Slab Mug. September 2012
Our very first project was to create a slab mug. For this project we had to roll out the slab and use our shoe to add texture. I personally thought the bottom of my shoe created a neat texture. Then we had to slip and score the the sides together. I had a little trouble with this because it was my very first time, but it didn't set me back too much. I then slip and scored the bottom of my mug to the cylinder. My next task was to add a handle. This was probably my biggest set back. I made so many handles and none of them seemed to work. The final handle didn't turn out like I had planned, but it still looks pretty good, so I am okay with that. This being my first Ceramics project, I think it turned out pretty good.
Stella Cup. September 2012
I had to create a three legged cup out of a slab of clay. This was one of my first projects and I ran into some problems along the way. I had to roll out the slab and then create texture with the stamp I created prior to this. Then I had to cut the shape according to the template. This was where the difficulties occured. I had trouble getting the legs together. I also had trouble with the handle. The cup was completed and it is able to hold a liquid. Through my struggles I still came out with a successful Stella Cup.
Slab Vase. September 2012
This is my slab vase. I had to create two different textured slabs for this project. I then used the template to cut them out. My major problem with this project was getting the two slabs to mend together. When I finally had them together I had a very lopsided vase and had to work with it to get it back to normal. I also had troubles with the handles getting them to be even, which unfortunately didn't happen. However, the imperfections in my slab vase add to the character of the project and make it that much more unique.
Tea Bowl. October 2012
Making my tea bowl was my first experience on the wheel and I really enjoyed it. It took me a while to get used to the wheel, but I eventually got the hang of it. I had some troubles thinning out my sides, but that will come as I work more with the wheel. Inside my tea bowl, it is a little hard to see, but there is a swirl. That is for the purpose of the tea drinking ritual as a symbol. I was very happy with how my tea bowl turned out. My next projects on the wheel can only get better with practice.
Cylinder. November 2012
This is the first cylinder I made that actually looked like a cylinder. I had troubles pulling up the sides because I had a tendency to pull out on the walls, instead of up. This is definitely not my favorite piece I made. It is very simple and there is nothing too exciting about it, but I figured I could dress it up by using multiple colors of glaze.
Altered Cylinder. November 2012
My Altered Cylinder was a piece of work. It took me many tries to get it to be bowed. Once I had a cute little bowed cylinder, my walls began to collapse. I ended up pulling out and making the top of the the cylinder a square shape. When I went to cut it off the bat, I cut a hole in the bottom of the cylinder. I'm too stubborn to start over, so I let it dry out a bit, and the next day I rolled out a slab to attach to the bottom. I slip and scored it and then my Altered Cylinder was complete. Even though I had a lot of mishaps with this project, after it was glazed, it ended up looking pretty good!
Whistle. November 2012
The whistle project was quite the challenge. I didn't have any troubles making the potato shape and hollowing it out. I began having trouble when I had to create the blow hole and the other holes to make the sounds. It took a lot of trial and error and tweaking to make my whistle work. But in the end it ended up being able to make three different sounds, which makes it perfect for playing Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb. I added a flower to make it more exciting and spray painted it to make it pretty.