Bruce the Chef

By: Mitch Johnson

Once you finish modeling the clay in your desired shape, the last and
important job is to give a finishing touch. This will give your model
it actual looks. So it is very important to know how and what tools are
to be used. This article will guide you in solving your problems and
giving your model perfect shape.

For decorating purposes, you will need several soft-hair brushes with
which to apply colors and glazes. These can also be used for applying
liquid clay (or slip), for mending and general modeling or shaping
purposes. The brushes can be of average quality, such as imitation
camel’s-hair watercolor brushes. Both pointed and flat-tipped brushes
should be in supply. Numbers 3, 5, 8 and 10 will serve almost all
requirements.

Wooden modeling tools also simplify the shaping and decorating of a
clay object. It is easier to push the clay into rough form with a
mallet or a block of wood than with the fist or the heel of the hand.
After the roughing-out has been completed and the large masses are
shaped, more detailed modeling begins. This calls for a few wooden
modeling sticks about 6 to 8 inches long, with thin, flat blades. The
blade ends are used for cutting, smoothing and shaping surfaces and for
welding fine lines. The round ends are used for welding coils together
and for all-around modeling and shaping.

A scratch-point is helpful in etching designs in a clay body. Almost
anything with a sharp point can be used effectively an orange stick or
any piece of doweling which has been sharpened to a point. You can, if
you wish, buy metal scratch-points in most stationery stores. These
will fit into any penholder. If you want to do graffiti work
decorations formed by cutting or scratching through an outer coating of
slip to show the clay underneath a scratch-point is a handy implement.

As you progress and want to try new decorating methods, you’ll probably
attempt slip-trailing, a method by which you achieve designs in relief.
Slip-trailing is much like decorating a cake with the words "happy
birthday". A hand irrigating syringe with a hard-rubber nozzle and a
bulb can be used for this technique. Cost is less than a dollar in the
local drugstore.

Wire-loop tools always find their way into the ceramist’s workshop
because of the varied uses to which they can be put. Again, they are
valuable tools for carving sgraffito designs. Also they are used for
smoothing the surface of pottery and sculpture, especially for cutting
down high places and for hollowing out hand-shaped figurines before
firing. Select three or more loop tools of sizes varying from 8 to 10
inches long, and with different shaped loops.

When working with molded green ware, you will need a fettling knife and
or an elephant sponge to sand off the mold marks and to smooth surfaces
and edges Cellulose sponges or fine sandpaper car also be utilized.

Now you can save a huge amount of money by creating you own made
decorative items, shaping and designing by you as per your taste.

About the Author:

Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for www.curtains-n-drapes.com/ , www.ezceramicsguide.info/ , www.myceramicstips.info/

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