1. Wedge clay and flatten to 1/2 inch using a slab roller. With a slump mold as a guide, cut into a rectangle shape. Use the slump mold to slightly curve the platter upwards rather than being completely flat.
2. Form clay into two small ellipse shapes, with one smaller than the other. Score and slip on small star shapes to make the stem of the tomatoes. Score and slip the tomatoes onto one corner of the platter.
3. Form clay into oblong shapes for the peppers, scoring and slipping on a star shape for the stem. Score and slip these onto the opposite corner of the platter.
4. Create a sphere, then pinch the bottom to create a radish shape. From the slab, cut out a circle shape, using a loop tool to create small divets for the cucumber seeds.
5. Roll out a worm shape, then take a small loop tool to dig out a canyon for a celery shape. On paper, draw out a celery leaf and place on top of a slab to serve as a cutting guideline. Score and slip the leaf on, then add the celery on top.
6. Take a wedge, then form it into a sphere and create a pinch pot. Once the pot is formed, press the sides together to create a triangle shape. Score and slip the pot onto the center of the platter.
7.Hollow out the vergetables from the bottom by digging them out with a loop tool.
8. Take two coils, scoring the sides of them and twisting them together into an arc shape. Repeat. Flatten the ends of each arc and score them onto the sides of the platter as handles.
9. Midfire, then glaze. Fire at cone 05-06.
I'm actually super proud of this! It held its shape well, which I was nervous about. The right handle did break off because the joint wasn't supported well enough; however, it was bone dry at that point, so I decided to just glaze over the stumps and try to make them look intentional. That part might look a little silly, but I'm happy enough with the rest of the piece to make up with it. I think the colors came out very cute, which I am proud of because I spent a long time glazing. It is more colorful than the things I've made previously, and I think it came out well.
The thing I'm the most proud of is that it was finished in time! Last semester I didn't start early enough, so my piece was only fired once. However, I started very early on this piece, especially since I had AP Testing in May, and it paid off.
