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oval plates

updated wed 13 jun 12

 

Dina Barnese on sat 9 jun 12


Yesterday a customer asked if I make oval dinner plates. I had to admit
that I never have... and now I'm intrigued.The only way I can think to make
an oval plate is to use a slump mold and a slab of clay.

Is there a way to alter a thrown plate into an oval?

Or any other great ideas from the Collective?

Thanks,
Dina Barnese
Zizziba Studio
Flagstaff, Arizona

Nancy Gallagher on sun 10 jun 12


I made this my personal challenge today. Glad I tried it but I won't be
making any more soon! I was told at one time of a potter (and I think it
was Warren MacKenzie) who made oval covered dishes by throwing them,
then cutting a center strip down the middle before putting them back
together. I tried this method to see how it worked with plates. Not bad,
the ends where they were joined came out slightly tapered and I trimmed
that with a shur-form to reinforce the oval rim.

I put up photos of the process if anyone wants to see how it was done

http://www.gallagherpottery.com/?p=3D1304&preview=3Dtrue


Nancy


--
Nancy Gallagher
http://www.gallagherpottery.com
Want to adopt a basset hound? Visit http://www.dailydrool.com

VeenaRaghavan@CS.COM on sun 10 jun 12


Several people have already posted ways to throw an oval plate. Another
way, and I cannot remember where I saw or learned this, is to through a rou=
nd
plate with a solid rim. Then, instead of cutting out a thin oval in the
center, just underwire, then cut a strip straight through the entire plate.=
Add
slip to the cut edges, and slide the two sides together and join. It is goo=
d
to add a thin coil to the joint and flatten and compress it. Once you take
it off the wheel and it is leatherhard, compress the outside of the bottom.

Hope this helps.

Veena

VeenaRaghavan@cs.com

Vince Pitelka on sun 10 jun 12


Dina Barnese wrote:
"Yesterday a customer asked if I make oval dinner plates. I had to admit
that I never have... and now I'm intrigued.The only way I can think to make
an oval plate is to use a slump mold and a slab of clay. Is there a way to
alter a thrown plate into an oval?"

Hi Dina -
The only time I saw someone oval a thrown plate was also one of the more
remarkable things I have seen anyone do with clay. It was a past NCECA, an=
d
Janet Mansfield was demonstrating. She threw a very large platter with a
thick rim. She cut it off the wheel, grasped it by the far rim with her
thumbs inside the rim in-line with the rim, and her fingers outside the rim=
,
sort of clutching the rim with maximum surface contact from fingers and
thumbs. She picked the whole platter up and sort of shook it to stretch it=
.
She lay it back down on the wheel, turned the wheel 180 degrees, and did th=
e
same side to the opposite side of the platter. The result was a slightly
squared oval, and the thumb marks were bold and distinctive. I am not sure
how well this technique would work with dinnerware, but it would be worth a
try. Like so many such techniques, effectiveness goes along with fluency,
so you'd need to try it LOTS of times.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/

Neal on sun 10 jun 12


I can think of a couple of ways to make an oval plate from a
thrown plate. The first is to remove the plate from the bat
while it's still malleable. You can stretch it into oval by hitting
it against your wedging table or a piece of drywall.

A video on Ceramics Arts Daily last week showed a potter
assembling a candy dish from thrown parts. The part where
he stretches the bottom of the candy dish into an oval begins
at the 4:30 mark.

Here's a link to the video: http://bit.ly/LarYBY

Here's another video on Youtube showing a stretched
platter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DJ_SvrOUSsZM

Another way would be to remove a football shape from the
bottom of the plate right after wiring the wet piece on the
bat. Then gently coax the sides together.

Here's a Youtube video showing more of a casserole
shape than platter, but you can get the idea from it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DJtBmzd6Pa0Y

Neal O'B.
Raleigh, NC

Steve Slatin on sun 10 jun 12


Dina -- Can't remember where I learned the process, (Diana Kilber, maybe)=
=3D
=3D0Abut you can throw a round plate and cut a narrow slit out of the middl=
e =3D
-- =3D0Awider at the center of the plate than nearer the edges -- and put a=
dh=3D
ering slip =3D0Aon the exposed clay, press it together from opposing sides =
of=3D
the rim and =3D0Asmooth the join with a rubber rib.=3DA0 Gives a fairly sy=
mmet=3D
rical oval.=3D0A=3DA0=3D0AUsing a non-symmetrical cut, or an offset (as opp=
osed t=3D
o centered) cut will =3D0Agive other shapes, but leaves you with a fairly c=
on=3D
sistently shaped rim.=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0ASteve Slatin -- =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AN48.088=
6450=3D0AW123.=3D
1420482=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A________________________________=3D0A=3D0AYesterday a=
customer =3D
asked if I make oval dinner plates. I had to admit=3D0Athat I never have...=
a=3D
nd now I'm intrigued.The only way I can think to make=3D0Aan oval plate is =
to=3D
use a slump mold and a slab of clay.=3D0A=3D0AIs there a way to alter a th=
rown=3D
plate into an oval?=3D0A=3D0AOr any other great ideas from the Collective?=
=3D0A=3D
=3D0AThanks,=3D0ADina Barnese

Robert Harris on sun 10 jun 12


In the interest of completeness, both the whacking technique, and the
cutting a leaf shape from the bottom technique, are detailed in
Bernard Leach's book.

