Ceramicist Sherry Schalm<\/strong> confirms it. \u201cThe terminology that goes with ceramics is exactly the same as baking,\u201d she says from her Calgary studio. \u201cIt\u2019s clay recipes and glaze recipes.\u201d And yes, that roller that\u2019s sitting on her work bench does the job of a pasta maker.<\/p>\n

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Sherry Schalm in her Calgary studio<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI can change the depth according to the thickness of the slab I\u2019m using and it just rolls out,\u201d she says of the machine that spits out sheets of clay. She then cuts into the dough-like material \u2013freehand – to create a series of shapes – dots, slots and hoops before firing them in the kiln. Just like making cookies. Sort of.<\/p>\n

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Scoring the clay in different shapes and sizes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schalm manufactures a line of six by six inch decorative wall tiles in various shapes and colours – 24 colours at last count – designed to be grouped together to form patterns on an interior wall. The lightweight tiles are held in place with pins and double-sided tape.<\/p>\n

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Creating hoops<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always enjoyed making and assembling things,\u201d says Schalm. She says it was her cartography class at the University of Lethbridge that introduced her to patterns and layers. Using a scribe and sheets of multi-coloured acetate, she learned how to give an aerial photograph a three dimensional effect using colours to indicate different elevations. Red indicated one elevation, green another,etc.<\/p>\n

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Grouped hoops on the wall<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI think that was a natural extension into ceramics\u201d, she says of her unorthodox entry into the 3D world. She then transferred to the Nova Scotia School of Art and Design<\/a>\u00a0to continue her studies.<\/p>\n

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Glazed hoops<\/strong><\/p>\n

No cups or vases for the transplanted Albertan though. \u201cI could never throw,\u201d she says. \u201cIt made me motion sick. I had to find another way other than at the potter\u2019s wheel.\u201d Presto, the idea of extruding slabs of cookie dough-like clay was born.<\/p>\n

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The Amoeba Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Wide shot of the Amoeba Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schalm cuts each tile by hand so no two tiles are exactly the same. She says dots and slots are the most popular shapes. Off-white is the most popular colour although tangerine is a favourite too.<\/p>\n

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The Dot Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Dots spread out on the wall<\/strong><\/p>\n

“There\u2019s an immediacy that comes with the method of making them,\u201d she says. \u201cEach one is hand cut or, in the case of the amoebas series, hand pressed. There\u2019s a connection between whoever\u2019s got them on their wall and the maker, a sense of where they come from. It\u2019s a very basic material and it\u2019s a beautiful, permanent surface.”<\/p>\n

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The Slot Series paired with dots<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Slots grouped together<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Grouped slots in a living room setting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schalm\u2019s business is evenly split between interior designers looking to spruce up an interior lobby and homeowners anxious to add a little zip to their living quarters. The purchase price includes a consultation with the artist and a template that suggests placement. Schalm\u2019s wall tiles are available in selected stores across western Canada and\u00a0through her website.<\/p>\n

+ Tactile Design<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ceramicist Sherry Schalm confirms it. \u201cThe terminology that goes with ceramics is exactly the same as baking,\u201d she says from her Calgary studio. \u201cIt\u2019s clay recipes and glaze recipes.\u201d And yes, that roller that\u2019s sitting on her work bench does the job of a pasta maker. Sherry Schalm in her Calgary studio \u201cI can change […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":41092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[88],"tags":[7155,7158,7157,6954,7156],"yoast_head":"\n