The wet clay is cut into a square or rectangle shape of required size using a stencil or measuring scale. Coils of clay are rolled out and used as outlines of these plaques. This is the base on which the image of the subject is carefully hand-crafted.
Nine incarnations of Durga, Dashavataras, Nav grihas, Shrinathji, Gauri nritya (religious dance from southern Mewar), scenes from Ramayana and everyday village life make for the more popular depictions in Molela clay craft. Various parts of these forms like face, body, limbs etc. are created using a combination of basic clay work techniques - squeezing, pinching and coiling. These are then attached one after the other on the wet, soft base of clay in crude form by keeping one hand under (inside). This prevents them from collapsing under their own weight. The process has to be halted at intervals to allow the clay to keep drying.
When the figures get a firm shape, ornaments, eyes and other details are added. This detailed line work is done using a 'badli' (small flat chisel-like instrument made of metal). Both ends of the baldi are used, one end for drawing lines and patterns and the other end for making holes. As many areas as possible are left open (and hollow) to encourage air circulation. This also ensures that the plaque is not bulky. Once the forms are finely detailed out, the plaques are left to dry for several days before they are fired.
