Ceramics week 11

Last ceramics class before the show ... busy day! First, a comparison of paper clay (top) and porcelain - the paper clay edges are wavier, but that could have something to do with the waffley fabric they were rolled out on -Little nails have been used in two ways - as inclusions, and to make impressions, by putting them under the bottom fabric and on top of the top fabric (so they don't get stuck in the clay). Where they cross, the clay either gets holes or gets very thin and transparent, all depending on thickness of course. I haven't been "technical" about making these - the evaluation will come during the setting up of the installation, when I'll be looking for the "best" ones - based on transparency, edges, patterning, shape, size.

I was using paper clay again today, and rolling out on hessian, patterning with folded top fabric, a long screw, a rubber finger-tip thingie - all sorts of possibilities for patterning, in the found objects around you -
While I was busy, more finished steps/plaques arrived, fresh from the kiln. This class has been like having Christmas every week - always a surprise coming out of the kiln! I love the noise of the little bits tapping against each other, which reminds me of the rustle of heavy silk; can these fragments be joined into a "textile"?

These had beans and lentils rolled in - which burnt away to leave interesting holes. But about a third had broken up in firing.

The bigger picture - other people at work, putting on the final touches for the show. I'm really going to miss this class but hope to keep working with clay in some way.

Today's output - two trays like this.
The necklace is a collection of stems from old clay pipes, found on the foreshore of the Thames last year. I still haven't gotten around to making beads to add to it.