Assignment: The assignment is to create a open form coil pot with even thicknesses on the coils. We usually base this off of the paper towel roll size but you can eventually start to allow it to make it's own shape (as long as that shape is not the leaning tower of pizza). Steps: • grab a small tennis ball size of clay, make sure to wedge the clay (about 100 times) before you start to make your coil pot • use a paper towel roll as the template for the size of the coil vase and base of the piece. • start with a piece of slab (can be hand made) that is the size of the bottom of the paper towel roll, this is your base. • then make a small carrot size piece of clay to start rolling out your coil snake, roll from the palm of your hand through to your spread out fingertips to make the best rounded coil. Watch when your coil becomes flat and pay extra attention to those areas. • coil thickness is up to you but make sure it is even from middle to the ends • score the sides of the base and one side of your coil, add slip and start building one single layer at a time (DO NOT coil around from the bottom and build many layers without stopping, this will result in a lop sided piece) • score and slip between each layer of coil, and have fun with your coils, different shapes and sizes are more fun Objective: To create a tall coil vase by rolling coils and building layer by layer.
Assignment: The assignment is to create a mug with a handle. Rolling your slab to an even thickness is important, and also securing the seam, bottom, and handle using slip. You have the option to make a taller or shorter mug, add a textured foot on the bottom, or leave it flat. Steps: • start making a small container of slip for the construction of your mug • grab a softball size of clay, make sure to wedge the clay (about 100 times) before you start to make your mug • you will be rolling out a large piece of slab for the body of the mug, And later one small textured strip for the handle. • once rolled out, cut your slab in a long rectangle, use your worksheet to make sure you are cutting the proper size rectangle of clay for the body of the mug. Create a texture in the slab before you start construction of the mug • Fold your textured slab into a mug shape and score and slip the ends to make a perfect hidden seam (this seam is where your handle will attach so it does not have to be perfect) • Cut small triangles in the corner of the clay to fold inward for the bottom of the mug, score and slip to attach the bottom piece of clay to the mug • roll another piece of slab for the handle, this can be thicker or thinner (1/2" - 1") and should have a coordinating texture • score and slip the top and bottom parts of the handle, reinforce with some newspaper so it doesn't fall. Objective: To create a mug from slab, and to reinforce seams and attach handles using slip.
Assignment: The assignment is to create a textured vase with even thicknesses around that stands about 6"-8" tall. The textured rim and base should be about 1" each and can match or should compliment the texture you have chosen to put on the body of the vase. Steps: • You will be making a large piece of slab for the body of the vase, 2 small 1" strips of slab for the top and bottom textured edges, and a small circle of slab for the bottom of the vase • grab a larger softball size of clay, make sure to wedge the clay (about 100 times) before you start to make your vase • consider what the final height of the vase will be and roll out your piece of slab giving enough width to stand at least 6" tall. • once rolled out, cut your slab in a long rectangle, long enough to wrap around one of the paper towel rolls we have to help create the long thin body of the vase. • make a small circle of slab to attach to the bottom of the vase • once rolled around the paper towel roll, take your excess class and roll out another piece of slab, big enough to make two 1" strips for the top and bottom. Be sure not to make extremely thick or extremely thin strips of clay because they will be difficult to attach. Objective: To get comfortable with rolling out and working with slab. From rolling out slab to scoring and attaching different pieces of clay.  The bottle shape—or vase—is one of the most common shapes we see in ceramics. Over the years the shape has changed and morphed from something useful (a vessel to hold water and/or other liquids) to something decorative (a vase to hold flowers or decorative items). For this project we are going to be pulling a bottle shape from one piece of clay, starting like a pinch pot and pulling upward to form the lip of the vase. Assignment: The assignment is to create a pinch vase with even thicknesses on the sides that will hold water and looks like a vase. You have the option to make a pot that flares out or in, or is smoothed or has original texture of your finger marks. Steps: • grab a small tennis ball size of clay, make sure to wedge the clay (about 100 times) before you start to make your pinch pot • consider what the size will be and start pinching from the bottom, working your way around the ball • do not create one side and then try to match the other side, remember that ceramics is working 3 dimensionally in the round, so work around the clay • be sure not to make extremely thick or extremely thin because it will crack when drying or during the bisque fire Objective: To create a form by pinching and pulling clay from one large piece of clay without the use of tools.   
Assignment: You will create one decorative wall sconce. These will be glazed so they can be actually used as decorative item on the wall, but you can choose to glaze with clear to keep the natural state of the clay body if you wish. Steps: • Research photos of wall sconces to see some options. Keep in mind that we are creating a cone shaped sconce, not a wall sconce that goes over a light source. • Start with a tennis ball size ball of clay and roll out to 1/4" thick. • If you want a texture choose a texture mat or stamp before folding or carve into the slab (dry point) • Let the clay set up a little bit before folding over a cone shape (or making your own freehand cone). • Once folded decide if you want to cut off your excess clay or fold it over and pinch the edges like the photo below • Don't forget to poke a small hole in the wide part of the opening of the cone (one where you can hang the sconce on a nail). Maybe the size of a hole punch.  The pinch pot is one of the most fundamental objects in ceramics. It's how everyone starts with handling and molding clay and getting used to the tactility that clay offers. Warning: it's messy! It starts with a ball of clay that is molded into a pot that can be used as a mug, or a small decorative item to hold jewelry or change, or just to look pretty. Assignment: The assignment is to create a pinch pot with even thicknesses on the sides and a base that allows the pot to stand up straight. You have the option to make a pot that flares out or in, or is smoothed or has original texture of your finger marks. Steps: • grab a small tennis ball size of clay, make sure to wedge the clay (about 100 times) before you start to make your pinch pot • consider what the size will be and start pinching from the bottom, working your way around the ball • do not create one side and then try to match the other side, remember that ceramics is working 3 dimensionally in the round, so work around the clay • be sure not to make extremely thick or extremely thin because it will crack when drying or during the bisque fire  |
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