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Making a Pottery Tray

What is needed:

Step by step:

1) Use a slab roller or rolling pin to flatten the clay to about ¼" thick.

2) Place the slab on one sheet of newspaper.

3) Smooth the surface of the slab with a window wipe or a metal pottery kidney.

4) Spray WD-40 (or any other lubricant) on the bottom part of the wood.

5) Mark the inner part of the tray on the clay using the piece of wood as an outline.

6) Place leaves or such on the middle section of the tray and push into the clay with the rolling pin.

7) Decorate what will be the rim of the tray with stamps or other means.

8) Cut the slab of clay to about 1" - 1 1/2" from the outline marked previously. The 1" - 1 1/2" size will be the tray's rim.

9) Move the slab with the newspaper to the top surface of the foam.

10) Place the piece of wood in the center of the slab (note that if the outside dimensions of the tray are 8"x12", the piece of wood need to be approx. 6"x10"). Make sure you place the lubricated side of the wood with the rounded corners on to the clay.

11) Push the wood onto the clay until the rime of the tray erects to the desired angle. Than let go. The tray is now formed.

12) Use the pin tool carefully to remove the wood from the clay by lifting one corner first.

13) Let tray dry and bisque.

14) Glaze and place the glass where desired (if using cone 6 electric firing).

Morty Bachar Nov 2, 2004

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Have you ever come up with a good idea while working with your handmade pottery or ceramics and thought that you would like to share it with others? You have? Well, why not send it to us and we will add it to the tips page for all to see.

Handmade pottery can be a very gratifying hobby that produces fun and satisfying results. For many people it's an enjoyable release that is created by working an inanimate mound of clay into a beautiful work of art that you made through your artistic abilities.

The best way of starting out is to take a few lessons. You will probably waste quite a bit in materials when you first get started. Figuring out how to truly make handmade pottery correctly and shape into what you want it to be can be quite an ordeal. The different tools that a normal shop will have can be fun to try. You will soon see which ones you like to use the most and then when you are ready you will know which ones to buy.

When you get all set up, just enjoy the hobby and have fun at it. Some people get pretty serious and start selling their creations at craft fairs and small stores, but others just like to create items for themselves, relatives, and friends. Whichever kind of handmade pottery you desire to endeavor, enjoy the hobby and have fun doing it.