Clay Tools Needed: rubber rib, scoring tool (or a needle tool), a rubber stylus, wooden rib, slip trailing bottle. 
All of my work is slab built from lowfire clay. Using a slab roller, I roll the clay out to 1/4" thickness. (Before I had a slab roller I used a rolling pin and 1/4" wooden dowels to keep the thickness even.)
It occurred to me one day making biscuits, that the same process could be applied to my Minis. I now have biscuit cutters in a variety of sizes and the process is much, much quicker It also keeps the sizes more consistant. (Don't worry. These aren't the same cutters I use on the weekends for fresh parsley, rosemary and buttermilk biscuits.) Oh, I like the clay to be a little wetter than leather hard when I start work work with it.
All of my work is slab built from lowfire clay. Using a slab roller, I roll the clay out to 1/4" thickness. (Before I had a slab roller I used a rolling pin and 1/4" wooden dowels to keep the thickness even.)
It occurred to me one day making biscuits, that the same process could be applied to my Minis. I now have biscuit cutters in a variety of sizes and the process is much, much quicker It also keeps the sizes more consistant. (Don't worry. These aren't the same cutters I use on the weekends for fresh parsley, rosemary and buttermilk biscuits.) Oh, I like the clay to be a little wetter than leather hard when I start work work with it.
Each mini is made up of 2 circular slabs. The base is 1/2 smaller than the top. A rubber rib is used to smooth the surface of the clay. I also like working ontop of fabric interfacing instead of canvus because the weave is finer and leaves the clay surface smooth. 
The top is then pinched into a small bowl-like shape
The edges of the top and bottom are scored (aka scratched)...
...and a slip of the same clay body is brushed on help attach the two pieces. 
The top is placed ontop of the bottom, carefully working the seams together. 
The top is then pinched into a small bowl-like shape
The edges of the top and bottom are scored (aka scratched)...
...and a slip of the same clay body is brushed on help attach the two pieces. 
The top is placed ontop of the bottom, carefully working the seams together. 
Using a wooden rib, I then go around the piece and smooth and attach the two pieces, conceiling the seam.
Fingers also are helpful...
Once the piece if formed, I use my rubber stylus to draw/carve decorative lines or veins.
Again, fingers are great for smoothing those lines.
Now, I leave the piece alone until it is leather hard and then incorporate slip trailing/stippling. More on that tomorrow - including the lowfire slip recipe I like to use.If you have any questions, or other tips for clay slab construction, I'd love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading!
Meagan
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5 comments:
This is a cool lesson in slab work. I love how you make one larger than the other - for smooth attaching.
I'd love to see your low-fire slip recipe.
Thank you so much for demonstrating this. I can't wait to see you decorate. Your eye for color is beautiful.
michele d
Hi Meagan,
Just discovered your blog and work...so beautiful!! Love your pieces!! Thanks for sharing this technique...:)
Best wishes, Jorna
the Netherlands
Thank you for sharing this technique, Meagan. As an art teacher, I am always on the lookout for new ideas.
Bird - you are most welcome! I still hope to write a post soon on the slab built tumblers I experimented with in Montana. I'm happy to help share info any way that I can!
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