Clay Jewelry Box

Ceramics

Clay Jewelry Box

Slabbing is a versatile technique, allowing the potter to build a form from either soft or hard clay. It can be challenging, however, because it is more prone to problems than other methods

Handbuilt Pottery Techniques Revealed by Jacqui Atkin, Extended Edition

    

Clay Jewelry Box

• Slabbing jewelry box is an easy and fun project to do in class specially for the fact that most kids want to do it for their mom or grandma. The project is simple is should take about 3 classes the most, it is broken down in 3 parts, planning, construction and glazing.

Plan 

• Students will research and find different designs of boxes that they might be interested in
• Students will draw at least 3 different designs for their box.
• Students will design on their best design and create their final draft for the box
• Students will then create a template on a piece of cardboard about 4"X3" (or whatever size you want them to have) and but it out. 

Construction

• Students will begin construction by getting some clay, thickness wood, canvas, rolling pin, and their clay kit.
• Students will then get their clay place between the thickness wood and roll it until it is as thin as the thickness wood, about 1/4 of an inch and big enough to place their template on top.
• Using the template students will cut 4 equally sized clay walls for their box.
• Put the walls together creating a topless and bottomless box. Make some coils and score and slip between the seams of the 2 walls put together to make them stronger. 
• Once all the walls are put together, open another slab that is big enough for the box to be placed on top. Cut the shape of the bottom by tracing the sides of the box.
• Score and slip the bottom and the walls together.
• Do the same for the lid of the box, but don't score and slip it to the box. 
• Add a handle and some small pieces to hold the lid inside the box
• Add some footing to lift the box off the surface 
• Scratch your name on the bottom 
• Put on the shelf to dry

Glazing

• Follow glazing instructions as given in the label
• Give your project 3 coats of glaze
• Put leftover glaze back in the bottle.