Get ready to Make an Apple Baker.
Hi, Marie here. Welcome to Pottery Crafters. You found
video number 10 in our Beginner Pottery Wheel Project Series. Today you're going
to learn how to throw decorate and glaze an Apple Baker, and yes you'll see the
finished piece. If you like what you see please like the video, and if you want to
support me or see new videos feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon next
to the subscribe button to get a notification whenever I upload a video.
Before we get started here's a list of tools and supplies I use to make the
Apple Baker which are also down below in the show notes along with any other
important information I may talk about throughout the video. The tools and
supplies listed our only recommendations and are items I use on a daily basis. I'm
starting with the clay already centered. So if you're having any problems with
centering your clay you can check out my video up above. With that said enjoy the
video and make sure you stay to the end to see the finished piece. Let's get
started. For this project, I have a pound and a
half of Amaco Stoneware 46 Buff Clay.
Make sure the clay is wet while pressing it down to the size you want the base of
your bowl to be.
As you can see I'm opening the clay away from the center. Make sure you have
enough clay in the center for your post. You can always cut off any extra clay.
You want to start the post first because the sides of the bowl can get in the way.
Cone the post then make sure you compress the base of your post and Bowl.
Use your needle tool to check the thickness. You want to leave at least a
third of an inch of clay on the bottom of your bowl.
When you have the base of your post set you can start to bring up the sides of
your bowl to get an idea of how tall you want your post to be. While bringing up
the sides of your bowl make sure your clay is wet and rest your thumb against
your anchor hand to keep the consistency of the clay even throughout. Once you
have the desired height of your bowl you can cut off any extra clay on your post
with the needle tool. Keep your needle tool steady as you trim off the top. You
want the post to be tall enough and thin enough to hold the Apple. A little more
clay needs to come off.
When you get the desired height and width smooth out the post and compress
the top. I'm bringing the sides of the bowl up and out just a bit more. Don't
forget to compress the bottom and the rim. I'm smoothing out and compressing
the sides of the bowl with the soft red rib, then getting rid of any water
and making a nice foot with the ultimate edger. After the Apple Baker is bone-dry
into my Skutt Kiln it goes for a bisque firing at cone 04. After the bisque
fire wipe off any dust with a clean damp sponge. This helps to ensure the glaze
will bond nicely to your piece. Apply wax resist so any glaze on the bottom wipes
right off. I've skipped this part before thinking it would save me time. I ended
up spending more time trying to get the glaze off the bottom. After the wash and
wax it's time to glaze.
I'm applying Amaco Weeping Plum to the Apple Baker with a Large Hake Brush.
Mix your glaze well before applying. I always put the glaze through a strainer.
This catches any clumps or debris that may be lurking in the glaze. If you're
new to glazing you can check out my article on 27 Glazing Tips for Beginners.
I left a link in the description below.
After letting the first coat dry apply the second coat of Weeping Plum.
You want to make sure that you have a good amount of glaze on your brush so
the glaze can float on to the Apple Baker.
After the second coat is dry apply a third and final coat of Weeping Plum and
let dry.
I'm dipping the Apple Baker in Spectrum Kimchi 2/3 of the way down.
As you can see this can get tricky sometimes. Put the remainder of the glaze
in a small bowl and dip the post. Let it dry and into my Skutt Kiln it goes for a
final firing at Cone 5. Here's the finished Apple Baker.
Looks like the Weeping Plum and the Kimchi worked well together.
No cracks. Nice and smooth rim. All in all I think it turned out pretty good. What
do you think? If you have any questions comments or even ideas for future videos
feel free to post those in the comments section below. Some of the best tips and
feedback come from you. Also in the comment section are more show notes and
pottery-making info. I hope you've learned a thing or two to make your own
Apple Baker. Check out my other videos from Pottery Crafters. Don't forget to
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I'll see you in the next video.