Sherri's favorite clay sculpting tool used for:
• Blending seams - Use the side of the tool to blend clay seams together. The shaper has the perfect amount of firmness to push and pull the clay to blend it easily.
• Textures - Both ends of the tool give you a variety of textures you can apply to the clay. By creating a stippled pattern with the tool you can create a hammered metal look.
• Sculpting - Form and shape the clay with both ends of the tool. You can use the tool to form details that are smaller than you could form with your fingers alone.
• Making Loops - The tapered end is a perfect mandrel to form clay loops. Roll a snake of clay and wrap it around the tip, since the tip is tapered or graduated you have a range of sizes to make the loops with.
• Setting stones - Use the pointed end to make depressions in the clay for setting stones. Push the tapered end into the clay before placing the stone; this makes it easier to nest the stone in place.
• Making slip - The tool is perfect for mixing slip, use either end. Start with a little water and slowly mix it into the clay using the tool to incorporate the water into the clay to form a soft paste. Roll the excess clay off of the tool after making the slip.
• Applying slip-The clay shaper works better than a brush for applying slip to the clay, after applying the slip use the tool to blend the slip.
• Straight edges - The cup round (flat) end of the tool is good to press or form straight bezel walls by pushing a strip of clay to the side of a base piece.
• Making attachments - Use the tool to lift small elements and to tack and attach them to another piece of clay.
• Repairs - Apply fresh clay or slip smoothing it into cracks using the shaper on either un-fired or fired clay.