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crock cracks

updated wed 2 dec 98

 

Wint & Marla Harris on tue 1 dec 98

Hi, Brenda and cp,

When making large pots (read -- 15" to 17" dia. by 20" plus high), I always
use throw/coil/throw to produce them. Brenda -- I throw the bottom of the
piece using as much clay as I can handle and make the bottom a *little*
thicker than I normally would for a piece entirely thrown. Bring the walls
as high as you can with the available clay. I extrude fairly thick coils to
begin building the heighth of the piece, scoring and luting each added coil.
When I've added five or six coils, I start the wheel, smoothing the coils and
pulling more heighth to the walls. Be sure to mop any standing water in the
bottom often. I just use a hairdryer between each session of coiling to dry
the walls a bit and stiffen them to handle the added clay. Keep up the process
until you have achieved the size and shape you desire. As soon as the top
is sufficiently dry enough to support the weight of the piece, up end it for
more even drying of the bottom. By the way, I wire-cut the pot on the bat
when I have it about 12" to 14" high. You'll still be able to work it to comple
but it's a whole lot easier doing it at that size!! I can't think of any other
techniques, pitfalls, etc. to offer, but if you have more questions, I'll tell y
what I know.

Good luck,
Marla