Get ready to make a planter.
Hi, Marie here. Welcome to Pottery Crafters you found
video number 8 in our Beginner Pottery Wheel Project Series. Today
you're going to learn how to Throw Decorate and Glaze a Planter, 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 Planter which will also be 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 items I use on a
daily basis. I'll be starting with the clay already centered so if you're
having any problems with centering your clay you can check out the 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'm using two and a
half pounds of Amaco Stoneware 46 Buff clay.
The saucer will be connected to the Planter so before opening the clay I'm
forming the saucer first. Push the clay outward to form the lip of your saucer.
You want the Planter thicker on the bottom so the water will flow down to
the saucer for proper drainage. A half an inch is good. Whenever possible anchor
your inside left thumb against your outside right hand. This will help to
keep the pressure of your fingers consistent, which in turn will help to
keep the thickness of your sides even throughout your piece. I'm using a metal
scraper to get the extra slip off the sides. This helps to keep the clay
stronger by compressing the clay particles together and stopping the
water from penetrating and weakening the clay.
I'm pushing outward with my sponge and bracing the outside with my soft red
rib to bring the walls out a bit. If the clay starts to flare out collar it in by
squeezing the clay together with both hands. Make sure your hands are wet and
you're collaring in slowly.
Get rid of the extra clay on the bottom with the pointy end of a wooden modeling
tool.
After the Planter is Leather Hard I'm using a Loop Tool and a Ribbon Tool to
trim the extra clay off the Planter and Saucer.
I'm making the drainage hole with the Kemper Circle Shaped Clay Cutter. To make
the hole on the bottom of the Planter go downward on an angle to the Saucer for
proper drainage. Remove the Planter from the bat and let dry. Once it's bone-dry
into my Skutt Kiln it goes for a Bisque Firing at cone 04. Wipe with a damp
sponge to remove any dust or other particles so the glaze can bond nicely
to the Planter.
Apply Wax Resist on the bottom so the extra clay easily wipes off with a damp
sponge. After the wash and wax is dry it's time to glaze. I am applying Amaco
Blue Rutile with the medium-sized Hake Brush. Mix your glaze well before applying.
I always put my glaze through a strainer this catches any clumps of glaze or
debris that may be lurking in the glaze.
After the first coat is dry I'm applying a second coat of Blue Rutile.
I prefer to pour on the inside whenever possible. Because of the drainage hole
I'll have to brush on the inside of the planter. Make sure your glaze is flowing
off the brush and on to the Planter evenly. After the second coat is dry one
more coat of Blue Rutile. If you're new to glazing you can check out my
article on 27 Glazing Tips for Beginners. I have a link in the description below
for you.
Once the glaze is dry Dip the Rim with Amaco Seaweed.
About a third of an inch down as good.
When the glaze dries give it another Seaweed Dip this time just the rim. Let
it dry and dip one more time with Spectrum Pearl White. A third of the way
down. Letting the Planter dry and wiping off any glaze on the bottom before it
goes back in my Skutt Kiln for a final firing at Cone 5. Here's the finished
Planter.
The glaze turned out better than I thought it would. I love how it
overflowed and attached to the saucer. Beautiful white and green flowing down.
You almost don't want to put dirt in it to cover up the nice design. 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 Planter. Check out my other videos from
Pottery Crafters and don't forget to Like Subscribe and hit the Bell Icon to
get notified when a new video comes out. See you in the next video.