TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Today wasn't particularly a busy day but on the agenda is getting four of this tray form made on this hump mold for hump-day. The illustration shows everything I use to make these forms from mold, fettling knife, credit card, rib, sponge and stamp; these are the tools of the trade for this task, nothing less and nothing more. I roll out the slab and then using a cardboard template cut out the clay to shape and then drape it over the mold and set about defining it to the mold using the sponge, rib and credit card. I usually let the clay stiffen up for about 30 to 45 minutes and then flip it over on to a board, define the edge and repeat the process. After making two trays, I place the mold near the furnace and let it dry for an hour and then I am usually good to go for another two pulls from the hump mold. I used to have two of these mold but I think with little thought you can imagine what happened to it. All in all not a bad use of a hump day and everyday with clay is a good day.