Ceramic Arts Daily – Handbuilding Video: Making a Tidy Slab-Built Tumbler with Slip Decoration

Charan Sachar applies slip decoration to his handbuilt tumbler.

Today’s video comes to us from Ceramic Arts Daily reader Charan Sachar. I admire Charan’s ability to make handbuilt forms that are neat and tight. Not that handbuilt forms have to be neat and tight – loose handbuilt forms are great too – but I definitely struggle with making my handbuilt forms appear well crafted and not sloppy (in my eyes). At any rate, this is an enjoyable video, and I definitely picked up a few tips to help improve my handbuilt pots. Hope you will too! – Jennifer Harnetty, editor.

Having trouble watching the Video?

Please see our Video FAQ to troubleshoot.

Looking for instructional DVDs?
Visit the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore to browse our selection.

New titles coming soon!

See another great video by Charan Sachar in the
Ceramic Arts Daily Video Archives!

54 Comments on "Handbuilding Video: Making a Tidy Slab-Built Tumbler with Slip Decoration"

Neha March 1, 2012 at 2:49 pm -

Hi Charan, Thanks you so much for sharing. Your pottery reflecting the Indian art of Henna and block print is absolutely amazing. What clay do you use cone 10 or 6 and do you color your own slips. Thanks, Neha
gisele March 10, 2011 at 1:42 pm -

j ai trouvé la video tres belle pour les commentaire pour moi de toute façon je ne comprends pas votre langage donc la video mes suffit par contre les texte qui a suivi me convient car je fait la traduction automatique je suis toujours emerveillee pas toutes vos fabrications et j apprends beaucoup avec vos videos mais malheureusement a 71 ans je n ai pas les moyen de vous commander quoi que ce soit veuillez m en excuser de profiter les videos gratuites que je trensmets a mes amies de la poterie dont je fait partie merci encore salutations et j espere en recevoir beaucoup, d autres gisele
Charan December 6, 2010 at 2:07 pm -

The black strip is underglaze. You will need to test different underglazes to see how they fire at your temperatures. Glad you enjoyed the video. Charan http://creativewithclay.etsy.com
Wandzetta December 6, 2010 at 1:54 pm -

What did you use for the black strip. Is that colored slip. How did you make it. Love the video
Charan November 15, 2010 at 12:38 am -

Hi Susan, I use a lot of crazy Math to figure out the templates for the final piece I need. Here is a blog entry I had done for making some handbuilt jars. It is the engineer in me that tends to work like this. :) http://creativewithclay.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-do-i-need-to-learn-math.html The easiest thing to do is to find a paper cup that you like, cut out the bottom and make a cut along the length and lay it flat. Increase this by the shrinkage of your clay (You can take a photocopy with magnification) and you have a template.
susan November 14, 2010 at 11:59 pm -

Nice Video, just wonder how you come up with the pattern for the tumbler?
Charan November 6, 2010 at 11:29 am -

Hi Jo, Sometimes if my stamps stick to the clay, I do dust the surface of clay with corn starch. I prefer not to as it can cause problems with the slip and underglaze. The clay should be a soft leatherhard stage such that the stamps do not stick. Charan
Jo November 6, 2010 at 3:03 am -

Thanks for your demo, it’s always very interesting seeing people work who are very skilled at what they do. One question..it was a little hard to tell from the picture quality, but did you dust the surface with a powder – presume to avoid sticking? Thanks again.
korosh November 4, 2010 at 6:24 pm -

thank u so much very amazing
Brenda November 3, 2010 at 8:21 am -

Wonderful video and very informational. Lots of good tips….. like using the top and bottom of the template to mark design features on the tumbler. Thanks for sharing your techniques!
Charan October 28, 2010 at 3:05 pm -

The music is a compilation of Zakir Hussain’s tabla. You can google to find his music
John October 28, 2010 at 2:36 pm -

Terrific video. Incredible craftsmanship and artistry. The slip application fascinated me with your deftness. Also really loved the music. Could you tell me where I can get a copy of it or the CD ? Thanks, John Burkholder
Sandi October 25, 2010 at 8:58 am -

More of a question than a comment. Where or how can I find templates for handbuilt items, such as the featured tumbler? Have tried to make my own but they never seem to be correct in measurement when actually put together. Thanks
Charan October 25, 2010 at 7:45 am -

Hi Ann, Do read through the comments. In one of the comments I have listed all the step by step instructions. And there are also other helpful links and information too. Charan
Ann October 25, 2010 at 7:21 am -

