Introduction:
The Thanksgiving table is a special place to reflect upon what has made this past year special with family and friends. This centerpiece is designed to sit in the middle of the Thanksgiving table and can be filled with candies or scraps of paper that have what you're thankful for written on them.

Materials:

• 1lb. air dry clay
• Slip
• Metal fork or needle tool
• Butter knife
• Wooden rolling pin or glass jar
• Modeling tools optional

Directions:
1. This small centerpiece is going to be a slab built piece (as opposed to coil built), meaning that each side is a flat piece of clay which will be attached to the other sides at the corners and all will be attached to a flat piece which is the bottom. Using a rolling pin or a glass jar, roll the clay flat until it is about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Using the butter knife, cut out a small (3"x3") square for the base.

2. Now cut four small flat slabs for the sides. Attach the sides to the bottom using the slip and score method. This will assure strong joints. Smooth out the cracks with your fingers and water or a modeling tool.

3. Take any scraps of clay, re-roll them into a ball and roll flat again using the rolling pin or glass until it is approximately 1/4" thick. Cut out shapes of leaves, acorns, feathers or anything else that strikes you as fall or Thanksgiving oriented, out of flat pieces of clay.

4. Attach to the outside of your box by slipping and scoring. Let your box dry overnight or until it no longer feels cool when you hold it up to your cheek. You can paint it fall colors with acrylic paints. Then at your Thanksgiving dinner, have everyone write what they are thankful for on a piece of paper and put them in the box. Sometime during or after dinner, share these notes with the whole family.

Artspeech:
Slip and Score – Slip is a mixture of clay and water which acts as the glue between joints. Score (or rough up) both surfaces that are to be adhered with a metal fork or a bamboo skewer, toothpick etc¸ Then apply some of the slip to each surface and then put the pieces together. Use your fingers or a modeling tool to smooth out the cracks to ensure a strong joint.

References:
Cosentino, Peter. The Encyclopedia of Pottery Techniques. Running Press, Philadelphia. 1990.
Peck, Judith. Sculpture as Experience. Chilton Book Co., Pennsylvania. 1989.
Topal, Cathy Weisman. Children, Clay and Sculpture. Davis Publications, Massachusettes. 1983

Back to the Activity Center