Country Salt & Pepper Shakers

This is a simple slab project that is very flexible in design and makes a great gift. This photo is the finished product before firing and glazing. You can change the size by making smaller or larger slabs, or you can change how you attach your lid. If you decide to try this project, you can follow the steps below.You will need to purchase two 1/2 inch plastic plugs for the bases of the shakers for filling with salt or pepper. Angled corks could also be used but use a size that will fit the base of each shaker.

• Slice off a 1 1/2 inch slice of clay from your block, and reseal the bag.
• Wedge your clay well and flatten it out on your board with a few hits of your rolling pin or palm of your hand.
• Place your rolling sticks on each side of the clay as you roll it out to ensure a uniform depth (1/4 inch) 
• Using one of your sticks as a guide, cut two slabs measuring 3 3/4 inches X 7 1/2 inches which will serve as the shaker walls. 
• Cut out 2 circular cookies of 2 1/4 inches in diameter.These will be the shaker bases.

                 

• Use a pin tool to mark the center of each cookie base, mark with a cross, and cut out a 1/2 inch hole into each one. Smooth inside each hole with the shaft of a round pencil or pen.
•  With leftover clay, form two 8 inch coils to make a raised rim around each cookie base. Score and slurry the outer edge of each base and then each coil and firmly attach the coils around the cookie bases as shown above left.
• Paddle each coil with one of the flat sides of your stick or use a real paddle to flatten and level each base.
• Turn each base over, so the coil side is down. Score and slurry around the bottom outside edge of each base and score and slurry the bottom inside long edge of each slab. Attach each slab around the cookie bases to form the shakers. Press firmly or paddle to ensure a tight fit.
• Cut off any excess of the slab to make a tight seam and then smooth out the seams with your fingers, (above right).
• If you have left over clay or slab, cut out two 3 inch circles for the lids.
• Score and slurry the top rim of each shaker. Slurry each one well.
• Just rough up the undersides of each lid about 1/2 inch in from the edge.
• Press on each lid firmly so it extends out over the rim. Press down all around the top with your index finger to attach the lid to the shaker wall. You can also paddle the lid for a secure fit.
• Use a pin tool or a shish kabob stick to poke in the lid holes.
• Once it is complete, and leather hard, you can add texture by incising the walls with a tool, or just leave it plain.  Okay, here again is the finished project.