How to Make a Recessed Foot with Two Clay Slabs Layering Clay Slabs to Make a Recessed Foot Katrina Chaytor

I was blown away by the way Katrina Chaytor makes a recessed foot on her salt and pepper caddies in the Pottery Making Illustrated archive. It just doesn’t seem like it would work, but Katrina layers two soft slabs and cuts out the center creating a perfect raised foot along the outer edge.

In this post, an excerpt from the aforementioned issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, Katrina explains the process in detail. Not only is this a great way to make a recessed foot for her caddies, but I could see the technique being used to make trays, saucers, and large serving platters! - Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor

PS. To see how she makes her caddies and salt and pepper shakers, check out the November/December 2017 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated!

Making the Holder for the Shakers

When making slabs, I first pound out the clay, flipping it several times in the process, using the rolling pin like a mallet, followed by rolling out the clay. I continue to flip, roll several times, and flip again. This ensures good compression in the wall of the clay slab, which reduces warping and cracking. Also, taking a damp rib—to reduce drag—I smooth and compress the surface of the slab on both sides. I roll my slabs on pieces of drywall (taped at the edges to keep gypsum flakes from getting in the clay).

To make the raised platform base, I roll out and layer two slabs, this way I can alter them both at the same time (so the thickness of the slabs must be considered). Ever so gently, I roll the two layers together on a board covered with one sheet of newsprint (1). The key is to have the slabs adhere without any air space between but not be mashed together. Using a template, I cut out the base with a slight angle to the knife (2, 3), then compress this edge with a rib. Place another board on top to sandwich the base, turn it upside down, then use a paper template to plot the cutout for the center. Now, cut that center piece out of the top, again holding the knife at a slight angle, impart a slightly bevelled cut for easy release (4). Push the knife blade slightly down into the second slab layer. This is important as it allows the cut slab to pull away with ease, creating a raised foot (5). (I learned this layered slab technique from George Mason who used it to make layered tiles). It’s important to keep the center cut-out piece as it will be used as a support for the base once it’s flipped right-side up again, and throughout the building and drying process. I use a fettling knife to compress the slight incision between the two slab layers—as additional insurance to prevent them from separating. Trim away approximately ¼ inch from the cut-away support slab, and reinsert it into the raised foot area with newspaper between it and the base. Sandwich the base between boards, and flip upright.