Ceramic envelope.

Ceramic envelopes.

 I made these envelopes the other day as part of my homage project I worked with the way the envelopes are constructed. I began by rolling out a thin piece of clay and cutting out the shape of an opened up envelope, I then cut the flaps off and stuck them to the envelope base in the correct order. I wanted to show the way I had constructed it so I made the envelope look as if it was being opened, this way you could see the folding technique I had used. I made sure that I pushed the bottom flap between the two side pieces to show that they are in fact two pieces of clay. I think that these pieces are good so far I would like to add writing and glaze to these pieces after they have been fired. I will be making more of these to make a small collection, I will be pushing myself to roll the clay out to its thinnest without it braking.
          I have also looked at the way that letters are opened and created a ripped open envelope. I took one of my new envelopes, sealed it and then ripped it open as if it was a letter I had just had through the door, after doing so I had the exact shape I wanted to create. I did the same thing as above but I had cut through the top flap to create the same effect as I had in front of me with the envelope I had just torn open. I then stuck the top on the clay and added a few finishing touches by pressing the thin fragile areas of ‘ripped’ clay in the air. Copper oxide gave it a great grungy/vintage look. It is safe to say this is a good outcome.

         I then thought about the pattern for the envelopes and decided on using some textured patterned paper/ fabric to create a pattern on the surface of the clay. I will then be making envelopes using the fabric to create both a ceramic and fabric outcome.