MATERIALS

1) large piece of cheesecloth.
2) a grocery carton about 2 feet by 3 feet.
3) large rolling pin or a long metal pipe about 2 inches in diameter.
4) box of tacks.
5) about 10 Ibs. of modeling clay. Make sure it is carefully wedged.
6) large piece of oil cloth about 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 feet.
7) large piece of burlap with a very coarse weave. If not available, then use a second piece of oil cloth with the same measurement as the first piece. 
8) sharp knife or needle tool.
9) clean-up sponge.
10) paper or cardboard pattern of the silhouette of the platter.
11) 2 pieces of wood stripping about 2 feet long and 1 1/2 inch thick.

Step # I-Layout your large piece of oil cloth on its reverse side on a flat surface.

Step # 2-Place the round ball of wedged clay in the center of the oil cloth. Place the burlap over the clay. If burlap is unavailable, use another piece of oil cloth. ?

Step # 3-Place the two pieces of stripping parallel to each other on both sides of the clay, close enough for the rolling pin or pipe to roll along on, like railroad tracks. .Roll the pin back and forth over the clay in different directions to make the clay flatten out to a round shape. Make sure that the pin rolls on. the boards to assure an even thickness of clay throughout the piece. If the pin slides off its track the edges will be thinner. If you want the edges of the platter thinner than the center move the boards away and roll the pin from the center towards the circumference in all directions.

Step # 4-If you have used the burlap, turn over the clay so that the burlap is now on the bottom and the oil cloth on top. If you didn't use burlap, don't bother turning over the piece. Be careful not to mess up the clay when you flip it over.

Step # 5-Peel off the top piece of oil cloth

Step #6-Cut out the top of the carton. Lay a double thick piece of cheesecloth over the carton allowing the excess to drop over the sides. Tack the cloth to the carton, about two tacks to each side.

Step # 7-Using your pattern as a guide, cut out the large kidney shape with your needle tool or knife. Remove the excess clay.

Step # 8- Take two ends of. the burlap with the clay resting on it (a friend's help works wonders) and carefully turn it over into the cheesecloth nest. Easy!

Step # I9-Peel off the burlap and behold the handsome coarse texture.

Step # I0-You now shape the platter by releasing the tacks on one side at a time so that the hammock becomes deeper in the carton. The deeper you allow the cloth to drop the higher the sides of your clay platter.

Step # 12-Allow the platter to dry a few days before removing it from the box. The open weave of the cheesecloth assures a more even drying of the clay. Clean the edges with your damp sponge and bisque fire the piece when completely dry.

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