Building a wet slab bonsai pot

[ABCarve]

I would replace “art” for “skill “. In another life I did boat building. The same techniques used for forming the compound curves in boats and half-models of boats were used here. Fusing this technique into ceramics was the “creative “ part. Given that, it doesn’t take a lot of skill to make a rectangular form. It does take some perseverance to smoothly encase that form with clay. I thank you for your kind words but I’m trying to remove the mystery and put it within the grasp of people who might like to try. In their efforts they may move the technique forward with new design.

 

[sorce]

Maybe a bit of a thread bomb, but I've been a fan of this pot you made

and I think I just saw it in a Bjorn video with a tree in it.

Am I right or am I right??

Nice! I saw that but just (at the time) thought, "that's a dope lip".

That has been a Fave of mine too!

Sorce

 

[ABCarve]

Nice! I saw that but just (at the time) thought, "that's a dope lip".

That has been a Fave of mine too!

Sorce

This one is titled Klaatu Barata Nikto!!

 

[ABCarve]

Nice! I saw that but just (at the time) thought, "that's a dope lip".

That has been a Fave of mine too!

Sorce

This one doesn't have holes......hmmmm??????

 

[ABCarve]

I used that same boat building technique for building carved wooden vessels. Instead of clay I used wood carving chips, the part you usually sweep off the floor. This was the genesis of using it for clay.

 

[Sekibonsai]

This one doesn't have holes......hmmmm??????
View attachment 287970

It happens... Found these two in the barn.. moved with me unfired back in 2005. Decided to throw them in the last load...

 

[0soyoung]

I’m trying to remove the mystery and put it within the grasp of people who might like to try.

Again,

 

[Anthony]

Interesting ABC,

K also takes a block of clay and carves the shapes.
There is a Japanese book that shows how they do it.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[ABCarve]

It happens... Found these two in the barn.. moved with me unfired back in 2005. Decided to throw them in the last load...

Wow.....Really like the second one!

 

[ABCarve]

Interesting ABC,

K also takes a block of clay and carves the shapes.
There is a Japanese book that shows how they do it.
Good Day
Anthony

It's actually known as "descriptive geometry". These days its very common in CAD for describing complex surfaces. I'm doing the low tech version with a pencil, compass and ruler.

 

[Sekibonsai]

Wow.....Really like the second one!

Thanks. I also just found my glaze book from that time so I might actually have noted what I used!

 

[ABCarve]

Thanks. I also just found my glaze book from that time so I might actually have noted what I used!

Yea I know how you feel. My excuse is I’m 65. I can hide Easter eggs from myself.

 

[ABCarve]

Well, it that time of year again and I have to refamiliarize myself. Trying out some modifications to the process. Starting out with a little art nouveau free-form for a rosemary in need of a smaller pot. @Vin

 

[ABCarve]

So this year I'm trying a little shortcut. I make carved wooden ribs to shape banding, feet profiles and lips, but now I'm using them to form the entire profile of the pot. Much quicker and variations are easily modified. One plug makes any number of different designs. The whole pot can be completed in one session except for some minor cleanup.

 

[Vin]

Well, it that time of year again and I have to refamiliarize myself. Trying out some modifications to the process. Starting out with a little art nouveau free-form for a rosemary in need of a smaller pot. @Vin

View attachment 332830

I will keep it in my thoughts and prayers.. That thing is gorgeous! I want to get my weeping out of the ground and in a pot but I'll have to go big for now.

 

[Vin]

So this year I'm trying a little shortcut. I make carved wooden ribs to shape banding, feet profiles and lips, but now I'm using them to form the entire profile of the pot. Much quicker and variations are easily modified. One plug makes any number of different designs. The whole pot can be completed in one session except for some minor cleanup.

View attachment 333145View attachment 333146View attachment 333147View attachment 333148

One might say you know what you're doing!

 

[ABCarve]

I will keep it in my thoughts and prayers.. That thing is gorgeous! I want to get my weeping out of the ground and in a pot but I'll have to go big for now.

I don't think I'll have to do a lot of root reduction because of all the overhang on the slab pot. The slab is about 12" and the new one about 9.5". But I'll take all the thought and prayers I can get.

 

[Vin]

I don't think I'll have to do a lot of root reduction because of all the overhang on the slab pot. The slab is about 12" and the new one about 9.5". But I'll take all the thought and prayers I can get.

Are you going to keep as much soil intact as you can or will you try and replace it?

 

[ABCarve]

Are you going to keep as much soil intact as you can or will you try and replace it?

Good question!!!! Not sure..... I would like too get some new soil in there but.........I'll have to see just what it is. It's been in that for 5-6 years. Scary, but I think worth the effort.

 

[Vin]

This would make great educational material for both this thread and The Rosemary Thread if you're up to it. I don't think I've ever seen a "step-by-step" repot with photos on Rosemary. Most people are unnecessarily scared of Rosemary because there just isn't a lot of information out there to help.