Playing with the slip trailing tool

A month or so ago, I bought a slip trail tool at a Highwater Clays Store in St. Petersburg, FL. I have seen many really interesting designs made with that tool and though why not try it myself, since I like decorating pots and I am not afraid of complicated designs.

So yesterday and today I have been practicing with this little tool, is not so hard to manipulate once you have the slip in the right consistency, that is the hard part. Too thick and is really hard to squeeze the plastic container and to watery, and the design will run away.

I have not master it yer, but I will keep trying, possibilities seem to be endless. Here are my two attempts. Hope they will make it to the studio tomorrow.

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4625244428077594559

 

Saving the Greenware

I got two pieces from my teacher, she again asked me if I wanted to do something with them otherwise she will discard and I don't like that,  I will save anything (almost anything I must admit). Although I should also say, that some pieces don't deserve to be saved, I must learn to let them go....but not these couple.  So I did something with them. I did a sgraffito design with one of them, a bird, bring me back memories of the old good days in Lima, when I was studying drawing animation. I think one of my characters from the short film animation will show up again very soon :)  I wonder if Edith or Maria Angelica will remember it...

With the second vase I wanted to try a design with slip and carving. I didn't have the official potter tool, the slip trail applicator, so I used a piping bag instead. It doesn't work quite exactly as I planned, or maybe the vase was a bit to dry or maybe I just need more practice or maybe the slip had not the right consistency.... many maybes, I will keep trying.