Not Your Everyday Facets Dwayne Sackey

The thickness of your walls depends on how deep you wish to cut your facets with a cheese cutter. The cheese cutters that I like to use are adjustable and I usually work with the setting at just under a centimeter. You can freehand this process if you like, but I appreciate the consistency that comes with the predetermined measurement.

Refine the exterior with a metal rib to shape the form, then prep the surface for faceting.

Make your cuts starting from the bottom of the stem moving upward (2), and rotating the tool to the left so that it comes to a diagonal angle a quarter of the way up the stem, then pull the tool out to leave a sharp angle. Move up about a centimeter, then place the tool in and repeat the process, this time starting with it diagonally facing left and ending halfway up the form facing diagonally right (3). On the next pass, end with the cut horizontal a centimeter below the rim. Continue this process by alternating the angles around the stem. I aim to create a zigzagging line of raised clay working its way around the stem by lining up the cuts in an alternating direction. Feel free to play with the patterns, angles, and depth of your cuts. Faceting is such a fun process and there are so many possibilities when you start with a thick enough cylinder.

The cup that sits atop the stem follows a similar process. Start with 2 pounds of clay and throw a narrow cup shaped like a shot glass with ½-inch-thick walls. Straighten up the sides of the form, then refine the exterior with a metal rib to prep the surface for faceting (5).

Facet the cup starting from the bottom and pulling the tool out halfway up the form this time to create a zigzagging pattern that works its way around the belly of the cup (6).

When you have made facets all the way around the form, it is time to open the cup. Since you left a substantial amount of clay in the walls and are working with a plastic clay body, the pot has a good chance of opening without tearing or crumpling. Start out by expanding the interior of the pot by hand and then shape it with a rib to get the desired curve (7). In my opinion, the rib’s shape is the best way to dictate the angle of the curve of a bowl and if the rib you are using does not give the desired shape when pressed into the clay, it might be worth making or buying a rib that will give you your desired curve without too much fuss. There is nothing more satisfying than having a good rib that, when pressed into a steeply angled bowl, creates an elegant curve that sings in harmony with the form. There are lots of ways to create a nice curve and you can achieve the curve of your bowl however you see fit.