Page "hobbies" Paragraph 470

General directions:

Use well-wedged clay, free of air bubbles and pliable enough to bend without cracking.

Clean wooden molds and presses thoroughly ; ;

they must be free of oil, wax and dust.

Pressing designs:

The size of wooden mold will determine the amount of clay needed.

Roll clay to thickness indicated in individual instructions.

Whenever possible, use the wooden mold as a pattern for cutting clay.

When mold has more than one design cavity, make individual paper patterns.

Place mold or paper pattern on rolled clay and cut clay by holding knife in vertical position ( cut more pieces than required for project to make allowance for defects ; ;

experiment with defects for decoration techniques of glazes and colors ).

Place the cut clay piece loosely over the carved cavity design side of wooden mold.

To obtain clear impression of mold, press clay gently but firmly into mold cavity, starting at center and working to outer edges.

Trim excess clay away from outer edges.

Check thickness of clay and build up thin areas by moistening surface with a little water and adding small pieces of clay.

Be sure to press the additional clay firmly into place without locking in air bubbles.

Allow project to stand for about five minutes ( if wooden press mold is a good antique, do not leave clay in too long as the dampness may cause mold to crack ).