How to Use Your Slab Roller and Hump Mold to Make a Bowl

This will show you how to utilise my other two instructables (slab roller and the hump mold) to hand-build a bowl.

Step 1: Materials Needed

You will need:

Clay, 

Slab roller, 

Rolling pin, 

Slump mold, 

Pin tool, 

Metal rib tool, 

Blade of some sort (I use and x-acto blade)

Step 2: Wedge Clay and Begin Rolling Out

The slab roller also make a great portable wedging table, so you can use it for wedging out a nice clump of clay. You will want to start with the wedged clay semi-flat (use your hands to do this) then begin rolling.

Step 3: Poke Bubbles and Flip the Clay

When it is partially rolled out, you will likely notice some bubbles in the clay. poke  a small hole in each one with your pin tool. You will also want to keep flipping and turning your slab as you roll it. This will help keep it from wanting to curl up as it dries.

Step 4: Smooth the Surface of Your Slab

When you have gotten it all rolled out evenly, go over the surface of your slab with the metal rib tool. This will get rid of the canvas marks on the clay. Unless, of course, you want the canvas marks, then go ahead and skip this step!

Step 5: Gently Lay the Slab Over Your Mold

 Pick up your slab tenderly, making sure not to stretch the clay out of shape. Lay it softly on the mold.

Step 6: Press Over Mold

Firmly, but gently, press the clay over the mold. Lift the sides off the work surface as you bring them close to the mold so they do not stretch and they keep the same thickness.

Step 7: Cut Around Edge...

Use the x-acto blade to cut around the edge of the mold. leave a bit of space so that you can trim as needed when it is upright. 

Step 8: Finish the Piece

I like to leave the clay over the mold until after I have put on a foot (or feet) and done any decorating I want to do to it. I also like to let it dry a bit on the mold. Maybe an hour or so. That way it comes off the mold more easily, especially if the mold is deep, like this one is.