Cera-Money

I've been thinking of making LibertyTown money for some time and I roughed out a prototype the other day. I carved into a blank I made out of my fine white stoneware. I let the clay get entirely dry before I begin. I want to make different denominations in different sizes and use them as currency...in place of gift certificates and as prizes for kids who complete our scavenger hunt. Maybe we can sell 'em as good luck charms. Geoge Ohr, the Mad Potter of Biloxi,  used to make rude and suggestive coins for Mardi Gras.  This one is about 1 1/2" wide. I'll throw some blanks on the wheel this week and carve some more ornate ones.

I've continued to develop these sculptures over the last week in the midst of finishing 150 slip/glaze tiles. These newest ones are getting bigger, which means up to 10"-12". They combine so much of what I love about clay...texture from rolling, pinching stretching and tearing. The juxtaposition of classic geometric forms. Spirals. Containment and volume and balance.

This face also comes from a stamp I carved. I sandwiched two together with glass beads for eyes. Back in college I used to use impressions from a cupie doll mold I made. Another oldie but goodie.

I'm trying to figure out how to get more height. This is the tallest so far. The base makes me think of Dali's melting clocks.

The disc shapes are made by draping slabs over plywood cutouts, letting them firm up and then sticking them together to create a shallow but 3-D form. Everything else is a pinch pot or little ball of clay.