If you wanted to continue with a line of slab plates, GR Pottery make mds precut molds you can use with a wheel! Thanks for the (as always) excellent video! Best wishes to you and yours.
Jessica Putnam-Phillips suggests placing rice in old long sleeves of shirts and laying them on her slab plates to avoid warping. I am a new potter, only been dabbling in it for about 1.5yrs. I've tried it and it worked for me. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of the firing.
Matthew, I think making the trays as you did will certainly give them a more organic quality than using a mold. Like you, I also stumbled upon that technique when trying to make a tray I had no premade form for and I loved it's balance of structure and improvasation. I am eager to see your results!
You can also use a smaller piece of square cut plywood, sand the edges and corners a bit and use your foam to press it in. Works like the brand name pottery form and holds its shape pretty well when you lift it off. But does better if you add feet while it is still on the form ( use corn holder to cut ring, score/slip) less warping.
Thanks for another great video, Matthew. Tip: You should be standing up straight at your work bench. You'll want to make that change before you are forced to.
When you figure out how to keep them flat let me know, I've been chasing that rabbit for years. If there was a market for taco shaped trays I could corner the market! 😂😂
that's a lot of work for a slab tray . . . I do mine 2 ways . . . using mdf to make the inside shape I push my plates into foam, harder push than you tried so the edges come up, then straighten them out when I put them down . . . to make all of my plates/platters flat I add socks full of sand to weigh them down while slowly drying them . . . the second method is drape molding, using a carved foam pattern I drape the clay over the mold and smooth it down, put feet on the bottom if I choose, let it stiffen up before I flip it and remove the foam mold . . . hope this helps
If you continue slab work like this, roll out the slabs ahead of time so they can set up. And use the foam. You can even use your bats to press down. Any shape. Faster than what you did.
@@theabristlebroom4378 thanks Thea for responding. Unsure if powders, shells, etc can degrade elements in an electric kiln. I was previously discouraged from using ash glazes in an electric kiln. All the best, Marlys
Very creative idea. I hope it works out for you. I really like the long, thin tray. Great shape. Since they are all different sizes, how are you planning to stack them to get the effect?
I think you need to put your work table on a hydraulic type lift so you can raise and lower it to different heights depending on what you are doing. The table was too low for this project and will be a stain on your back and neck. Any hey who doesn't love hydraulics, lol. Do the spots where the wads were sitting during firing make that area of the pots not water proof? Great video, can't wait to see what else you do to the plates and how they fire. Thanks
Hi Matt, I hope you are doing well. [stealing your punch line there; LOL] I like the idea of a `detailed unload` of the next wood firing [as a video and not live]. The bottom of that planter base IS fantastic, absolutely love it. Pity it was on the bottom where it won't be seen! BUT As you said in the video, you can take advantage of just where it was in the firing, if it was covered or stacked etc etc; so you can put `certain pots` of your choice in that same, or similar position to "hopefully" obtain similar effects on the next pots IN that position. I'd also be interested to see what you did with the platters after today afore they go into the firing :) I will look forward to seeing them completed and the best of luck with your hopes for them Matt. Cheers.
BTW, it looked like you used a lot of baby corn starch. Doesn't that dry your clay out and cause it to crack. I use cooking corn starch and mine dries out. Is there a difference between the formula for babies and cooking corn starch? Love your videos, Thank you for the extra effort put in so we can see your stunning results
I love that you are still learning new stuff after all these years. So inspiring
You’re having quite the creative growth spurt! I love it! Thanks so much for keeping me entertained and inspired during these hard times. 💜
I have used picture frames on a board as a slump mould for slab forming.
If you wanted to continue with a line of slab plates, GR Pottery make mds precut molds you can use with a wheel! Thanks for the (as always) excellent video! Best wishes to you and yours.
Frank Hott you took the words right out of my mouth! And if I was closer, I’d even let him try some of mine
Love your videos.. When I make plates, I always lay sand bags on them so they dry flat. Just a thought. :-)
Jessica Putnam-Phillips suggests placing rice in old long sleeves of shirts and laying them on her slab plates to avoid warping. I am a new potter, only been dabbling in it for about 1.5yrs. I've tried it and it worked for me. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of the firing.
Matthew, I think making the trays as you did will certainly give them a more organic quality than using a mold. Like you, I also stumbled upon that technique when trying to make a tray I had no premade form for and I loved it's balance of structure and improvasation. I am eager to see your results!
