Contemporary Nagiere Vase

Materials:

high fire clay cone 5-6
high fire glaze cone 5-6
slab roller
kiln
kitchen rolling pin
ruler
pin tool
scratch tool
cheese slicer
slip
sponges
large dowel
spray water bottle
clay template for base
wax resist - optional

1. Weight and prepare clay amounts:

• One 2-lb. slab for the base
• Five smaller slabs at 3/4 pound each for the flower vases

2. Base: Adjust the slab roller thickness to 1/4-inch and roll out a large rectangle for the base of the vase using the two pound clay piece.

3. Smooth the clay with a rolling pin and cut the base with a pin tool, create wavy lines on the long sides and curves on the ends (figure A). Smooth the edges with a sponge and water (figure B).

4. Flip the clay over and sign your name on the bottom. Flip it back with the right side up. Spritz with water and set aside.

5. Vases: Adjust the slab roller thickness and roll out the five smaller slabs to 1/8-inch thick. Cut each clay piece into 7" x 8" pieces for the vases.

6. Cut one end of each of the five slabs into wavy lines with a pin tool (figure C).

7. Remove the excess clay and smooth the edges of the waves using your fingers (figure D).

8. Five Vases:

• Roll each small slab loosely around a dowel starting with the straight edge.
• Score the edges and apply slip (figure E).
• Seal the edges together to form a tube.
• Remove the dowel (figure F).
• Repeat with each of the five clay pieces (figure G).

9. Trim the bottoms of each tube at an angle with a cheese slicer (figure H). Vary the length of each tube.

10. Mark the base for the five spots for the vase tubes with a ruler.

11. Score the base and bottoms of each tube. Attach the vase tubes to the base. Check the side view to make sure the tubes line up in a desired arrangement (figure I).

12. Let the contemporary Nagiere vase dry between 4-5 days to a bone-dry state.

13. Load the green ware vase into the kiln for bisque firing to cone 05 (1891-degrees).

14. Remove the vase from the kiln.

16. Mix the glazes thoroughly. Apply the glaze by pouring it on the insides of the vases and brushing it on the outsides (figure J). Clean off the edges and bottom of piece.

17. Load the vase into the kiln and fire to cone 5 (2165-degrees).

18. Unload the kiln. Add water to the Nagiere vases and insert fresh flowers (figure K).

E-mail: pottery@swcp.com
Website: www.ritaspots.blogspot.com