Handcarved Porcelain Bowl

Materials:

porcelain clay
under glaze
green glaze
string
Dolan trimming tools
dental tools
sponge
water pillow*
kiln
safety equipment: safety glasses and respirator
spray painting machine
potter’s wheel
rib
*The water pillow is used to place the piece on while carving.

1) Throw the bowl on a potter's wheel (figure A). Smooth the outer sides using a rib.

2) Trim the bottom of the bowl (figure B).

3) Allow pot dry until it reaches a bone-dry stage, approximately two weeks.

4) Draw horizontal grid lines on the bowl using the wheel (figure C).

5) Draw vertical grid lines on the bowl using a string to measure (figure D).

6) Mark the design, cascading overlapping flowers, on the grid lightly with a needle-carving tool (figure E). Dampen the clay before beginning to carve. Carve the design, continually brushing away the dust (figure F).

7) Wipe the bowl with a damp sponge to remove the small scratch marks.

8) Wearing safety gear, spray under glaze on bowl to add color.

9) Bisque-fire the bowl, cone 05, approximately 1850 degrees F. Note: The timing will be different for every kiln. A tiny kiln may take up to about six hours to fire; a larger kiln could take 12 hours.

10) Heat the bowl in the kiln until it is to hot to touch. This evaporates the water in the glaze so the glaze will stick better to the pot and not drip. Then spray glaze on it (figure G).

11) Fire again to a higher temperature; cone 6, about 2150 degrees F.

Website: www.lynnemeadeporcelain.com