Crafting a beautiful art vase doesn’t require a potter’s wheel; let’s dive into the process:
1. Start with two clay halves, meticulously cut out from a template. Place these halves over a mould and shape them, then score and slip and join them together.
2. To achieve uniformity and ensure a flawless connection, employ a mud tool and damp sponge to carefully smooth out the joins between the two clay halves.
3. Using a cookie cutter, mark the centre of your vase and create a clear imprint on the clay surface.
4. Now, take a clay knife and expertly cut an opening in the clay. This step is essential for the vase’s form and function.
5. Refine the shoulder of the vase using your finger and a damp mud tool sponge. This step contributes to the vase’s overall shape and appearance.
6. Take a strip of clay and shape it into the neck of the vase. Ensure a secure connection by scoring and slipping the neck, then use a tool to compress the join before smoothing it with a small chamois.
7. The final touch for the vase is to gently widen the neck. Run your wet finger around the rim, expanding the circumference as you go. A damp sponge is used to refine and finish this section.
8. And there you have it, a beautifully crafted art vase, created without the need for a potter’s wheel.
This process showcases the artistry and skill required to craft a unique and elegant vase, demonstrating that artistry in ceramics can take various forms, even without a traditional potter’s wheel.
Happy Potting to you! 😀