LOVED the video and would love to try this! However, it sure would help tremendously if there was dialogue along with the video explaining the steps and the tools he used. Those of us(like me) who are relatively new to pottery do not fully understand what is going on during the process, what he is doing, and why! Is it possible for me to get detailed information that I can print out that explains things more…sure would appreciate it?! HELP!! :) Thanks, Ann from South Carolina
Charan October 24, 2010 at 4:39 pm -

Hi Antoinette, Glad to hear you could follow the steps and make some pieces. I use a lot of crazy Math to figure out the templates for the final piece I need. Here is a blog entry I had done for making some handbuilt jars. It is the engineer in me that tends to work like this. :) http://creativewithclay.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-do-i-need-to-learn-math.html The easiest thing to do is to find a paper cup that you like, cut out the bottom and make a cut along the length and lay it flat. Increase this by the shrinkage of your clay (You can take a photocopy with magnification) and you have a template.
Antoinette October 24, 2010 at 4:09 pm -

This was great, thank you. I just made a couple to try out the technique. I “winged it” on the cup pattern but ended up with a cup that has one side slightly taller then the other. Can you give me any guidance on making my pattern? Thanks again.
janine October 24, 2010 at 9:43 am -

Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try this – very inspirational video! Where can I find this fabulous music? Music is always a big part of my creative process and imho you picked the PERFECT piece to go with the demo. Excellent! Would love to find the cd. Thank you!
Charan October 23, 2010 at 9:55 pm -

Thanks Shawn. You can see the finished pieces at http://creativewithclay.etsy.com Charan
shawn October 23, 2010 at 8:59 pm -

Fantastic as usual…. and as usual I would love to see the final product. What directions he goes with in regards to glaze… or is he keeps it simple to emphasize the details and slip work. etc. Thanks
Charan October 23, 2010 at 6:35 pm -

@Mary Scotch tape? Is that what you are asking?
mary October 23, 2010 at 6:08 pm -

Beautiful video,I’m rushing out for mylar tomorrow.What is it that you stuck in the end of the slip trailer after you filled it? Thanks for the inspiration!
patti October 23, 2010 at 5:14 pm -

Loved the video and your decorations! Since the sound on my computer is bad, I appreciated that it wasn’t needed. I went to your site and was so excited to see how to make the slip trailing tool then came back here and found out what the material was! All my questions answered…until I actually try it. Then, no doubt, many will surface. Thank you so much for being so generous about sharing your techniques!
Kelly October 23, 2010 at 3:13 pm -

Thanks for this vid, Charan and Jennifer. It covers both the basics and a lot of nice attention to detail.
Charan October 23, 2010 at 12:50 pm -

That is a slip decorating tool I make myself out of mylar paper. It was featured on Ceramic Arts Daily a while back. Here is the link to that video on how I make it. /clay-tools/decorating-tools/video-of-the-week-slip-cones-easy-to-make-pottery-tools-for-precise-slip-trailing/
Char October 23, 2010 at 12:23 pm -

Charan, I loved the video but would like to know what kind of slip trailer you are using. I have not had much success with the bulbous one I have. Thanks.
Jean October 23, 2010 at 12:07 pm -

Thank you so much for this inspiring video and the generous detailed information. You certainly have found your potter’s voice, which is the main one in my opinion! God bless you for sharing.
Dr. David October 23, 2010 at 10:03 am -

I found your video inspiring. Creativity is not only originality but modification of what already has been produced. You have given me several new ideas and your responses to these comments have already answered many of my questions. Thank you!! :)
Blair October 23, 2010 at 6:14 am -

A very impressive video. Thank you for your generosity of spirit. Blair
roxanne October 22, 2010 at 10:00 pm -

What is the tool you use for applying slip? Looks like a cake deorating tool? Thanks! That was very ….enjoyable and edifiying.
Cyrus October 22, 2010 at 7:06 pm -

Charan, Your gift to all of us is wonderful – thank you. Especially, when you gave us the right to use some intellect and freedom to observe and learn instead of adding a voice-over commentary. There is nothing complicated in your video – I only wish I could play the Sitar that good also. Cyrus
Charan October 22, 2010 at 4:18 pm -

The music is a compilation of Zakir Hussain’s tabla. You can google to find his music.
Audrey October 22, 2010 at 3:56 pm -

I loved the use of the tools for rolling and smoothing the clay, as well as the repetive, not just once or twice. That’s part of making it tight and pro looking. My congrats! Audrey Emley
Beatrice October 22, 2010 at 3:45 pm -

appart of the ceramics, I love the music… could you give us the title?
Carol October 22, 2010 at 3:03 pm -

This was a great little instructional video. Thank you for sharing it.
Charan October 22, 2010 at 1:05 pm -

