Throwing Plates

Since I was off of work today, I decided it would be a good day to work for myself and throw!  It was actually a very dreary day, so I was quite content to sit at the wheel for a while.  I started working on my first full set of dishware.  I have several sketches of what I would like to make as far as designs go, so I started on one of them today.

Salad/Lunch Plate

I have been wanting to make my plates uniform in size, shape and design and was trying to come up with a tool or template that would assist me in doing so.  I sketched out an idea of a tool that would match the shape of the plate I wanted and asked my dad for help in making it happen.  From my sketch he made me a template for my plates (both dinner and lunch) that was the radius of the whole plate.  Pictures below show how I am able to use it.  Needless to say, the tools worked wonderfully – Thanks Dad!  I started by measuring my clay out, so each plate would be the same amount of clay.  Then, I centered the clay in to a thick flat disc and began to pull the disc wider to its desired diameter.  Once the clay disc was at the right diameter, I smoothed out the center and evened the whole surface as best as I could.  Then came my custom tools!  Matching the end of my plate template to the center of the clay disc, I began to press the tool into the clay to create a nice smooth flat bottom and defined rim.  I continued this process until the shape was just right and then trimmed the access off of the outside of the plate.  I know that was sort of confusing, so I hope the pictures help to explain.  I am happy to say I have found a great technique and system that works.  My first dozen lunch plates were made, next come the dinner plates!  My good friend and photographer, Anna Bartell, took these photos for me.

Sketching for ideas

First four lunch plates

Shaping the clay into a flat disc

Shaping the plate with my custom tools made by my dad

Double checking the diameter of the plate

Cutting the plate free from the bat