Making an Easy Clay Slab Tray with Materials You Have at Home!

Coronavirus Quarantine: Video 5- March 20
I will be trying to post simple daily videos for inspiration for my students, and my subscribers to help give us some learning and distraction during this national emergency. Here is a link to the playlist I am adding to: • Online Learning During...
In this video, I show how to make a slab tray using a simple styrofoam tray as a mold, and a corn holder as a tool to cut a footring. This is super simple. I used thickness strips, but one would not need to. I had mentioned another video where I showed drape molding with handles, check out that video here: • Three Easy Ways to Dra... Also, I mention the notched card as a means to clean the edge. That video can be found here: • Creating a Notched Rib...
Check out the googledoc link below with tools
Check out this link to a live Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! (also some non-amazon suggestions on here!)
docs.google.com/document/d/1X...
I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 28 years, the past 20 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsA...
I started my KZbin channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!

[@lamardon9723]

I really appreciate the way you almost automatically balled up the trim scrap "on the go" as you proceeded. Cute.

[@florencewiley523]

Your videos are so inspiring - clear and concise! Your students are so blessed to have you in the classroom! Thank you for sharing your projects with us.

[@sophiag2501]

The corn holders..wow great new tool I'll be making. Thank you !!😊

[@saletefernandes5867]

Voce e a melhor professora do mundo. Lindo trabalho. Muito obrigada ❤

[@kristinefox926]

Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise.

[@nancypalumbo1940]

Great video- I am so jealous of your students. I would have loved the opportunity to do this in high school. I hope they appreciate you-

[@briaa4535]

This was so sweet. I hope they appreciate her too❤️

[@spawnn98]

Lol im here watching this because i have a clay tray due tommorow and i haven't started

[@shoshiarie]

thanks for a wonderful demonstration.

[@lisacatlin7127]

Corn Holders!!! Brilliant!!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Ha!!!

[@mreinstein48]

Thank you Karen, more like this wonderful video please!!!! : )

[@thecaamano14]

This is amazing!!!! Thank you!! My studio is closed so I am trying to hand build at home, very helpful!

[@themoodyonejb]

I enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@maggiesands7625]

Excellent video! Thank you so much.

[@MEM2022]

your students are so lucky! I have learn so so so much from you. I wish you do classes online for people that are not part of your school. Thankyou so much !!!! writing from Boston.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I will someday!!! When I retire I plan do do workshops!

[@CorinneAzzoug]

MANY THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO

[@danielajohnson177]

This is great! Just what I needed!!! Thank you! ❤

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

So glad!

[@brickhouse7401]

Great tutorial! Thanks! When I was little, my dad told me 'honey, never measure if you can eyeball it'. So I think I can make this bowl!

[@paintedstars2]

Omg!🤣 If only! My dad was/is a carpenter!

[@claudiajoy4568]

I love your videos!

[@arletearaujo6210]

Excelente aula, obrigada

[@jackiemorrison6024]

Love your videos

[@antoniarubiasaraivadarocha2864]

Amei a ideia ❤

[@manofmesopotamia7602]

That was cool ☺️

[@shammisomaya8748]

Great video I like your tutorial. Thank you .

[@pamlooman8045]

nice teaching.. thanks

[@TariHuffaker]

I love your videos. Thanks so much for them.

[@marcelaolivares3320]

Great!!!

[@susanpriem1739]

Boy am I glad someone else doesn’t have a too immaculate home studio 🤣🤣🤣. Mine is never clean clean like the pictures and videos potters place on the net. I work in it daily so its cluttered and things may not be in their place but I do love it. I love your videos. Thanks!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Lol!!!! I thought about trying to make it camera ready- but I just don’t have that kind of time!!! Ha.

[@fritz5701]

jes...same in my place...but however , and how so amazing , the results are shining christal-clear.....

[@marciasilviajohnson6461]

I saw you got the corn holder👍🤗😘

[@micheledickey4066]

I love and appreciate your videos sooo much. May I ask what surface you use on your table to roll out the clay? Also, I absolutely love the look of the patterns from trays because everyone knows what they are and if you glaze it right it will look just like a tray or a cardboard take out box but ceramic. People are really surprised when they go to pick it up and it’s clay!! Would you please show how you wedge such small chunks of clay? It’s so annoying not to be able to do that.

[@silviavolpiansky1557]

Buenisimo, realizar los trabajos con elementos de lo cotidiano. Ayuda y entusiasma tu forma de enseñar

[@fritz5701]

hello all you artistic darlings in awareness of the ultimative outstanding performance of human brain and hands

[@induas6090]

U r awesome

[@katunderwood6225]

As a beginner- I would like to ask what type of clay is best for this, and, do you have recommendations for sourcing the clay? Thank you.

