Textured Ceramic Coasters

Last spring I was in Philadelphia and visited the Barnes Foundation. Afterwards I went into the gift shop. I was admiring a lovely ceramic persian tray and coasters. The items were a bit out of my price range, however, I examined them and thought "I can make that!"

Step 1: Barnes Foundation Platter

This beautiful platter was a larger version of the coasters I liked. 
This platter cost over $200.00 and if I remember correctly the coasters were something like $27.00 each!!!! Wowza! I can make that!

Step 2: Supplies 1

I had some old chunks of red and  white clay that was too hard to use for hand building with my students,  so I decided to use it to make thick textured coasters.

Clay
underglazes
glaze
access to a ceramic kiln
32 oz. yogurt container
cutting tool
rolling pin

Step 3: Supplies 2

mark making tools
I used rubber texture mats
plaster forms
number and letter stamps
other tools that I found

Step 4: Roll Clay Slab

first roll the clay into a piece approx. 12'X12'

Step 5:

Try to keep the slab about 1/4" thickness through out.

Step 6: Begin Texture

I first chose a textured rubber mat to roll an overall pattern into the clay

Step 7:

Step 8: Marking the Clay

using found and hand made items I began marking the clay. These are tiny dowels taped together to create a flower like mark. 

Step 9:

plastic thread spool

Step 10:

paper clip glued to a film canaster

Step 11:

lid of an old film case

Step 12:

letter printing tool

Step 13:

number printing tools

Step 14: Cutting Coasters

When the slab is covered with textures and marks begin to cut coasters. Using the top lid of the yogurt container place it on the clay and carefully cut around the edge.

Step 15:

I like to make sets of 4

Step 16:

smooth edges with a sponge.

Step 17:

  let dry and fire to bisque in a ceramic kiln.

Step 18: Painting

choose underglaze color to paint the 4 tiles. 

Step 19:

using a sponge remove excess paint

Step 20:

leave paint in the marks  made in the clay pieces

Step 21:

continue wiping away excess paint until coasters look the way you want them.
Then they will need to be glazed and fired again in kiln to serve as ceramic coasters.

Step 22: Magnets

The extra areas of the clay slab can be cut with smaller shapes and turned into refrigerator magnets

Step 23:

this one is a magnet using red clay and white underglaze.