One of my favorite art projects from my childhood was a ceramic wall vase. I used my hand to smash a ball of clay flat to make a slab, but a rolling pin or slab roller can get a more even surface.
This is a perfect project for kids or adults who are just starting out with clay. My art students started by using a slab roller to make a slab of clay. Then they cut out a shape for the back of the vase and used objects to poke, and roll the surface of the clay to make texture. They made pockets with smaller shapes of clay by scoring and slipping to the surface. And finally a hole was made at the top to hang on a nail. Two holes work as well for a ribbon to make a hanger. Once the vases were bisque fired, my students choose a color to paint their vases. By not using too much paint, or over painting it, the clay can show through and reveal the terracotta color and emphasize the texture. Finally we found little flowers to place in the pockets. It's a fun and easy project that can be used for Mother's Day gifts or a springy look in the home. You know it's a good art lesson if you remember it nearly five decades later.