[@stephanievanorden1765]

What clutter? I’m having platter envy!!

[@wendygood1293]

What can I use if I don't have one of those flexible plastic ribs to smooth and compress the clay with? All I have is the metal rib that came with my beginner clay tools kit that I got from Joanne Fabrics. Thank you so very much for your videos. You have made this incredible craft accessible to anyone.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

A credit card! :or cut shapes from a strong plastic lid from a container!

[@lynnettedebell1881]

Thank you for this video! Do you worry about 1) the bottom being compressed or 2) the bottom warping? When I have used drape molds my instructor always has us pound the clay onto the form with sock-covered-sand-bags to ensure the clay is compressed.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Lynette- No, I don't have issue with that generally. By compressing with the rolling pin, and alternating my direction of rolling, flipping, etc, it really gets nicely compressed. (And of course the compression with the rib too- that all helps!) If someone would roll a slab quickly with a slab roller, that could potentially be more of an issue perhaps?? By drying it slowly upside down, it usually eliminates warping issues. The one thing I failed to show in the video is I dry it with a heavy towel over it as well. Warping is often caused when one area dries faster than another area, and it is shrinking unevenly. So, slow and steady drying usually is my go to which can prevent warping! Also, when I bisque fire, I often set heavier posts in the middle of platters which are flat, as that helps to keep the bottoms heating evenly, and prevent warping as well. :). I hope this helps! :)

[@lynnettedebell1881]

KaransPotsAndGlass Thanks a ton!

[@-succulentplant-joan]

👍👍👍👍👍👍🤩

[@carlosmartinez4563]

thank you for everything you do, you really are a very good teacher, very clear; but I have a clay problem, In the process of drying the clay mold, the clay cracks in some parts, what am I doing wrong? thank you very much for your help

[@crisfer22]

Maybe it's drying too fast, it should be kept covered in plastic and dried over the course of several days

[@carolshill6861]

Hi. great video. this may have been asked already but after the clay dries do you fire it in the kiln and then glaze it?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Yes, I bisque fire this clay, and then glaze, then put it through a second firing! I am using a midfire cone 6 clay and glazes!

[@crystalwing1985]

When you dry it upside down, is there a chance of it sagging or cracking? I'm trying to understand how turning it over helps it dry evenly. Thank you for your amazing content. I use your videos in class all the time, and my students love your work.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

If rigid and leatherhard it won’t sag. Turning it upside down prevents the rim from being exposed and drying out first- quicker than the bottom, which can in turn lead to uneven shrinking and cracks. If your rim is level it should be fine. If the rim isn’t level, just dry under heavy towels for even drying.

[@briaa4535]

Was this polymore clay? 😬 might be a stupid question but I’m just leaning

[@rondacorkhill1654]

Question, does rolling the clay suffice for conditioning in the same was as pre throwing?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hello Ronda- not sure I understand your question, sorry!

[@rondacorkhill1654]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass meant to say wedging.

[@finnalboss-gaming9456]

What does score Mean ?

[@saundragrenard3789]

Do you use a certain clay for this? I heard if making stuff that goes in the oven, there are certain clays to use. Was I misinformed?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi Saundra- if you want to have a regular functional ceramic piece, you will need clay which is fired in a kiln. You could call a local pottery supply house to see what they carry. I am using stoneware, and will fire in my kiln, and then glaze and refire and it will be functional for food. There are a lot of hobby potters which are shut out of studios and classes at them moment, which are looking for ways to work with clay at home now! :)

[@saundragrenard3789]

KaransPotsAndGlass that’s what I was wondering. I live in Asheville by Highwater Clay and I use clay from there that is fired 04 then glazed fired at cone 6. But Idk if it’s stoneware. I just go by the names of the clay and how much grog is in them. That’s the extent of my knowledge. Thank you for your time

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

If it fires to cone 6 - it is stoneware! :). So jealous you live in Asheville!!! One of my BFs lives there- just across the river from Highwater!!! In fact, I was supposed to be going there tomorrow for a visit... alas, we have to postpone! What a great local resource for you!!!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Ohhhhhhh, and one other note- if you do want to make ovenware, yes, there are grogged clays which are especially suited to oven useage. Highwater could recommend those!

[@saundragrenard3789]

Yes Asheville is wonderful and the guy who owns it and the Odyssey store in the river district are wonderful. Before I bought my place and purchased my own kiln I use to fire my stuff at Odyssey. They were wonderful in helping❤️

[@harshabhootra7612]

Which type of clay is this?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I am using Laguna B mix - cone 5/6

[@sylviamedereirosaragoni1836]

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