How to Make a Coil Pot
Coil pots are simple and beautiful ceramic forms that are easy to make with a little practice. They can be made from a wide range of clays, and can be large or small. You can make the walls straight, flared, tapered or full-bellied. Before making a coil pot, plan the size and shape of the pot you want. It is best to start small, and work toward a larger vessel as you gain experience.
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Things You'll Need
- Clay
- Water
- Large work surface
- Knife or needle tool
- Sponge or metal kidney
- Cutting wire
- Hacksaw blade
- Banding wheel or Lazy Susan (optional)
- Hardwood modeling tools (optional)
Instructions
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1
Wedge the clay by kneading it against your work surface for about five minutes. This helps eliminate air bubbles. Roll the clay into a ball and cut it in half with the wire. Check for air pockets. Repeat if necessary When you achieve a solid mass, the clay is ready to use.
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2
Pull off a piece of clay and roll it between your palms until it forms a cylinder.
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3
Place the cylinder on the table and roll it beneath your palms. Do your best to keep it an even thickness; it helps to start in the middle and work out toward the ends. Keep rolling the clay until it is the thickness you want. Make a lot of coils and store them under plastic while you are working.
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4
Prepare the bottom of the vessel by creating a slab the size, shape and thickness you want. Place it on the banding wheel or Lazy Susan if you have one.
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5
Smooth a little water along one of the coils and score it by making fine lines in it with a knife or other sharp tool.
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6
Apply a little water to the the bottom of the vessel at the points where you will attach the coil. Score the areas where the coil will attach.
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7
Lay the coil carefully where you want it and gently push or wiggle it into the surface of the other piece. Join the pieces as well as you can without distorting the shape of the wall. Try to maintain an even thickness.
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8
Smooth the wall by pushing clay with your fingers from the top of the coil downward. This helps strengthen the wall. It helps to support the wall by putting your hand on the inside of the vessel while you smooth the outside.
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9
Keep adding coils until the vessel is the size and shape that you want.
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10
Score the entire wall gently with the hacksaw blade and smooth it using the sponge, metal kidney or modeling tools. Smooth the top rim into the shape you want. You may want to even it with the cutting wire or turn it upside down and tap it on the table.
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Allow the completed piece to dry. Fire and glaze it if you wish.
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Tips & Warnings
Too much water can result in a weak clay wall. If this happens, sponge off the water and wait for the clay to harden to the consistency of leather, and then you can then start working again.
References
Resources
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