3-D Art: Slab Constructed Vase

Stamped for Texture

1.  Google image search, Slab Constructed Vases.  The vase you create must have 4 sides.  The vase must be stamped to create texture.  All stabs should be stamped prior to cutting for assembly.

2. On a 9 X 12 sheet of white drawing paper:  Fold the paper in half hot dog style.  Sketch 3 vase design examples on the fold line.  You only need half of each vase design because it will be symmetrical. 

3. Choose one design and sketch it on one half of the paper back side.  Fold the paper then cut out paper template shape.

4. Create a slab out of Raku clay.  The Raku clay should be taken from the blue barrel label Raku.  The Raku clay should be Ram’s Head Kneaded and/or Wedged prior to use.

5. Use the paper template to trace and cut out the desired vase design shape.  At this point you will only need one side of the vase because only two sides of the vase will follow the design shape.

6.  Create three slabs.  Two of the slabs will be the sides of the vase and one for the bottom.  The sides should not be as wide as the face slabs.  The sides do not have to be equal in width but may be.  Score and slip the sides and bottom onto the first face slab.  Be careful to preserve the stamped texture and if necessary re stamp where needed.

7.  When sides and bottom are attached to face one, create a slab for face 2 and trace/cut out the shape then score and slip to complete the vase.  Be careful to preserve the stamped texture and if necessary re stamp where needed.

8.  Clean up the rim and the seams inside and out.  When bone dry the vase will be bisque fired.  Then glazed and finish fired.