Hand-building a Square Plate with Ivy Accents
Tools & Supplies: 5 lbs. of low fire white moist clay, 8” X 8” square Slump Mold #SP01,

Ivy Sprig Mold #SG05, one yard of canvas, wire to cut clay, XL rolling pin,

Sandbag (place one cup of play sand into handkerchief and tie to close), wooden fettling knife, small round sponge, 1 cup of low fire white slip.

 

 

 

Step 1: Using a wire, slice off an appropriate amount of clay from a block of low fire white moist clay. 

Step 2: Using the palms of your hands, slightly flatten the clay onto a piece of canvas.

Step 3: Beginning rolling the clay using a large rolling pin. Press firmly and roll the entire length of clay.

 

 

 

Step 4: Roll twice and turn the clay over. Repeat until the clay is rolled to desired thickness (1/4”-3/8”) and size (approx. 14”x 14”).

Step 5: Compare clay dimensions to plaster form to assure proper coverage.  

Step 6: Lift clay from canvas and place onto plaster form #SP01.

 

 

 

Step 7: Use sandbag to pounce the clay into the plaster form. Pounce until smooth. 

Step 8: Use a wooden fettling knife to cut the excess clay. Scallop the edge of the plate as you cut.

Step 9: Remove the excess clay and set aside.

 

 

 

Step 10: Use a moist sponge to smooth and clean the scalloped edge. 

Step 11: Blend the sponge marks into the plate texture.

Step 12: Place a 4” x4” piece of excess clay onto one of the ivy in the tool #SG05 .

 

 

 

Step 13: Using the bag of sand, pounce the clay into the form.

Step 14: Lift the clay from the form.

Step 15: Using a cleaning tool cut the ivy shape from the clay. Repeat 12-15 until you have gathered the desired number of clay ivy leaves.

 

 

 

Step 16: Use a moistened sponge to lightly clean edges of the ivy.

Step 17: After arranging the ivy on the plate, lightly score the area below the ivy on the plate.

Step 18: Use a cleaning tool to lightly score the back of the ivy.

 

 

 

Step 19: Apply a small amount of low fire white slip to the back of the ivy. 

Step 20: Depress the ivy onto the scored area on the plate.

Step 21: Roll thin ropes of clay, slip and depress the ropes onto the plate as ivy vines.

 

 

 

Step 22: Run the vines onto the appropriate area of each leaf and taper the vine into the leaf.

Step 23: Gently clean the leaves, plate and vines with a sponge and cleaning tool where necessary.

Step 24: When the plate is leather hard, remove it from the mold and clean the edges with a cleaning tool. Allow to dry completely before firing.