This video is a demonstration of Creating a Darted Slab Pitcher in Clay with a Hollow Handle- (intermediate to advanced). I am using a soft slab which I texture in this video- but of course, you can make it without texture. My ceramics II students have a textured slab set project for which this technique really lends itself- as well as a pick a passion final project. I will include the measurements of the pattern as soon as I get back to school on Tuesday after our holiday weekend, and can measure the patterns I used. The patterns will be on an 8.5x11” document, but you can enlarge it to make it whatever size you want. I will have a key for the size on the document. As I recommend in the video, I suggest that if you have not done soft slab building previously, that you start with something a bit easier- like a cup or a bowl to learn the basics of this method of construction before you try something more advanced with so many multiple parts like the teapot. Here are a couple of videos here for a good place to start:
Slab cylinder bowl:
Slab cylinder cups:
Tripod Cylinder cups:
Cylinder cup with squared bottom:
The slabs are rolled using my ¼” thick hardwood slab sticks and a rolling pin. I then textured some of the slabs before cutting out the patterns. I am using a beautiful rubber woodgrain mat to add my texture to the clay I could have dusted it with cornstarch- but don’t believe I bothered on this one. I use the Kemper SWB scratchwire brush or perhaps a serrated rib for scoring the slabs and attachments. (See my doc below for links to the texture mats and tools). When the main body of the pitcher form is built, then I added the bottom- (leaving the texture on the outside of it), while adding an internal coil for greater strength. After the bottom is added, I show the stretching and shaping of the belly to create a rounded appearance. I also show how to make the spout and handle from non-texured slabs, but of course, you could texture before making. (Learned this first from Sandi Pierantozzi… check out her gorgeous work!) The attachment of the handle is imperative that you have the clay the same moisture between the two pieces. I do poke a small hole in the handle with a needle tool as a safety to allow a vent hole for thorough drying. When everything is finished, I don’t believe I mention it, but SLOW DRYING is of the greatest importance for even drying. Don’t ever allow your slab pieces to dry uncovered quickly… it is the surest way to get cracking at your handles! I cover mine with a few layers of a heavy bath towel, and then lightly drape a bag over that. It took a week to A week and a half to dry before I fired it.
Check out my Amazon Influencer Store where I have recommendations for some of my favorite tools and products many of which I use in my videos- which are available on Amazon.
For the great tools I used in the video (including the MKM rollers and the wooden Kemper tools) check out this link to a live Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! (also some non-amazon suggestions on here!)
In this video, I am using standard 153, a nice midrange firing stoneware in my classroom.
I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 28 years, the past 20 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site;
I started my Youtube channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
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