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Coming soon to Cromartie - GR Pottery Forms clay drape moulds and pottery tools are designed to help ceramic artists create consistent hand-built plates, platters, bowls, trays and shallow dishes from rolled clay slabs. These reusable pottery forms are made from lightweight wood fibreboard / MDF with cut and bevelled edges, making them a practical alternative to heavier plaster drape moulds or hump moulds.
Originally developed by production potter Jeff Rottman, GR Pottery Forms offer potters a durable, reusable and budget-friendly way to create repeatable slab-built ceramic shapes. They are especially useful for pottery studios, ceramic workshops, pottery classes and home potters who want to make matching dinnerware sets, serving platters and decorative clay pieces, while still leaving plenty of room for texture, carving, underglaze decoration, surface design and glazing.
Perfect for beginners learning hand-building techniques as well as experienced ceramic makers producing consistent forms, these slim-profile clay drape moulds are easy to handle, store and use in busy studio spaces. Use them to shape clay slabs into clean, reliable forms ready for your own creative finishing touches.
Use GR Pottery Forms with rolled clay slabs to shape your work as the clay firms up. Their slim profile makes them easy to handle, store and use in busy studios, classrooms and pottery painting or hand-building workshops. Ideal for beginners learning slab building techniques as well as experienced makers producing consistent ceramic forms.
Learn how GR Pottery Forms clay drape moulds and hand-building tools can be used to create plates, platters, bowls, trays & more.
For more video guides, project ideas & instructions, visit the GR Pottery Forms YouTube channel.
The below FAQs cover how to use, care for and get the best results from your ceramic drape moulds and hand-building forms.
GR Pottery Forms are made from medium density fibreboard, often referred to as MDF. The forms are cut and bevelled to create durable, lightweight pottery moulds that can be used again and again for slab-built ceramics, hand-built plates, bowls, trays and platters.
As the forms are made from wood fibreboard, they should be allowed to dry fully between uses. A drying time of around 24 to 48 hours is usually recommended, depending on the studio environment. Store the forms somewhere dry and avoid leaving damp clay on them for too long, as this can soften the wood or encourage mould.
If marks or mould appear on the surface, wipe the form gently with a damp sponge or cloth and a little mild washing-up liquid. If the edges become rough over time, they can be lightly smoothed with sandpaper.
No release agent, sealant or special coating is normally needed. GR Pottery Forms are designed to absorb a little moisture from the clay as it firms up. Sealing the surface may reduce this natural drying action, so the forms are best used as supplied.
GR Pottery Form sizes are usually taken from the flat stamped back of the form, which is also the widest part of the form and will help determine the outer rim size of your finished piece. When choosing a size, remember to allow for the lip or rim you create, the shrinkage of your chosen clay body and your firing temperature.
The final fired size of your handmade pottery will vary depending on the clay, thickness, drying, firing schedule and glaze firing temperature used.
For many drape mould shapes, the clay slab should stay on the form until it has firmed up to a stiff leather-hard stage. This is often around 4 to 8 hours, although the timing can vary depending on the clay, slab thickness, room temperature and humidity.
The clay should lift away without bending, stretching or resistance. If the slab flexes when you remove it, it is usually too soft and may be more likely to warp.
To help reduce warping, compress your clay slab well before placing it on the form, then compress it again gently and evenly once it is draped over the mould. Avoid stretching or pulling the clay, and make sure any trapped air is worked out carefully.
Let the piece dry evenly in a still area, away from draughts, fans, heaters or strong airflow. Removing the clay too early, flipping it too soon or drying one area faster than another can all increase the chance of movement or warping.
Some GR Pottery Forms are designed to stack with compatible shapes and sizes, allowing makers to create deeper plates, shallow bowls and serving dishes. Product descriptions usually indicate whether a form is stackable and which other forms it can be used with.
When stacking forms, a small join line or seam may appear between the forms. This can often be softened or refined with a rib or suitable pottery tool once the clay is very firm leather-hard.
A foot can separate during drying or bisque firing if the piece is fired before it is fully dry, or if the foot and the main body of the piece are at different moisture levels when joined. For best results, make sure both parts are at a similar stage of dryness before attaching.
Score and dampen both joining surfaces thoroughly, attach the foot securely, then allow the whole piece to dry slowly and completely before bisque firing.
Small marks, dents or rough areas may appear with regular studio use. These usually do not stop the form from working, but if a mark becomes too noticeable it can be gently sanded smooth. Light sanding or minor surface maintenance should not affect normal use of the form.
Yes, GR Pottery Forms are suitable for beginners, pottery students, ceramic workshops and experienced makers. They are especially useful for learning slab building techniques and for creating more consistent hand-built pottery shapes without needing heavy plaster moulds.
Please note: GR Pottery Forms are designed for use with clay slabs and should be stored dry after use. Clay, slips, oxides, cutters and silicone moulds are also available at the links below.
Cromartie Hobbycraft Limited Park Hall Road Longton Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST3 5AY Tel: 01782 319435
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