Hope you enjoy this video! As always Ive included some tips for making your own. Because if you’re going to make a big bowl why not make it a planter!!
1. Prepare the clay:
– Take a suitable amount of clay for your desired bowl size. Large bowls require more clay.
– Begin by kneading the clay to remove any air bubbles and make it more pliable.
2. Center the clay on the wheel:
-Place your ball of clay in the center of the wheel head, applying slight pressure. Placing the ball of clay as centre as possible will give you a much better time when conning, you start as you finish so to speak
3. Open the bowl:
– Wet your hands and create a depression in the center of the clay mound, using your thumbs or fingers.
– Form the base by using your thumb to press the clay base towards the wheel head
– Then, Begin throwing up and outward, gradually widening the depression to create the bowl’s interior.
– Keep the walls even in thickness. Keeping your elbows to the side of your body helps 🙂
4. Shape the bowl:
– Use your hands, wet sponge, and various pottery tools to refine the shape and smooth the interior and exterior surfaces. (Kidneys ect)
– Ensure the walls are uniform in thickness to avoid cracking during drying and firing.
5. Make the bowl a planter:
– Once the bowl is thrown and trimmed, you can transform it into a planter by adding a small drainage hole.
– Do this the next day once leather hard or on the day while its still on the bat
– Use a needle tool or a small carving tool to pierce a small hole in the center of the bowl’s base.
– Gently enlarge the hole to the desired size, allowing excess water to drain out when the bowl is used as a planter.
6. Finishing touches:
– Smooth any rough edges or imperfections with a sponge
7 When completely dry, fire the bowl in a kiln according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions. (We recommend 2-3weeks drying but this can be longer depending on weather, wet clay will explode in the kiln so if your unsure best to wait 😊)
