Floral Ceramic Wall Pocket

15. To create the stamen, roll out another piece of scrap clay into a 1/2" x 2-1/2" pencil-shaped piece (the diameter of an AA battery). Taper one end to a point. Create texture by scratching the surface all the way around with the needle tool.

16. Dip the pointed end of the stamen (clay roll) into the slip, and insert it into the flower (figure F).

17. To attach the flower to the wall pocket, score the clay by scratching the back of the flower and the main piece where the flower will be added. Apply slip to the back of the flower and attach the two pieces together firmly without damaging the flower (figure G). Be sure it is facing the way you want it.

18. For the flower stem, roll out a scrap piece of clay 1/4 inch in diameter and attach it using some slip to both the flower and the wall pocket.

20. Add veins to the leaf by scoring the clay with the end of a small paintbrush (figure I).

21. Attach the leaf to the wall pocket using slip. Curl the leaf to make it look more natural (figure J).

22. To under glaze the piece, brush on the various colors following the instructions on the glaze bottles. Let the piece dry (figure K).

23. Bisque-fire the piece to cone 04 (1945 F or 1063 C).

24. Once the under glazed piece has been bisque-fired, you are ready to glaze the wall pocket. It will be fired again to cone 06 (1828 F or 998 C). Choose a matching temperature clear glaze (gloss, matte, semi matte, etc). I generally use Mayco cone 06 clear. The clear glaze can be brushed on following the manufacturer's instructions. Note: Additional options for applying clear glazes include spraying, dipping and pouring. The base of your piece (where it will sit in the kiln) should not have glaze on it unless you are using stilts during the firing process.

25. Place it in the kiln and fire to cone 06.

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