Students will design and create custom wooden paddles with carved geometric patterns, then use them to alter and texture leather-hard clay surfaces on either thrown or hand-built forms. The process involves cutting paddle shapes from wood using a saw and carving patterns with a rotary tool, saws, handheld knives, etc.
Step 1: Create a stencil
Fold a piece of paper in half and draw an outline of a paddle sized to suit your pots, with a handle that fits comfortably in your hands.
Step 2: Cut out the paddle shape
Trace the stencil onto scrap plywood and use a scroll saw, band saw, or jigsaw to cut out the paddle shape.
Step 3: Carve the pattern
This step will vary depending on what cut design and pattern you intend to make. For some patterns, a hand saw will be sufficient. For others, you’ll want to use a handheld knife, or a rotary tool like a Dremel with a cutting bit. The key is to experiment and find what works best for you!