So, in this particular case I took and made a bowl and smoothed the OUTSIDE - which is pretty easy as the outside is exposed and the ball supports it so it doesn't deform. That was then bisque fired, and voila, a form! Now all I have to do is cut out my clay, drape it over the bisqued form, and smooth the outside. The inside is already smooth because the clay is pressed against a smooth form. The bisqued clay draws some moisture out of the slab so it sets up pretty quickly.
I did a batch of plate/bowls so I could get an estimate of how long it would take, so I'll be able to accurately calculate price, and these will work out in a nice sellable range! The test batch have a texture stamped into the outside and the very lip, so I will use terra sigillata on the outside and an interesting glaze on the inside. Later I'll do a batch and lay a leaf over the form so there will be an imprint in the finished plate! They'll be glazed with a transparent glaze to pop the leaf. It should be fun!
Which reminds me, its time to try them out!