When Clay is drying it warps and bends and tries to do anything except stay where you put it when making flat things like trays or tiny little jewelry pieces. So usually you make flat pieces on rainy days, (or in the south on any day where you walk outside and can't breathe due to the humidity.) But on occasion one may need things to dry flat on a sunny day. Well, where there's a need there's usually an invention! (and this is no different)
So...what can keep flat things flat? Lay another board on top? Sure, but it could scrape the face of your piece...How about turning it upside down for drying? Sure, unless it has a lip or bend like the edge of a tray. So what will wick out moisture and allow any shape to remain undamaged? Bags filled with something heavy! Sand, or bb pellets, or marbles?
It should be heavy, but not too heavy...and nothing that could leave marks on the body of the clay... Rice! Rice is the magic ingredient! I can make bags and fill them with rice! ...but how much rice? Well, let's see what they have at the grocery store and start there. Score!!!! Giant bag just waiting for me...so after the toddler sized 20lb bag of rice was strapped in and safely riding home in my convertible, I got to work.
First, I made bags from an old cotton sheet...like little pillow cases for my pottery.
Second, I filled the rice bags with 5-10 lbs of rice! (No my whole floor isn't covered in rice, the carpet is just the same color...ha!)
Then tried it out! Worked great! Large things, small things, detailed things...all things stayed flat and no warping!
Now if only I could get them glazed and fired as easily...fingers crossed! (The kiln is still the enemy)
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