Making Furniture

Nope, not that kind…

These last 2 weeks I have been getting over my fear and loathing of slabs, because I have finally figured out how to keep them from cracking during drying. So, lots of slab plates for starters, then a customer came in who wanted even more in different sizes for his sushi restaurant. This is good high end restaurant, and there is a very high chance of repeat business.

Anyway, I had been using someone else’s risers for my plates, but since I needed my own anyway, I spent a few hours today mixing up some fireclay and press molded my own risers.  Below are pictures of the very simple process. These risers will be used during drying and also during firing to support corners and edges. The fire clay is very rough and easy to grind off if the glaze runs and sticks to it.

Riser jig. I just press in a clay coil then trim lengthwise with a wire.
Riser jig. I just press in a clay coil then trim lengthwise with a wire.
Risers sitting on plaster to stiffen.
Risers sitting on plaster to stiffen.
Risers before cutting
Risers before cutting
After cutting, about 360 risers.
After cutting, about 360 risers.

Here are some of the plates that have been made so far:

 

Slabs cut and laid to rest/stiffen for a night.
Slabs cut and laid to rest/stiffen for a night.
Stiffened slabs cut to match template.
Stiffened slabs cut to match template.
Finished and supported with risers.
Finished and supported with risers.
Natural stone texture.
Natural stone texture.
Four sided slab plates, 22cm x 15cm.
Four sided slab plates, 22cm x 15cm.
Square slab plates, 25cm square
Square slab plates, 25cm square
Thrown/stretched slab 'Abalone' plates
Thrown/stretched slab ‘Abalone’ plates
More slab plates, this time much more flat, so that picking up sushi is easy.
More slab plates, this time much more flat, so that picking up sushi is easy.

One thought on “Making Furniture”

  1. Hi MIke,

    Great article. I’ll have to start using some furniture for my slab plates. I usually use a rolled up towel to go around the slab but that doesn’t work so well in the firing…duh!…and I wonder why my plates were so flat after they were fired!! What glaze do you plan on using for them? Hope all is well in Taku.

    All the best,

    Ron

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