Oval Box

Oval “Prayer” Box Level: Medium Duration: fairly short (2-3 hrs) Materials needed: 5 lbs. of White moist clay, Desired Stamps (XX10 shown), one yard of canvas, XL rolling pin, Lg. Clay Slicer, sandbag (place one cup of play sand into handkerchief & tie to close), wooden fettling knife, small round sponge, medium glaze brush, squeeze bottle for slip.
The moist clay used in the projects featured is a moist low White low-fire (cone 06-04) clay, available from most ceramic/pottery suppliers. This clay body when fired to cone 04, can be painted with any glaze currently used on standard bisque ware.	Wedge clay. Roll out slab. Measure between 10” & 12” long x 3”-4 ” tall. Use straight edge when cutting. Cut outside edge curvey to add pizzaz.	Predetermine cut-line and stamp below as desired.	Score both edges of slab, where you will slip them together.
Place piece on slab & draw around. Cut bottom out of slab. Smooth edges. Score both piece & bottom.	Slip together. Press firmly. Trim as needed & smooth.	Make a top in the same way, except slightly rounded. Rounded top can be formed on a hump mold.	Press clay into sprig. Scrape edges clean with plastic scraper. Lift from mold with a ball of clay.
Place sprig on lid draw around edge. Remove and score both. Slip together. Clean & smooth edge.	Cut above stamped area. with Large Clay Slicer. You can cut straight or make a curved cut to form a lock as desired.	Clean all edges inside & out. Smooth with sponge.	Place strips of paper towel between lid & piece to prevent sticking. Dry Thoroughly. Fire slowly to a witness cone .04 Glaze as desired & fire accordingly