Cindy on thu 17 apr 97
> How does one begin to center such a large amount of clay?
> Amy Gossett
Amy,
I just attended a two week session with Stephen Jepson, and he taught me
(along with lots of other good stuff) a neat trick for centering as much
clay as you and your wheel can handle.
1.) Wedge clay together for 10 times or so just to even out moisture
content for the whole lump, then separate the clay into lumps of a size you
can easily work with. Complete the wedging and kneading process. (Let's say
you have two lumps you're working on, though you can use more if
necessary.) Obviously, you'll get the lumps as nearly cylindrical as you
can before taking them to your wheel. :)
2.) Center the larger of the lumps on your wheel. You can cone it a few
times, but get it into a tuna can shape to prepare it for the next step.
The top should be slightly convex to prevent you from trapping air when you
add the next lump. Scrape off the slimy slip from your centered lump (wheel
spinning as you do) with a rubber rib, or with your finger.
3.) Shape the bottom of your remaining lump of clay so that it, too, is
slightly convex and the same diameter as or a little smaller than your
centered lump. Either throw (if you're accurate) or press the second lump
onto the centered lump. Center the second lump. Voila!
Another way to do this is to simply center a large lump in two
steps--starting with the top half or so, and then working on the bottom. I
find the above method easier, but someone with more physical strength might
prefer not to bother with using separate pieces.
Hope this helps :)
Cindy Strnad
Custer, SD
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