How to Make a Lidded Ceramic Box

Use ceramic clay to make a lidded box.

The process of creating ceramic objects is an ancient art form that goes back thousands of years. The oldest known body of ceramic pottery dates from the Jomon period (from about 10,500 to 400 BC) in Japan, according to pottery expert Charles Platten Woodhouse. Today, the process of making ceramics has not changed much, and a ceramic box with a lid can be easily made using a few simple supplies and techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic clay
• Water
• Sponge
• Rolling pin
• Ruler
• Clay sculpting knife
• Pin tool
• Cup
• Kiln
• Glaze

Instructions

Preparation

1. 

   Remove chunks of clay from the clay block.

   Remove six fist-sized chunks of ceramic clay from the clay block; these will be the sides, lid and bottom of the box. Roll each chunk of clay into a ball by applying pressure to the clay with the palms of your hands in a circular motion. Add a small amount of water to the clay, as needed, to make it more pliable.

2. 

   Use a rolling pin to flatten out the clay.

   Flatten each of the six clay balls, using a rolling pin. Press the rolling pin down in the center of the clay ball and roll the pin forward, backward and side-to-side. Apply an even amount of pressure as you roll in each direction, to achieve an even thickness throughout. Add a small amount of water to the rolling pin, as needed, to prevent the clay from sticking. Measure the thickness of each flattened slab to keep each of the six slabs the same thickness. Record the thickness on a piece of paper.

3. Determine the dimensions of the box, and write down the length, width and height on the same paper you wrote the thickness. Keep the recorded dimensions handy so you can make each section of the box the right size.

Making the Sides, Bottom and Lid

1. 

   Use a damp sponge to erase mistakes.

   Take two of the clay slabs you just rolled out and mark the dimensions for the length and height on each, using a ruler. Use a pencil to mark the corners first, connect the dots using a ruler as a guide to keep the line straight. Draw the lines with the clay sculpting knife first before you cut the clay completely, in case the lines are not even. Wet a sponge and wipe over your lines to remove them, if you make a mistake, then draw the rectangle again.

2. 

   Use a clay scupting knife to cut out the rectangles.

   Cut out the rectangle with the clay sculpting knife once you determine the lines are even, the desired dimensions are achieved, and the whole rectangle fits on the slab of clay. Draw the letter L on both of these rectangles, using a pencil or the clay sculpting knife, to identify them as the length pieces.

3. Mark two more of the clay slabs for width and height, using the same method as before. Cut out these rectangles and write the letter W on both, to identify them as the width pieces.

4. Mark the dimensions for the length and width on the last two pieces, using the same method as before. Cut out these rectangles. Write the letter B on one rectangle to identify it as the bottom of the box, and write the letter T on the other rectangle to identify it as the top or lid.

Finishing the Lid

1. Lie the rectangle marked T down flat on the table. Mark a smaller rectangle inside the parameter of this rectangle. Start from the edge of the rectangle on each side and measure in the distance you recorded as the thickness of the clay slabs. Draw this rectangle using the same method as before but do not cut out the smaller rectangle.

2. Remove another small section of clay from the clay block and roll it into a ball using the same method as outlined in Section 1, Step 1. Place the ball in the palms of your hands and move your hands back and forth to coil the ball of clay into a noodle. Make the noodle at least the parameter of the smaller rectangle you drew on the lid, as this noodle will create a lip for the lid, to hold it in place on the finished box.

3. Score the bottom of the noodle by scratching in hatch marks with a pin tool. Score the lid just inside the lines you drew for the smaller rectangle. Mix a small amount of water and clay in a cup to create slip. Apply the slip to the score lines on the lid. Place the noodle over the score lines on the lid. The score lines on the noodle should touch the score lines on the lid. Wet the tips of your fingers and use them to press the edges of the noodle down into the lid, to solidify the connection of the lip to the lid. This lip will fit inside the rim of the box once the box is assembled.

Assembling the Box

1. Lie the two rectangles marked L down on a flat surface, so the length is horizontal and the height is vertical. Score the face of the rectangles, from top to bottom, on the left and right side. Score from the edges to only about 1 inch, depending on how thick your rectangles are, as this is where you will join the length pieces to the width pieces.

2. Stand the two rectangles marked W, so the width lies flat on the table and the height stands up vertically. Score the vertical edges of the width pieces along the portion of the rectangle that represents the thickness.

3. Cover the score lines on each side of one L piece with slip. Join both of the W pieces to it by connecting the scores lines on the W pieces to the score lines on the L piece. Wet the tips of your fingers and use them to smooth the inner and outer joints to solidify the connection. Cover the score lines on the second L piece with slip and join it to other ends of the W pieces using the same method.

4. Score the bottom of the box you just created along the surface that represents the thickness. Lie the rectangle marked B on a flat surface and score the face along the edges. Start at the parameter and score only 1 inch from the edge, as this is where you connect the bottom to the rest of the box.

5. Cover the score lines on the B piece with slip, and set the rest of the box on it. The score lines on the bottom of the box should set on top of the score lines on the B piece. Wet the tips of your fingers and use them to smooth the inner and outer joints to solidify the connection.

Fire and Finish

1. Place the box and lid in the kiln. Leave the lid off of the box for firing. Fire the box and lid at the temperature specified in the clay manufacturer's instructions, as different clays mature at different temperatures. Allow the pieces to cool completely before removing them from the kiln.

2. Remove the items from the kiln. Decorate them using colored glaze, or seal them using clear glaze.

3. Place the box and lid in the kiln once more. Fire the box and lid at the temperature specified in the glaze manufacturer's instructions. Allow the pieces to cool completely before removing them from the kiln.

Tips & Warnings

• If the clay is difficult to work with, assess its moisture level. If it is too dry, add a small amount of water to make the clay more pliable. If it is too mushy, allow the clay to air dry some before you continue.

• Always let fired items cool completely inside the kiln to prevent burn injuries.

References

• Charles Platten Woodhouse: A History of Pottery
• Kerry Marquis: Ceramics and Pottery