You can also use a smaller piece of square cut plywood, sand the edges and corners a bit and use your foam to press it in. Works like the brand name pottery form and holds its shape pretty well when you lift it off. But does better if you add feet while it is still on the form ( use corn holder to cut ring, score/slip) less warping.
Thanks for another great video, Matthew. Tip: You should be standing up straight at your work bench. You'll want to make that change before you are forced to.
When you figure out how to keep them flat let me know, I've been chasing that rabbit for years. If there was a market for taco shaped trays I could corner the market! 😂😂
of rice in a cloth
that's a lot of work for a slab tray . . . I do mine 2 ways . . . using mdf to make the inside shape I push my plates into foam, harder push than you tried so the edges come up, then straighten them out when I put them down . . . to make all of my plates/platters flat I add socks full of sand to weigh them down while slowly drying them . . . the second method is drape molding, using a carved foam pattern I drape the clay over the mold and smooth it down, put feet on the bottom if I choose, let it stiffen up before I flip it and remove the foam mold . . . hope this helps
Love that Mt Everett on top of your head !!
Another wonderful video, love your choice of tool aids.
If you continue slab work like this, roll out the slabs ahead of time so they can set up. And use the foam. You can even use your bats to press down. Any shape. Faster than what you did.
If you reuse the scrap clay, does baby powder or corn starch residue create any issue? Just a stray thought. Thx for posting.
All organic matter will burn off in the kiln, if that is what you're asking.
@@theabristlebroom4378 thanks Thea for responding. Unsure if powders, shells, etc can degrade elements in an electric kiln. I was previously discouraged from using ash glazes in an electric kiln. All the best, Marlys
Very creative idea. I hope it works out for you. I really like the long, thin tray. Great shape. Since they are all different sizes, how are you planning to stack them to get the effect?
I have used plastic wrap between the form and the clay and that works well.
I think you need to put your work table on a hydraulic type lift so you can raise and lower it to different heights depending on what you are doing. The table was too low for this project and will be a stain on your back and neck. Any hey who doesn't love hydraulics, lol. Do the spots where the wads were sitting during firing make that area of the pots not water proof? Great video, can't wait to see what else you do to the plates and how they fire. Thanks
I’d turn that planter tray upside down and call it a cheese plate, cake stand. You are right, bases are often more interesting
Love your videos. Can you explain why you use the baby powder or corn starch? Thanks so much. 😊
Hey Matthew, what slab roller is that. Can you give any tips b4 I purchase one.? Thanks
Very cool! Thanks!
How do you keep them from warping..
What do you call the block you are using
Try GR pottery forms for consistent slab forms
Do you put a foot on your trays?
Hi Matt, I hope you are doing well. [stealing your punch line there; LOL]
I like the idea of a `detailed unload` of the next wood firing [as a video and not live].
The bottom of that planter base IS fantastic, absolutely love it. Pity it was on the bottom where it won't be seen! BUT As you said in the video, you can take advantage of just where it was in the firing, if it was covered or stacked etc etc; so you can put `certain pots` of your choice in that same, or similar position to "hopefully" obtain similar effects on the next pots IN that position.
I'd also be interested to see what you did with the platters after today afore they go into the firing :)
I will look forward to seeing them completed and the best of luck with your hopes for them Matt.
Cheers.
BTW, it looked like you used a lot of baby corn starch. Doesn't that dry your clay out and cause it to crack. I use cooking corn starch and mine dries out. Is there a difference between the formula for babies and cooking corn starch? Love your videos, Thank you for the extra effort put in so we can see your stunning results
Hi Matthew enjoyed the video.
Liked the video, you could throw some more forms and bisque fire them for the next time. Hartley and Nobel make MDF forms in a variety of shapes
what is the use of all this talc
Cool video 👌 I have the same question as Clara. Why did you use baby powder on corn strach?
It keeps the clay from sticking to the form. It will burn off in the kiln without any residue
I've never seen anyone use baby powder while making ceramics.
I’ll give it a go
Absolutely love your technique. Please consider using corn starch instead of baby powder!! Baby powder is extremely hazardous to your lungs.
wads - what are they, recipe?
My question exactly
70% EPK 30%Alumina Hydrate and just enough water to make a clay ball
Hi 👋
does anyone else hate the wadding marks left on the pots. They ruin the pot for me. Matter of taste i guess
This doesn't have anything to do with pottery, but your changed hair distracts me. A bit too pointy. Just my thoughts.