How to make a Unsalted Sea Pottery Jewelry Dish

Congratulations on your new piece from Unsalted Sea Pottery! Follow these simple steps to safely and beautifully display your pottery on your wall. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or looking for a little extra guidance, we've got you covered.

Materials

  • Clay
  • Clipboard
  • Rolling pin
  • 2 guide sticks (¼")
  • Rib tool
  • Tweezers
  • Knife
  • Foam sheets:
  • (1) 9" × 12"
  • Straw and skewer/stick
  • Carrying case (to keep clay moist and protected)
  • Texture tools

 

Gather Natural Items

  • Look for objects that will leave strong impressions:
  • Leaves, grasses, small pieces of ground cover
  • Any small, interesting textured objects
  • Tip: Use your carrying case while collecting item

(Please remember it is illegal to pick wild flowers in State Parks and National Parks or Lands)

     

    Create Your Dish

    • Prepare your workspace
    • Use a flat, solid surface.
    • Clip the 9" × 12" foam sheet to your clipboard (prevents sticking).
    • Prepare the clay
    • Wedge the clay to remove air bubbles.
    • Shape into a rough 4" × 3" rectangle with your hands.
    • Place clay between the guide sticks on the foam-covered board.
    • Roll evenly until large enough for one of the form templates.
    • Place the foam template of your choice, on your clay and cut it out. 
    •  Leave to dry for 20 minutes to 1 hour, until it feels like soft leather but will hold its shape.

    Design Your Dish

    • Arrange natural materials on the clay surface.
    • Place a foam template. (creating a sandwich).
    • Gently roll over the top to press textures into the clay.
    • Roll again if needed for deeper impressions.
    • Carefully remove objects
    • Use tweezers if needed.
    • Leave small debris—it will burn off in the kiln.(if  Necessary)

       

      Shaping your Dish​

      • Gently lift and shape the sides
      • Clay should hold its form at the leather-hard stage
      • If needed, support edges with objects, Use foam pieces to prevent sticking.
      • If needed, support edges with objects, Use foam pieces to prevent sticking.

      Final Details

      • Add designs, words, dates, or location using a pointed tool.

       

      Prepare for Storage

      • ​Place your finished dish into the container from your kit
      • Add paper or filler to keep everything secure
      • Cover with a larger foam sheet
      • Important: Make sure dish don’t move around—this prevents damage during transport.

      Return Kit

      • Return everything to the original location.
      • Complete all required forms so your finished tiles can be returned after firing.

        After Firing

      • Paint with acrylic or watercolor paints.
      • Seal with a protective finish (such as polyurethane).
      • Hang your wall piece and enjoy!

      Tips and Tricks

      Wedging Clay

      Wedging Clay is somewhat like kneading dough. Place your hands on the clay as shown in the picture. Push forward As you are turning the clay under your hands.

      Scoring & slip Clay

      When attaching two pieces of clay together, you must score and slip both pieces. Scoring means making marks and roughing up the clay surface. Then, apply slip to the scored areas to act as a glue and securely bond the pieces together.

      Leather Hard

      Leather-hard is a stage in the drying process of clay where it has lost most of its moisture and is stiff enough to hold its shape.