Amazing the amount of stuff he crammed in there (often with
insufficient explanation, admittedly), that we now say, "Oh I wonder
where that came from ...".


Robert

On Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 3:55 PM, Steve Slatin wrot=
=3D
e:
> Dina -- Can't remember where I learned the process, (Diana Kilber, maybe)
> but you can throw a round plate and cut a narrow slit out of the middle -=
=3D
-
> wider at the center of the plate than nearer the edges -- and put adherin=
=3D
g slip
> on the exposed clay, press it together from opposing sides of the rim and
> smooth the join with a rubber rib.=3DA0 Gives a fairly symmetrical oval.
>
> Using a non-symmetrical cut, or an offset (as opposed to centered) cut wi=
=3D
ll
> give other shapes, but leaves you with a fairly consistently shaped rim.
>
> Steve Slatin --
>
>
> N48.0886450
> W123.1420482
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> Yesterday a customer asked if I make oval dinner plates. I had to admit
> that I never have... and now I'm intrigued.The only way I can think to ma=
=3D
ke
> an oval plate is to use a slump mold and a slab of clay.
>
> Is there a way to alter a thrown plate into an oval?
>
> Or any other great ideas from the Collective?
>
> Thanks,
> Dina Barnese



--=3D20
----------------------------------------------------------

Steve Mills on mon 11 jun 12


Three techniques come to mind:
Cut a "leaf" shape out of the middle of a round thrown plate and them "clo=
s=3D
e the gap"!
Or
Take a soft leather hard (again) round plate and stretch it.=3D20
Or buy an oval plate, take a cast from it and make a hump mould.=3D20

My three-penny-worth!

Steve M


Steve Mills
Bath
UK
www.mudslinger.me.uk
Sent from my iPod


On 9 Jun 2012, at 18:06, Dina Barnese wrote:

> Yesterday a customer asked if I make oval dinner plates. I had to admit
> that I never have... and now I'm intrigued.The only way I can think to ma=
k=3D
e
> an oval plate is to use a slump mold and a slab of clay.
>=3D20
> Is there a way to alter a thrown plate into an oval?
>=3D20
> Or any other great ideas from the Collective?
>=3D20
> Thanks,
> Dina Barnese
> Zizziba Studio
> Flagstaff, Arizona

Mark Knott on mon 11 jun 12


Look up Ken Ferguson. He by fa made the best oval platters! He used the =3D
elongated eye or leaf shape, pushed the platter together and then =3D
pounded the clay he cu out back into the platter!=3D20=3D

C Sullivan on mon 11 jun 12


Oval plates: I think the real challenge is: how in the heck does one
throw and shape the *lids* to these and manage a perfect fit ??!!!
I've tried this in the past, and while the oval base was reasonably easy to
attain, for me, the lids were impossible . . . .
Chae

June Perry on mon 11 jun 12


Just make a slab piece, drape it into the opening of the oval and cut to fi=
t.

Warm regards,
June
www.shambhalapottery.com
www.shambhalapottery.blogspot.com

----- Original Message -----
Oval plates: I think the real challenge is: how in the heck does one
throw and shape the *lids* to these and manage a perfect fit ??!!!
I've tried this in the past, and while the oval base was reasonably easy to
attain, for me, the lids were impossible . . . .
Chae

Sumi von Dassow on mon 11 jun 12


C

slab draped over the casserole and pressed into the lid gallery to form
a curve; turned upside down, trimmed with a knife to the line impressed
by the rim of the casserole, handle added.

Sumi
> Oval plates: I think the real challenge is: how in the heck does one
> throw and shape the *lids* to these and manage a perfect fit ??!!!
> I've tried this in the past, and while the oval base was reasonably easy =
to
> attain, for me, the lids were impossible . . . .
> Chae
>
>

Lili Krakowski on mon 11 jun 12


Just for an (idle) record:

The cutting out of a sliver from a thrown plate and luting the cut edges =
=3D
together requires a fairly thick bottom to the pot. The main failure =3D
here seems to be that the bottom is too thin. Err on the side of a =3D
thick bottom. (For all who have thick bottoms, Hurray! )=3D20

Another way would be to cut a pattern for the oval out of some plastic =3D
or heavy cardboard. I use something sold as embroidery canvas--sturdy =3D
plastic sheets full of little holes--looks like a coarse screen,

Carefully measure the circumference of your oval. Throw a ring (this =3D
will be your rim) with the outer diameter of the bottom identical to =3D
what
you measured around the oval. =3D20

Roll or throw the base--a flat piece. Let it dry a bit. Set your =3D
template on it, and cut out your oval. =3D20

When the thrown ring has firmed up , roughen up the top of the edges of =3D
the bottom piece, add some slurry--very little--and set the
thrown ring atop. Lute it in firmly.

This works very well for soup type plates or bowls. I do not know how =3D
it would work for a very flat plate.




Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage

Rimas VisGirda on mon 11 jun 12


Betty Woodman made oval plates way back when... maybe 70's -80's. She stret=
ched them after throwing by "throwing" them as you would to thin a slab of =
clay. Don't know the term for the technique, but you can elongate and thin =
a slab by tossing it parallel to the table or floor with the trailing edge =
slightly lower than the leading edge; the trailing edge catches on the surf=
ace the the momentum (horizontal vector) of the mass stretches it as it fal=
ls (horizontal vector); the motion is best described through calculus at ea=
ch point of the slab dv/dh -remember gravity never sleeps... Woodman first =
threw her plates with a heavy spiral and as the plate elongated the spiral =
did also for a very attractive and dynamic look. It was the period when she=
started doing the low fire Italian tri-color (Renaissance) look. Some of t=
he platters wound up with as much as a 1:3 ratio as I remember.
-Rimas

David Woof on mon 11 jun 12


Hi Dina=3D2C Steve=3D2C all=3D2C
=3D20
an additional part of the technique Steve mentioned=3D2C that works well fo=
r =3D
me=3D2C is after wire cutting under the form=3D2C but while its still on th=
e ba=3D
t=3D3B is to drizzle some throwing slip onto the outside edge of the batt. =
No=3D
w with wheel rotating slowly draw the wire several times under the plate or=
=3D
cassorole form so that slip is drawn under the piece by the wire.
=3D20
Now the slip "floats" the piece=3D2C and after cutting out and scoring the =
ed=3D
ges of the "fish shaped slit=3D2C" allows the clay to slide together and cl=
os=3D
e the slit with minimum pressure.=3D20
This is old school=3D2C and Works like a charm!!!=3D20
=3D20
Then rib the join and the entire bottom for compression and set aside until=
=3D
slipped bottom has set up again and recut with wire at that time.
=3D20
Sometimes customers make requests to see if we can do it=3D2C or to have th=
e =3D
satisfaction of seeing their idea brought to fruition. Rise to the challeng=
=3D
e=3D2C but get at least 50% up front=3D2C non refundable. Taking on these =
cust=3D
omer requests helps us grow and develop skills but bottom line is we have f=
=3D
inancial obligations that must be met.
=3D20
David woof
_____________________________________________________________________
Re: Oval plates
Posted by: "Steve Slatin" claystevslat@YAHOO.COM=3D20
Date: Sun Jun 10=3D2C 2012 2:10 pm ((PDT))=3D20
=3D20
Dina -- Can't remember where I learned the process=3D2C (Diana Kilber=3D2C =
mayb=3D
e)but you can throw a round plate and cut a narrow slit out of the middle -=
=3D
- wider at the center of the plate than nearer the edges -- and put adherin=
=3D
g slip on the exposed clay=3D2C press it together from opposing sides of th=
e =3D
rim and smooth the join with a rubber rib. Gives a fairly symmetrical oval=
=3D
. Using a non-symmetrical cut=3D2C or an offset (as opposed to centered) cu=
t =3D
will give other shapes=3D2C but leaves you with a fairly consistently shape=
d =3D
rim. =3D20
=3D20
Steve Slatin -- N48.0886450W123.1420482 =3D20
=3D20
________________________________ Yesterday a customer asked if I make oval =
=3D
dinner plates. I had to admitthat I never have... and now I'm intrigued.The=
=3D
only way I can think to makean oval plate is to use a slump mold and a sla=
=3D
b of clay. Is there a way to alter a thrown plate into an oval? Or any othe=
=3D
r great ideas from the Collective?=3D20
=3D20
Thanks=3D2C
=3D20
Dina Barnese =3D

Lis Allison on tue 12 jun 12


On June 11, 2012, C Sullivan wrote:
> Oval plates: I think the real challenge is: how in the heck does one
> throw and shape the *lids* to these and manage a perfect fit ??!!!
> I've tried this in the past, and while the oval base was reasonably
> easy to attain, for me, the lids were impossible . . . .

There was a great article in Clay Times a while back about how to make
oval lids. Basically, you put a slab on top of the piece and let it sag
into the opening, let it stiffen, and then lift it off and cut/refine the
edge. Turn it over and bingo, lovely oval lid. I tried it and it worked
great the first time! Also works for squarish or oddball shapes.

Lis


--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
website: www.pine-ridge.ca
Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com

KATHI LESUEUR on tue 12 jun 12


It seems to me that all of the techniques mentioned to make oval plates =
=3D
are very labor intensive. Since I'm personally adverse to labor =3D
intensive techniques, unless there is no other alternative, I avoid =3D
them. I make oval pieces on hump molds. A good example is my fish =3D
platter on my website. The inside of the mold is made by cutting an oval =
=3D
from one inch blue styrofoam cut on a band saw at an angle. The outside =3D
is made by cutting half inch blue styrofoam with a band saw. Then the =3D
two pieces are glued together with wood glue. An easy way to make molds. =
=3D
To help release just dust the clay slab with cornstarch before laying in =
=3D
over the mold.

KATHI LESUEUR
http://www.lesueurclaywork.com