Sunday, 21 April 2013

Throwing, drying and trimming


Every wheel thrown pot comes from a cylinder. Vases are tall thin ones and plates are short fat ones but they all begin as a cylinder, and bowls are no exception.
Every pot begins as a cylinder.
(Click for a larger image)
The cylinder is drawn to the desired height and then shaping begins.Cindy demonstrates throwing a bowl with the Perfect Profile Rib..
Here's a video of the Perfect Profile Rib being used on a large plate.
Shaping the bowl.
(Click for a larger image)
Excess water is removed from the bowl with a sponge which also smoothes the surface and contributes to the strength of the finished bowl when it is in your kitchen environment.
Sponging excess water and smoothing the surface of the wheel thrown pottery.
(Click for a larger image)
The freshly thrown bowl is then removed from the wheel and allowed to dry to a "leather hard" state at which point it can be trimmed to remove excess clay from the bottom and establish a foot.
Trimming the leather hard pot.
(Click for a larger image)
Cindy demonstrates trimming a bowl on the wheel.
Once the pot is trimmed it is again set on the shelf to dry. This will take several days for a bowl this size as the drying rate must be carefully controlled to prevent cracking. We have found these bakers racks are ideal for drying as they allow a uniform air flow around the pieces. Plastic sheets enclose the shelves and are adjusted to control the drying rate.
Green pots drying on drying racks.

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