HANDBUILDING
PINCH
Pinch pots are made by using your hands and fingers to shape the clay.
- Form a ball about the size of your palm.
- Press your thumb into the center, a little more than halfway.
- Press and pinch the walls up and evenly with one hand, rotate your pot with the other hand as you go.
COIL
Coil pots are made by attaching and pressing coils of clay together.
- Start with a hot dog shape and use your entire hand to roil the clay into even coils (ropes), about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
- Slip and score coils together, starting with a slab or pinched base.
- Blend the inside, outside is optional.
SLAB
Create with slabs by rolling out clay to an even thickness, then cutting shapes to join together.
- Using guides, roll out clay evenly in between canvas.
- Cut desired shapes, smooth both sides and handle them without bending.
- Slip and score pieces together at plastic or leather hard stage.
- Attach a small coil at the joints inside and smooth.
wedge
A kneading action that combines the clay in a uniform consistency, removes air bubbles and prepares the clay for optimal use.
- Ram's Head - Kneading by using both hands doing the same motion, good for small amounts of clay
- Spiral - Creates a cone shape by kneading with each hand doing a different movement, good for small to large amounts of clay.
- Stack & Slam - Cutting a lump of clay in half and "slamming" the pieces "stacked" together repeatedly.