How to Make a Pyramid Ceramic Teapot
A ceramic pyramid teapot is made using the slab technique. The slab technique is the simplest clay method to construct a pyramid teapot. It uses pieces of clay rolled into 1/4- to 3/8-inch slabs. The clay slabs are made with a slab roller or by using a rolling pin and two long pieces of wood, such as yardsticks. Design the pyramid, using right triangles for the sides and a square for the bottom. Connect the pattern pieces together with slip or coils of clay.
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Things You'll Need
- Canvas
- Clay
- Yardsticks
- Rolling pin
- Ruler
- Craft knife
- Yogurt container
- Small artist paintbrush
- Decorating wheel
Instructions
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1
Place an 18-by-18-inch piece of canvas on a flat stable work surface. Put a yardstick vertically 2 inches in from the left and right edges of the canvas.
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2
Place a 6-inch ball of clay in the center of the canvas. Roll the 6-inch ball of clay into a slab, using the yardsticks as thickness guides. Continue rolling until the clay slab is even with the yardsticks. Set aside.
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3
Draw a 6-by 6-inch square, a 6-inch-wide-by 6-inch-tall equilateral triangle and a triangle 11/2-inches wide by 3 inches tall on a piece of paper. Cut the paper templates from the paper.
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4
Place the 6-inch square paper template on the surface of the clay slab. Cut around the template.
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5
Place the 6-inch equilateral triangle on the clay surface. Cut around the template. Repeat the process for a total of four equilateral triangles.
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6
Place the 11/2-by 3-inch-tall triangle template on the clay slab. Cut around the template. Repeat the process for a total of four triangles.
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7
Remove the scrap clay from between the cut-out pieces. Allow the cut-out pieces to dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Gently remove one equilateral triangle from the canvas. Carefully stand it up to see if it holds it's own weight. If not, place the triangle on the canvas and allow to dry for 15 minutes. Repeat the process until the clay can hold its own weight without bending or warping.
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8
Mix a small batch of slip. Place a 1-inch ball of clay in an empty yogurt container. Add enough water to cover the ball. Mix the clay and water together with the handle of the artist paintbrush. The slip will be the consistency of pudding. Add more clay or water if needed to achieve the consistency.
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9
Place the 6-inch square of clay in the center of a decorating wheel. Brush a coating of slip around the outside edge of the square. Center the bottom of each 6-inch equilateral triangle along the four sides of the square. Rest the top point of the triangles together to form a pyramid. Carefully lift each section up far enough to paint a strip of slip between the seams. Place the triangles in place.
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10
Roll a thin coil of clay 1/4 inch thick. Place the coil between the seams of the triangles. Smooth into place. Repeat the process for each triangle.
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11
Carefully lay the pyramid on it's side. Roll a thin coil of clay 1/4 inch thick. Place the coil between the seams of the triangles and square base. Smooth into place. Carefully sit the pyramid on its base.
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12
Measure down and draw a line 2 inches from the top point of the pyramid. Cut along the line with a craft knife to create the top of the teapot. Carefully remove the top and set aside.
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13
Connect the four 11/2-by 3-inch triangles to form a pyramid. Line the 11/2-inch edges to form the base. Tip the points of the triangles together to form a small pyramid shape. Secure the seams together with slip and small coils of clay.
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14
Cut the top point from the pyramid to form the pouring spout for the teapot. Cut at a 70-degree angle.
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15
Hold the 11/2-inch base of the spout to one side of the pyramid. Center the spout in the desired location. Draw around the outside of the spout. Remove the spout and cut along the lines.
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16
Replace the spout and secure into place, using slip and a small coil of clay. Paint a layer of slip along the cut edge. Position the spout. Roll 1/4-inch coils and place the coils along the spout seam. Smooth into place.
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17
Roll a 1/2-inch coil of clay 8 inches long. Tap the long edge of the coil to make three flat sides. Pick up the coil and gently drop it on the table. Turn the coil to form the second flat side. Repeat the process until the coil looks like a long triangle.
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18
Bend the triangle coil of clay to the desired handle position. Allow the clay to dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Gently pick up the handle. Check to see it holds its shape. If not, allow to dry at 15 minute increments.
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19
Position the handle on the pyramid teapot. Remove the handle and paint a layer of slip on each connection point. Gently push the handle into place. Roll 1/4-inch coils of clay to use along each seam. Smooth the coils into the seams.
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20
Place the lid on the teapot. Sit the teapot in a safe location to dry.
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