Vessel

     Vessel

To create my vessel, I chose to use clay.  There are so many possibilities with clay and I find it easy and fun to work with... until this project began to unravel.  I thought it would be cool to have a vessel you can put a candle under to illuminate the inside.  When I began this project I didn't know where to start.  I decided to mold the clay around a bowl and then attach the 2 halves when both were complete.  When I tried to peel the clay off the bowl, it wouldn't work.  I became very impatient with it after trying for a day or two to get it off without ripping.  I had to resort to cutting it off and starting over.  After I got the old  clay off, I again molded around the bowl (using the old clay and patching it together), but put newspaper underneath to ensure it not sticking.  I was able to get both halves off and attach them successfully; although I never got it to look exactly like I had originally hoped.  The shape looked more like a football and I had to keep patching and pressing it until it looked somewhat decent.  It got to the point where I said it was fine and had it fired in the kiln.  After it was fired I decided to go with glaze because it would hide any major imperfections and would look a lot better.  I wanted a bright red glaze, but the closest I could fine was a orange coral color.  I put it on and put many coats of it too; I really wanted it to be the darkest it could.  After the glazed piece came out of the kiln I was amazed!  It was the color I had originally wanted, and it actually looked round!  I took it home and I am so happy it matches and looks great in my living room, just like I wanted.