Project of the Week - Decorative Pinch Pots

Materials:

1. 1 tennis ball size lump of air dry clay
2. water bowls
3. newsprint to cover tables
4. texturing items (tools and things found in nature) for imprinting patterns


Make a ball shape out of your lump of clay. Once the ball is smooth and round, stick your thumb into the center of the ball of clay, make sure you don't go all the way through the bottom of the ball. Keeping your thumb in the clay ball begin to create a pinching motion with your hands while turning the pot, pinching from the bottom while continuing to rotate. This can take some practice, just re-shape your clay into a ball until you create a hollow bowl.

If the edges of your clay begin to crack while you are working with it, wet your fingertips in the water and work it into the cracks, smoothing them out. Just a few drops only, you don't want your clay to be soaking wet.

The goal with the pinch pot is to create a uniform thickness. Tap the bottom of the bowl on the table to get a flat bottom.

Once the bowl is formed try out some texturing tools to add patterns, lines and designs.

Let the pots dry overnight.

Use markers or paints (watercolor or acrylic), allow the textures to come through.

Enjoy!