Hand Building Ceramic Elephant Trays - Pottery for Beginners

*Watch with subtitles on to get step-by-step pottery instructions in video!
How to hand build Troy's ceramic elephant tray:
Troy lays his clay slab over a square form and smooths out the bottom. Then he attaches the feet with slip after scoring both the foot and the bottom of the tray. He cleans the slip out with a rubber tool and lets it sit overnight until it's leather hard. The next day he flips it using two boards and begins the cleanup of the edges using shaving and shaping tools. He does a final run over the edges with a wet sponge to smooth out any imperfections in the clay.
To create the elephant, he sprays kitchen spray into a silicon mold so the clay comes out easily. He then scores and adds slip to the back of the elephant and the top of the tray. The slip acts as glue and scoring helps the slip adhere better.
To make the hearts, Troy places cling film over the clay to prevent it from sticking to the heart shaped cutter. Then he presses it in with a flat tool to make even cuts. He takes those hearts and scores/slips them on the top of the platter coming out from the elephant's trunk.
Now the trays must dry before going into the kiln for the bisque fire. Following bisque, Troy uses underglaze to paint the hearts and elephant. One last time through the kiln and the trays are complete!
Learn more pottery for beginners by watching other videos with Troy!
Form from: grpotteryforms...
Velvet underglaze from Amaco Brent: www.amaco.com/...
To learn more about Troy and his message, follow him on Instagram @troymadeit / troymadeit

[@iloveappleyoutube7198]

You are amazing, man! I am so proud of you!

[@TroyMadeIt]

❤️

[@marcosbertuola7486]

Ahh, that's what the rubber tool is for. Thanks Troy. I had bought these rubber tools and never used them. Keep making these wonderful tutorial!!

[@TroyMadeIt]

Glad to help :)

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Love this video's content!

[@TroyMadeIt]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Did the elephants arrive?

[@TroyMadeIt]

YES!! We were having such a hard time finding your note - I remembered someone commented something about an elephant but I couldn't find where. That was so nice, thank you for sending the hat and mask to Troy!! :)

[@freddiemoretti8456]

@@TroyMadeIt You are very welcome, I thought the logo was fitting for what Troy does with his pottery.

[@missmoneypenny9501]

This is more like intermediate to advanced pottery. Beautiful work!

[@TroyMadeIt]

Wow, thank you!

[@lindaseguin9039]

Love your work can you show the finished product.

[@TroyMadeIt]

Thank you! Here's a link to the finished product instagram.com/p/B3u5JNTJBu3/

[@kalatitati8795]

What's the name of the "square pottery form"?

[@TroyMadeIt]

We get many of our forms from GR Pottery Forms! Here is a link to their square options: grpotteryforms.com/collections/square

[@kalatitati8795]

@@TroyMadeIt thank so much for responding. Love all ur work!

[@TroyMadeIt]

Thank you Kala!! ❤️