Today, we’ll guide you through the creative process of making a unique fruit basket. Follow these steps to craft your very own fruit basket:
Step 1: Prepare Your Materials Before you begin, gather the following materials:
• A clay slab
• A ruler or square
• A pot for moulding
• A roller
• Cutting tools
For more on preparing your clay such as wedging & rolling out your clay, check out our previous blog post “How to make a pottery tumbler part 1-2“
Step 2: Start by using your ruler or square to mark out your clay slab. Ensure that the strips you’re about to create are of even width. Once you’ve marked the clay, carefully cut out the strips.
Step 3: Take a pot and use it as a mould for your basket. Place the first strip around the bottom of the pot and use a roller to gently compress the clay. This ensures that the clay conforms to the pot’s shape.
Step 4: Drape the first two strips over the base. Take note of the overhang for the vertical strips. To create a polished look, cut a point at the end of each strip and evenly place them around the pot. Compress the clay with each addition. Utilizing the roller for this step will make your work more manageable.
Step 5: Begin weaving the horizontal strips, starting from the base. Alternate between going under and then going over, maintaining this pattern as you work your way around the basket. When you reach the point of joining the strips ends, use your tools to compress the clay and ensure the joins are seamless.
Step 6: After all the strips are in place, trim the overhangs to be level with the rim of the basket. This step gives your fruit basket a neat and finished appearance.
Continuing Your Fruit Basket Project – Part 2
Welcome to the second part of crafting your very own fruit basket. In this phase, we’ll guide you through the final steps to complete your beautiful creation.
Step 1: Before attaching the last strip, make sure to score and slip the area where it will join the basket. This step ensures a strong connection. Use a roller to compress all the joins, so your basket remains sturdy.
Step 2: To give your basket a stable base, cut out four small feet from clay using a cookie cutter. Score and slip the bottom of the basket and attach these feet securely. This will elevate your basket and prevent it from directly contacting surfaces when fully glazed.
Step 3: Once the basket has dried sufficiently, carefully flip it over and gently remove the mould.
Step 4: Use a clay knife to even up the rim of the basket, ensuring it has a clean and uniform appearance. Afterward, take a damp mud sponge to clean up both the rim and the interior of the basket.
Step 5: For the finishing touch, take two strips of clay, give them a twist, and then score and slip the areas where you want to attach them to the rim. Securely attach these strips to create easy-to-hold handles, enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of your fruit basket.
Step 6: Admire Your Finished Basket With the handles in place, your woven fruit basket is now complete. Allow to thoroughly dry before bisque firing then apply glaze and then glaze fire.
Happy Potting to you! 😀
