Plate Progress using templates

Anxious to use my templates yesterday, I proceeded.  I used my green foam template to cut out the plate outline.  I could have gone directly to the pattern and cut out the plate and impress design at the same time, but I had the outline template so used it.  The above video shows my application of the "negative" foam design creating raised image.

Then I decided the exercise ball would be perfect to shape plate before I put the foot on:

Taking things one step further

Now that I have the templates for plate shape "and" foot placement, thought I would create a template that would create raised design on the plate where I want it, here are these templates, can use either one, they each will raise different parts of the design.  The pictures look hazy because I forgot to take pictures before I sprinkled with baby powder (cornstarch would work as well) so the packing tape won't be sticky in the parts that touch clay.  Foam doesn't stick, but the packing tape creates a slight pull on the clay if I don't sprinkle with powder.

How do I love thee, let me count the ways-----my Cameo of course!

More ways my Cameo Digital Cutter is aiding my pottery work
The software Designer Edition enabled me to quickly make a template following the excellent advice from today's edition of Ceramic Daily    Liz Zlot Summerfield shared her great technique for getting a slab foot just right and I love the shape of her plate.  Using my Silhouette Cameo Software and my favorite Dollar Tree Foam (which now comes in larger size), I was able to quickly create the templates needed to make perfect feet for plates every time.  The software has such nifty tools, ---first I used a tool I hadn't had occasion to use before,  I created an oval then copied it and rotated it to be vertical clicked both of them-- used the alignment tools to center them

Then used the select all, went to the Modify window and for the first time I was able to use the Divide tool which cut all the bits into separate elements.  You can see the parts I wanted for my plate shape in green here:

Then I spliced 1 and 1/2 sheets of my foam together so I could get the 12x12" size I wanted, and then let my silhouette Cameo cut out the green shape as a template for the plate.  

Then having the overall template (green), I went back to the software, made a smaller version in yellow again, using the cernter/middle alignment tools and offset another one in the middle to get the pattern for the foot and a perfect placement template.  All this took less time than to write up this entry in my blog.  

Now making larger foam cuts to use with pottery

Coastal Carolina Clay Guild 2013 Holiday Show/Sale

Hi folks, for those who might like to see quick (not especially professional) videos of our show/sale here in Wilmington NC on Nov 3 weekend here are the videos   you will know which table was mine from my previous postings.

Still playing like a mad scientist

Found larger foam sheets at the Dollar Tree, these 8x12" sheets give me a lot more potential.  I also found that I can use paper tape (also from Dollar Tree) to tape another piece of foam to make a 12"x12" design.  That is as large as the Cameo will take, though could go up to 12x24 if I bought that mat.  Hmmm, well for now, I am having fun exploring new capabilities.  I started thinking I could make templates out of the foam, it does not stick to the clay so it is ideal.  Also the paper tape won't stick either.  I have learned that I dust the packing tape with powder (cornstarch will do as well) and then the tape won't tug on the clay, nice clean releases.  After playing around with a bowl template (I am going to make lots of bowls for our local "Empty Bowl event in March), so I am off and running.  I usually like to test new glazes, forms, etc for this.  So after making a template plain, I decided I could put designs on the templates and when I roll the template and cut, the pot is already decorated, just needs assembly.  More time at the computer designing things to fit this template and learning more about the Cameo software tools as well.  So, here goes some photos showing my templates and a few bowls and other items I have made using the larger foam designs.  All of these are greenware, still in drying process before firing/glazing.  Lots of gray clay, I am using white earthenware for this phase.

Show is over, whew I'm exhausted

Had an excellent sale, most of the items in my recent posts were sold.  It was a lovely sale with outstanding potttery with a wide diversity of styles, which is why this medium is so much fun.  Lovely to connect with my fellow potters as well since I am much of a hermit working at home now. The raffle tickets for donated items raised thousands of $$ for our local food bank.  The show was very well organized and run by the committee and I am honored to be a part of this group.

Details on how foam was cut using Cameo

There were a couple of comments from some who tried cutting "Regular"craft foam with their Cameo's saying it didn't work.  I bought the CB09 blade assembly "and" both the 45° and 60°
A good rundown on this whole blade thing can be found here:
http://ligayatg.blogspot.com/2012/04/aluminum-blade-holder.html?m=0
Here is a picture of the blade holder with the 60 degree blade in my Cameo:

Here is a picture comparing the blade extension on the CB09 with the regular Silhouette blade:

Sorry this is not a clear shot, but suffice it to say the CB09 blade extension is more than the Silhouette Blade set at 10

AND the craft foam that the Cameo will cut with this blade can be found at Dollar Tree in this package:

and is about half as thin as the regular craft foam found in Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc, my guess is that it is about 1 mil thick 

I have compared it with the cardboard that is the backing for yellow ruled tablet paper and it is about that thick, but the foam is soft, smooth and easier to cut.  I have yet to try sticking the cardboard that is the back of the ruled tablet and test it to see if the 60 degree CB09 blade would cut that.

Getting ready for Guild Sale--

These are low fire clay items, some with glazes I have never used before, some are forms I have previously only made with Cone 5 clay, and on several, I have used my new foam cuts  to create relief images

This image is on reverse side:

and as it was drying:

And from this---drying after shaping and using foam cut tree:

To This After Firing:

and this box, used various sizes of trees using this foamcut:

 with enhancements

And these cute little stick figure plates from foam cuts

and two more wall hearts: