Tar Paper Slab Pot Construction, Day 2- Cleaning and Refining the form and adding design

This video is the second video for the slab project for my Ceramics I kids- beginning when the forms are leather hard. I show how to surform, scrape, and rib the corners. I also show leveling, evening and rounding the upper edges of the form. I address the addition of incising or applique to finish off the project.
The ribs which I use for cleaning the form are from Mudtools. I use both the polymer ribs and stainless steel ribs. My absolute, all-time favorite ribs.
Polymer: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Stainless Rib: www.mudtools.com/product/ss1/...
Here is a link to a reference poster I made for my students: drive.google.com/file/d/1t1SX...
Check out my Wheel Throwing Playlist of videos with tips and tricks to successfully wheel throw pieces- from beginner to intermediate to advanced. I will be offering a good deal of EXPLANATION within the videos to help people understand the mechanics of why things work the way they do! I often tell my students they learn more from their mistakes than from their successes in throwing. In these videos in my series, I will try to distill my best tips I have learned from my successes and failures, and my students' struggles as well. Two things have led me to becoming the potter I am today. Countless hours of making pots, (and explaining how to make pots), and understanding and learning from my failures when pots didn’t work out! These are the things I want to share with you- to help YOU become a better potter!
Please subscribe to my channel to get the latest updates on this video series, AND, subscribe to my NEW wheel throwing playlist too! (I am keeping it as a separate list from the old wheel throwing playlist!) Here is a direct link to the new playlist!
• NEW Wheel Throwin...
Check out and support your local pottery suppliers- I love my favorite local supplier- Cornell Studio Supply in Dayton… give them a call, they’re super helpful! (And tell them I sent you!) cornellstudiosupply.com/ The service a good local supplier can offer is hard to beat!
For the great tools, materials, and suppliers I recommend check out this link to a live searchable (control F) Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! 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 33+ years, and I have been teaching for over 30 years, the past 22 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!
I am in a partnership with Skutt - as they sent me the new wheel to use for the videos! I am not receiving any compensation from them beyond the wheel. Here is a link to my wheel- available from most good pottery suppliers. skutt.com/products-page/potte...

[@LoriBergvall]

Karen, I watch as many of your videos I can! You are a fabulous teacher and wonderful person. I’ve taken ceramics classes and have my home studio and kiln. I get tips, techniques and ideas from watching your videos. I love our days of being confined projects that you offer. I just had to let you know how much I enjoy and appreciate you. Thanks for all your talent and effort in making the videos. Lori Bergvall, Paso Robles, CA

[@ElGatoLoco698]

I like that tar paper thing. Gonna try it on a cup. I'm still a beginner.

[@AgustoRadaCosta]

love your work, thanks.

[@alefloyd1]

gracias! mil gracias!!

[@ricklaird2218]

wonderful video. Thank you. I am inspired.

[@bythemoon11]

Thank you!!! I'll give it a try! :)

[@ronaldlogan3525]

Kermit: rib it rib it

[@sweetchipsMS]

I love your videos. I'm just teaching myself and your videos have really helped me. I didn't see the first part of this so I would like to know how thick the clay was when you started. Leather hard so far has been one of the hardest things for me to figure out :(.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Here’s the link for the first video! Tar Paper Slab Pot Construction- Day 1 (Ceramics I technique) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoXLnXuphs2Nbac I rolled it 1/4” thick. Try using some towels in addition to plastic to help control your drying to get things leatherhard!

[@bythemoon11]

I love the. Notched card for cleaning rims. Do you have a template or know where I can get one?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi bythemoon11! I have never purchased a notched rib- but I just make a simple one from any old plastic card- an old credit card, id, library card, hotel key, etc. I just cut several notches in the cards with sharp scissors, trying to get a smooth continuous cut, to get the smoothest edge possible. You can make them in different profiles- like squared, rounded, narrow rounded, fat and rounded, etc. It may take trial and error, but just try a few to get the hang of it. you could even take an old plastic lid and cut profiles on that. Most of the time, I have one cut profile on each card I like more than another. I hope that helps! Try it out, and let me know how it goes for you! :-) All the best- Karan

[@IAmKimberlyHawthorne]

Could I use this same method if I wanted to make a round bowl and I was using air dry clay? I don't have access to a kiln to fire my pieces so I have to use air dry clay

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi YesKimberlyAnne! I don't have personal experience with non-fired clay, but I have no reason to suspect it wouldn't work with slow and even drying! Just remember, tar paper will always have corners when you construct with it. You can be super-creative with patterns- I really have used my sewing/pattern making experience to my advantage with this method, as I sometimes will cut "darts" out of patterns to get them to form more of a roundish shape that I may otherwise not be able to achieve. Oh, and though I don't know where you live... around me there are often studios, art centers, or potters that will sometimes fire people's things for a fee! :-) I always tell my students, if you can make it out of paper as a pattern, you can make it out of clay! :-) Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions! :-) Karan

[@IAmKimberlyHawthorne]

KaransPotsAndGlass thank you so much for your response. I sew too so I can try out that dart suggestion! Thanks so much...your vids are easy to follow and clear. :-)

[@lindaohalloran7034]

Where can i find the long shear?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I'm not following what you mean by shear- but I assume you mean the long surform? Mudtools.com sells a wonderful variety of surforms- they call them shredders! Love all their tools!

[@johnonorgan]

where do you get tar paper without buying the whole roll?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Hi John- sorry- I always buy the roll... but, you could try asking a builder if they ever have leftovers! :)

[@SmillyDonut]

Hi. What's the difference between the red and yellow ribs?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

The red is much softer than the yellow! Check out my googledoc of links of products on Amazon if you'd like to check them out! I have the ribs on this document: docs.google.com/document/d/1XbYPQjjJnHrQG5xyWGMHZkEcZj5N8VnUAbFZdJRrRmU/edit?usp=sharing

[@mccarthyhome]

Who makes your surform tool? trying to find one.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

***** Hi Anne- Sherrill Mudtools makes them! Here's a link: www.mudtools.com/product-category/shredders/

[@mccarthyhome]

KaransPotsAndGlass Thanks so much I'm loving your video's. I was just back in Cincy and got my Skyline fix in Mason! Go Bearcats!

[@mccarthyhome]

***** Tarpaper.....why tarpaper? Do you find your templates last a long time or what? Where do you find tarpaper at a decent price.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

***** Yes- the tarpaper can withstand water for use over and over again!! I buy it in big rolls at Lowes or Home Depot... or if you have a friend that is a builder, just ask for some scrap from a roll! :-)