Clay Canteen Project

Supplies Canvas Board Rolling pin sponge Guide Sticks loop Knife Needle tool Metal rib Scoring rib

Day 1: Rolling a Slab Guide sticks should be under the rolling pin at all times. Roll out your slab using the guide sticks as shown.

Day 1: Form the Slabs Cover a plate with newspaper Form the clay around your plate using the sides of your hands.

Day 1: Trim the slab Trim excess clay slightly larger than the plate You will “perfect” this shape later so don’t spend a lot of time doing this. Make another slab following the same procedures so that you have 2 halves of the canteen.

Day 1: Clean-up and Store Knead and wedge extra clay pieces together. Cover the slabs loosely with plastic.

Day 2: Trim the slabs-again Your clay should be firm today and hold shape. Remove the newspaper from between the slab and plate. Trim the excess clay to match the plate shape. Do this to both slabs.

Day 2: Prepare to attach Use the scoring rib to score the clay around the inside edges of both slabs. Hint: Cross-hatch the score marks and carve deep into the clay.

Day 2: Prepare to attach(part 2) Moisten the scored area by squeezing water from a damp sponge. Hint: The surface needs to be “muddy”. This may require you to score and moisten the clay several times.

Day 2: Place the armature Use one sheet of newspaper to form a smooth, flat circle. Hint: The newspaper will stay in the middle to keep the vessel from collapsing. It will burn out during the firing.

Day 2: Attach the slabs Stack the two slabs together to form a pod. Trim the edges once again so that the pieces match. Press the seam together and smooth with your fingers.

Day 2: Smooth and Store Use a damp sponge to smooth the edges together. Place inside of a plastic bag and wrap up tight today.

Day 3: Make the Spout Roll out a slab and use the spout template to cut out a rectangle. Form a cylinder with the rectangle. Join the edges together with the scoring technique. Smooth together with your fingers.

Day 3: Attach the Spout Measure the spout and cut a notch out of the vessel to fit. Score and wet all contact areas. Insert the spout. Hint: an elliptical shape fits better than a circular shape.

Day 3: Make the handles Roll out a slab and cut 2 strips the width of a ruler. Strips should be about 4 or 5 inches long. Attach the handles near the top of the vessel. Be sure to score and wet the pieces before attaching.

Day 3: Attach the handles Score and moisten the handles and the contact area. Attach the handles and blend in with your fingers.

Day 3: Smooth and prepare to decorate. Smooth out any lumps using your metal rib and damp sponge. Use your fingers to gently round off the edges of the handles and spout. Lightly moisten the entire surface with a damp sponge. Wrap tightly in a plastic bag being careful not to jar the handles and spout.