I want to mention that my handbuilding skills greatly improved after attending a workshop from Oregon potter, Ginger Steele (http://www.insomniapottery.com). Do check out her amazing work too and take a workshop whenever you get a chance.
Charan October 22, 2010 at 12:56 pm -

@Irma That is a slip decorating tool I make myself out of mylar paper. It was featured on Ceramic Arts Daily a while back. Here is the link to that video on how I make it. /clay-tools/decorating-tools/video-of-the-week-slip-cones-easy-to-make-pottery-tools-for-precise-slip-trailing/
Irma October 22, 2010 at 12:55 pm -

Nice to see all those tools in action, very creative process. What is used to apply the color slip (is there like a paper bag with some tip at the end?) I am sure your voice must be nice. The instructions are important!!! Irma Chicago
Irma October 22, 2010 at 12:54 pm -

Nice to see all those tools in action, very creative process. What is used to apply the color slip (is there like a paper bag with some tip at the end?) I am sure your voice must be nice. The instructions are important!!! Irma Chicago
Charan October 22, 2010 at 12:44 pm -

@Pam That tool is just a notch I put at the end of a popciple stick and used as a profiler to round the bottom edge and gice it a finished look.
Charan October 22, 2010 at 12:43 pm -

Thanks all. You can see my finished tumblers along with other similar handbuilt mugs with handles at http://creativewithclay.etsy.com
Victoria October 22, 2010 at 12:34 pm -

Thanks for sharing! Would love to see finished tumblers..
Christine October 22, 2010 at 12:25 pm -

Great video & beautiful work. Thanks for adding the explanations about tools, etc. As I was watching, I was wondering–now what is that he’s using? Thanks for sharing. I just made my first slab built cups–not as neat as yourS! Christine
Pam October 22, 2010 at 12:01 pm -

Thank you for the video. I picked up some great tricks with the Egg and styrofoam ideas. I am still unsure about the bottom tooling you did before you placed the “cup’ on top of it. What was that,please? Pam in Georgia
dena October 22, 2010 at 11:56 am -

What a great video. Thanks for making it. I love the tumbler.
Dianne October 22, 2010 at 11:30 am -

Another killer video by an amazing potter. No narrative was necessary, although,you have a delightful voice.:) Dianne Steilacoom, WA
Charan October 22, 2010 at 11:30 am -

Hi Cindy, It is practice and good banding wheel (Shimpo). And a steady hand helps too. :)
Charan October 22, 2010 at 11:29 am -

Since I got a few emails regarding this, the surface I am laying my slab on is Tar paper I got from a construction site. You can use newspaper too, but after 2-3 slabs the newspaper tends to wrinkle. Charan
Cindy October 22, 2010 at 11:06 am -

Charon, Great video; thanks! I love the tumbler. What a lot of detail you put into it, yet it retains the charm of a handbuilt piece. Is there a secret to painting on the black slip so evenly, or do you just have a steady hand? Cindy
Charan October 22, 2010 at 10:32 am -

Here are the steps for the process. Cut template for your tumbler or cylinder from a thin slab (1/8 inch) of compressed clay. The clay needs to be a little stiffer than fresh out of the bag. Roll the top rim with a brayer to round it making it comfortable for drinking. Roll the side of the slab to bevel it later for joining. The brayer can be purchased at a clay supply store. Roll patterns or use stamps to decorate. This is where you can let your creativity show through. I make some stamps and some I purchase at thrift stores. Apply slip to the sides and roll over a rolling pin to form your tumbler. To true up the roundness, use a round object like a Styrofoam ball which won’t stick to the clay. Score and slip to add the bottom. The bottom is finished by running a profile tool (made from a popsicle stick) along the edge. My tumblers are embellished with buttons to capture the look of embroidered fabric wrapped around and held together with buttons. These tumblers are further decorated with slip to give more texture. Hope this helps. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me at creativewithclay@yahoo.com Thanks Charan PS: I don’t like the sound of my voice and hence avoid talking in my videos. :)
Gay October 22, 2010 at 10:30 am -

It is a joy to watch you work–a master of the craft and an artist all in one! I appreciate your generosity. I always think, “I can do that.” after watching your demos–but I can’t!
rosemary October 22, 2010 at 10:29 am -

Enjoyed it, but the low quality of the video made it very difficult to see the first part when he was making the marks.
Tangelene October 22, 2010 at 10:27 am -

It would have been nice to know exactly what tools he was using, and to what purpose. Impressive none the less.
viva October 22, 2010 at 10:11 am -

really great to watch. thanks for giving us the entire process viva
margaretd9 October 22, 2010 at 10:05 am -

It would have been nice to have verbal directions.