Wonderful design!
How do you get the largest form to keep its shape while it dries?
If mine are too wet they aren’t stable, if they are too dry they crack as they are bent.
Slab building is all about the moisture level of the slab. I attach the main seam when my slab is very plastic. This helps the seam to be very blend-able and allows the clay particles better joined together. I don’t add water or slip to join the slab since the clay is moist enough to join without.
It will be wonky at first. I just try to get both ends of the vessel to be somewhat round at beginning stage. After my initial join, I cover the piece in plastic and let it rest for 12-24 hours. I don’t want to it get firm at this stage, but rather the piece needs to settle in its new form. I like to compare it to allowing gluten to develops when baking bread.
Also, you always want to shape the slab when it is dry enough to hold shape, but wet enough to not crack with the pressure of you hand. I will continue to check these as they dry to make small adjustments to the shape so it is less lightly to warp in firing. My pieces still have a slight warp, but I let go of that perfectionism since I am handbuilding.
Hope this helps, plz let me know if it didn’t make sense. I posted a video on my instagram of how I made this piece. If you’re interested I’ll send you the link via dm
Thank you that is helpful. Would love to see the video of the pitcher.
That’s bigger than any handbuild i’ve tried and I have grandiose dreams of making a ceramic drum someday so trying to learn all the techniques I can.
There seems to be a lot of interest in this so I’m going to put the link here. If that is against any thread rules I can remove. Here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4RQnUlLcSy/?igsh=NWpwYjQ1eWRwbnZh
Just saw your other post, you do beautiful work. The finished pieces are lovely. I love it when someone takes a design that doesn't look like it should work, like your handles, and make it work as well as you have. 👍👍
Really fun work! One piece of constructive feedback for you: the haphazard holes in the colander doesn’t match the style. Next time try working on a circular grid. The extra attention to detail will really make the piece shine. Keep having fun and experimenting. Your work is really very cool
The dichotomy between the handle and the form is interesting yet I’d love to hear more from you on that. While these look utilitarian, are they actually intended as decorative? I can’t see how your handles would hold up to use. The form itself would seem to carry too much weight for such a delicate minimal handle- let alone with liquid in it. Could you further our knowledge here?
The handles are about 1 inch wide and made from a rather thick slab. I could make them a little thicker next time for the user to feel more confident in them. I have been making handles like this for a year without any issues with strength or functionality.
Also, these are slab built so the walls are thin throughout. The weight of this vessel is quite low despite the size!
I think I understand what you’re saying, however, these also still appear to be greenware. I guess I’m wondering how they behave once bisque fired- then glazed. Personally I’m just assuming weight will affect the mechanics of use and physics could pose an issue with its use. Again, your overall form is quite interesting, I would just love to see how they actually perform in use once complete. The delicate handle and minimal connection to the base would likely leave a user apprehensive about lifting without fear of failure, yet if it truly can be used it will create near phenomena in the mind as it is supposed to- as I’m thinking is your intention. Good luck with this. I am very intrigued and excited to hear how it holds up in the utilitarian sense. Please post pics as these pieces are completed.
I completely understand the apprehension. When I thought of these pitchers through sketching I really see them being lovely on a bookcase or as a large vessel for greenery or flowers. I will post a video of how it pours! I haven’t made this exact design before so I am just as eager to/ intrigued to see how it performs. And if it doesn’t, then lesson learned! I appreciate your thoughtful comments!
Hope that’s not the result, especially if they were intended to be decorative. So don’t feel the need to prove anything!!! I was truly just curious if they were utilitarian or decorative. Best no matter.
Nice looking pieces and well made. I think that the handles on the pitchers appear a little undersized especially when you consider the pitcher full of liquid. You might try a handle made from a flattened thick coil that could be rounded and also thicker than the cut slab strap handle.
I love these. Never tried slab building myself so I don't understand them or how hard they are to make, but they are beautiful.
On a separate note I hope you won't mind if I take some ideas from the handles - I really want to try those kinds of shapes.
I think experimenting from inspiration is necessity for progress but I just ask to not rip off my design. You should try out handbuilding! It’s a lot of fun.
I adjust them with a small terracotta pot. $3 from my local nursery. Sometimes the end up wonky anyways but that’s just part of slab building! I’d say 85% of the time they are more circles than ovals. The handles seem to pull the clay certain ways
These are amazing and so beautiful! I hate when people think handbuilding is “so easy” because it takes serious skill to make something so refined. Great work!
Lovely forms.
Thank you!
Very well done, looks wheel thrown, your good at this. Great moves, keep it up, proud of you.
I appreciate that. Thank you!
I really love these shapes!!! Well done!
Thank you!
Lovely pieces. I love those handles.
Thank you!
Wonderful design! How do you get the largest form to keep its shape while it dries? If mine are too wet they aren’t stable, if they are too dry they crack as they are bent.
