls of clay, keep them cup like and not bowl shaped

step 4 - flatten the rims, slip and score with a wet tooth brush, wiggle the two sides together

step 5 - smooth out the join to form one lovely smooth potato!

step 6 - paddle the "potato" into a creative vase shape, keep the surfaces smooth

step 7 - apply texture out in nature or bring nature textures into the classroom

step 8 - create a hole in the top of the bottom, write student name, let dry! Well done!

Videos on pinch pots - the first 2:10 is an excellent video on how to form a pinch pot : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJTNmOYfVoI

this second video is how to take the two pinch pot halves to be put together to form the "potato" that gets paddled into a shape - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fwtUoMjB6s (you don't really need to add a coil in the middle, simply spreading the clay across the join from one side to the other.

Clips22-11-30_05-58.MOV

Plate Construction

Plate Building Script -

step 1 - create a template for the shape of their plate

step 2 - slice blocks of clay about an inch thick

step 3 - using 1/4 inch strips of wood use a rolling pin to roll out a slab of clay, flip the clay over occasionally while it is being rolled, K-3s might need to have it rolled for them ahead of time.

step 4 - use the template and cut out the shape, use a wetted knife, keep the knife steady, use a wetted finger to smooth and finish the cut edges.

step 5 - add the texture to the top surface, flip it over and add feet, slip and score with a wet toothbrush when joining surfaces

step 6 - write their name on the bottom, keep it upside down until it starts to stiffen up

step 7 - flip it right side up and gently pull the edges up to curve the plate, way more interesting than flat!

step 8 - let it dry!

Rolling a slab - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWHxKuPQ7xo

Decorating options for the - coming soon

dry brushing video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kop-MVOl2sU

Page updated

Report abuse