How to Make a Slab Clay Tissue Box

Pottery is an art. And within that art form are several different techniques one can use to create things. Coiling is one of those techniques, slab is another. The slab technique is where clay is rolled out into thin or thick slabs or sheets. It is often used because of its simplicity. To make a tissue box you can do it simply and quickly by using this slab technique.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clay
• Slip (clay and water combined to make a glue)
• Cutting utensil
• Kiln
• Potter's paint (glaze)
• Rolling pin

Making a Slab Tissue Box

1. Pound your paint to make it pliable yet tough enough that it will stand on its own.

2. Roll out your clay using a rolling pin, making sure you roll it out so that it is at least 1/4 inch thick, preferably more.

3. Decide on a pattern for your tissue box cover. Will it be covering a perfectly square tissue box or a rectangular one?

4. Cut the clay into 5 equal sides, that's one for the 4 sides and 1 for the top. Make sure you don't have one for the bottom of the box or you will never get your tissue inside.

5. Cut a hole in the slab for the top for a place through which to pull the tissue.

6. Make some slip by adding water to a bit of clay and mixing it up until it forms a sticky like glue.

7. Make jagged marks with your cutting utensil across the edges of each square slab that will be placed up against another slab. This gives little grooves in which the slab can settle and makes it so the two slabs placed together do not slide.

8. Take your 5 slabs and "glue" them together by placing the slipped edges firmly together.

9. Dip your fingers in water or use extra slip and run it across the creased edges until the separate slabs combine and look like one rounded edge.

10. Place your tissue box in the kiln and fire it over night. If you do not have a kiln, ask around at your local high schools or community colleges. For a small fee, you may be able to add yours to their kiln.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative. A tissue box can be boring, but your's does not have to be. Craft several noses out of clay and "slip" them to each side. On the top is one in front of the opening so the opening looks like a mouth gaped open. On the other sides you can carve a simple smiley face or frowning face beneath the other noses.
• Make sure you check your slab box for cracks or weaknesses prior to firing it and fix them with extra clay or slip. The kiln will expose them and crack your box.
• Only use a kiln if you have the know-how. When in doubt defer to a professional or teacher.