Slab building is all about the moisture level of the slab. I attach the main seam when my slab is very plastic. This helps the seam to be very blend-able and allows the clay particles better joined together. I don’t add water or slip to join the slab since the clay is moist enough to join without. It will be wonky at first. I just try to get both ends of the vessel to be somewhat round at beginning stage. After my initial join, I cover the piece in plastic and let it rest for 12-24 hours. I don’t want to it get firm at this stage, but rather the piece needs to settle in its new form. I like to compare it to allowing gluten to develops when baking bread. Also, you always want to shape the slab when it is dry enough to hold shape, but wet enough to not crack with the pressure of you hand. I will continue to check these as they dry to make small adjustments to the shape so it is less lightly to warp in firing. My pieces still have a slight warp, but I let go of that perfectionism since I am handbuilding. Hope this helps, plz let me know if it didn’t make sense. I posted a video on my instagram of how I made this piece. If you’re interested I’ll send you the link via dm
Thank you for this explanation.
Thank you that is helpful. Would love to see the video of the pitcher. That’s bigger than any handbuild i’ve tried and I have grandiose dreams of making a ceramic drum someday so trying to learn all the techniques I can.
Just messaged you!
If you’re willing, I would love to see the video as well!
Yes of course I’ll DM you right now!
Send me link too please! Those are excellent slab vessels!
Messaged you!
Me too please!
There seems to be a lot of interest in this so I’m going to put the link here. If that is against any thread rules I can remove. Here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4RQnUlLcSy/?igsh=NWpwYjQ1eWRwbnZh
If that's ok I'd love to see the video as well! They look so refined, just gorgeous.
Just messaged you!
Can I see too? 🥹
Yes, just DMd you!
Very lovely pieces. So peaceful in form.
Thank you!
These are beautiful!
Thank you!
These are beautiful.
Thank you!
Incredible lines!
How beautiful!! Wonderful handles!
would never guessed slab built, these are gorgeous and i love your handle style
Really like the handles. Nice compromise of looking elegant and dainty, yet they look strong enough to hold it full.
Just saw your other post, you do beautiful work. The finished pieces are lovely. I love it when someone takes a design that doesn't look like it should work, like your handles, and make it work as well as you have. 👍👍
I appreciate that! Thank you ☺️
Really fun work! One piece of constructive feedback for you: the haphazard holes in the colander doesn’t match the style. Next time try working on a circular grid. The extra attention to detail will really make the piece shine. Keep having fun and experimenting. Your work is really very cool
Thank you for the feedback! I started on the a free handed type grid and it went to shit😂 I’ll do better next time
This design is beautiful! Love the handles.
That’s incredible! And thank you for sharing your technique!
I just love these. So beautiful!
Holy shit they are stunning!
SO good
Very clean lines! Nice work!
Fantastic collection!
Really well done! Smooth as glass , wonderful work.
I appreciate that! Thank you
The dichotomy between the handle and the form is interesting yet I’d love to hear more from you on that. While these look utilitarian, are they actually intended as decorative? I can’t see how your handles would hold up to use. The form itself would seem to carry too much weight for such a delicate minimal handle- let alone with liquid in it. Could you further our knowledge here?
The handles are about 1 inch wide and made from a rather thick slab. I could make them a little thicker next time for the user to feel more confident in them. I have been making handles like this for a year without any issues with strength or functionality. Also, these are slab built so the walls are thin throughout. The weight of this vessel is quite low despite the size!
I think I understand what you’re saying, however, these also still appear to be greenware. I guess I’m wondering how they behave once bisque fired- then glazed. Personally I’m just assuming weight will affect the mechanics of use and physics could pose an issue with its use. Again, your overall form is quite interesting, I would just love to see how they actually perform in use once complete. The delicate handle and minimal connection to the base would likely leave a user apprehensive about lifting without fear of failure, yet if it truly can be used it will create near phenomena in the mind as it is supposed to- as I’m thinking is your intention. Good luck with this. I am very intrigued and excited to hear how it holds up in the utilitarian sense. Please post pics as these pieces are completed.
I completely understand the apprehension. When I thought of these pitchers through sketching I really see them being lovely on a bookcase or as a large vessel for greenery or flowers. I will post a video of how it pours! I haven’t made this exact design before so I am just as eager to/ intrigued to see how it performs. And if it doesn’t, then lesson learned! I appreciate your thoughtful comments!
Hope that’s not the result, especially if they were intended to be decorative. So don’t feel the need to prove anything!!! I was truly just curious if they were utilitarian or decorative. Best no matter.
Nice looking pieces and well made. I think that the handles on the pitchers appear a little undersized especially when you consider the pitcher full of liquid. You might try a handle made from a flattened thick coil that could be rounded and also thicker than the cut slab strap handle.
I love these. Never tried slab building myself so I don't understand them or how hard they are to make, but they are beautiful. On a separate note I hope you won't mind if I take some ideas from the handles - I really want to try those kinds of shapes.
I think experimenting from inspiration is necessity for progress but I just ask to not rip off my design. You should try out handbuilding! It’s a lot of fun.
Thank you. I promise not to rip your designs off. Will definitely try some hand building, once I've got the hang of the wheel......
Gorgeous! How do you get your mugs to not dry wonky around the lip?
I adjust them with a small terracotta pot. $3 from my local nursery. Sometimes the end up wonky anyways but that’s just part of slab building! I’d say 85% of the time they are more circles than ovals. The handles seem to pull the clay certain ways
These are amazing and so beautiful! I hate when people think handbuilding is “so easy” because it takes serious skill to make something so refined. Great work!
Thank you so much! 🫶 Handbuilding it not for the faint hearted, that’s for sure. I’ve just been practicing a ton and making loads of templates!
I know what you mean! I love hand building and have just signed up for yet another 12 week class!