Stoneware Pear Plate

Designer: William Pulse

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Instructions

  1. Roll out a slap of B-Mix Stoneware Clay to a ¼” thickness larger than the pattern and enough to make the leaf onto the Canvas Fabric.
  2. Cut out the pattern with the Scissors. Trace the edge of the patterns onto the clay. Using a Fettling Knife to cut out the clay shapes.
  3. Make coils of clay approximately ½”-3/4” in diameter. You will need enough coils to fit around the edge of the pear shape. Score the surface edges of the pear slab and the coils using a Scoring Tool. Apply some slip/slurry with a brush to the scored edge of the pear and coil. Use a flat board or surface to press and adhere the coil to the slab. This enforces the adhering of the two surface and creates the flat top edge on the pear. Shape and wedge the edges of the coil onto the flat pear shape. The inner surface edge of the pear should be a gentle slope.
  4. Make a trapezoid shape with clay for the stem of the pear. Score the edges and use the slip/slurry to attach the pieces.
  5. Use a Modeling Tool to incise the center and radiating veins to the leaf. Slightly fold the leaf into along the center vein. Give the leaf a bit of a twist as well for movement. Score the back edge of the leaf and where you are going to apply it to the pear. Use the slip/slurry to attach the leaf to the wear. Use the Modeling tools to wedge the edges of the leaf and stem to the pear’s outer surface. Let the piece dry flat until at least leather hard stage at a minimum.
  6. Once the ware has dried to the leather-hard stage. Use the modeling tools to further shape the inside and outer edges of the ware. Use a dampened Synthetic Sponge to smooth out the surfaces. You can weigh down the center of the ware with a weight to aid in keeping the ware from warping. Cover in plastic to slow down the drying process if needed.
  7. Let the ware to completely dry before firing.
  8. Fire to Shelf Cone 04-05.
  9. Apply 3 coats of SW-155 Winter Wood to the inside area of the plate using CB-604 Soft Fan. You can extend one coat with few crystals to the top edge of the plate rim.
  10. Apply 2-3 coats of SC-14 Java Bean to the stem using CB-404 Pointed Round.
  11. Apply 2-3 coats of SC-27 to the top rim and sides of the pear plate using CB-604 Soft Fan. Do not extend the color to the very bottom edge of the plate. Keep the color about 1/8” from the bottom.
  12. Apply 2-3 coats of SW-193 Ivy to the leaf using CB-404 Pointed Round. Back off the second and third coats of glaze where the leaf and SC-27 meet along the outside surface of the pear. This glaze can flow during the firing.
  13. Use a Synthetic Sponge to remove any glaze from the bottom of the plate. Make sure to keep a 1/8” separation from the glaze and the bottom.
  14. Fire flat to a Shelf Cone 5-6. Do not stilt the ware. Make sure the bottom of the piece is fully placed on a shelf surface.

Supplies

Form

  • Cone 5-6 Moist Stoneware Clay. Smooth B-Mix without grog/sand.

Colors

  • SC-14 Java Bean
  • SC-27 Sour Apply
  • SW-155 Winter Wood
  • SW-193 Ivy

Decorating Accessories

  • CB-404 Pointed Round
  • CB-604 Soft Fan

Miscellaneous Accessories

  • Sponge
  • Water Bowl
  • Modeling Tools
  • Scoring Tool
  • Fettling Knife
  • Rolling Pin
  • Canvas Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Slip/slurry made from the clay
  • Small cup for slip/slurry
  • Pattern

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