How to Make a Pinch Pot

A pinch pot is a simple bowl made by pinching the clay into shape. It is one of the first methods people used to make pottery. Making a pinch pot is a good way to familiarize yourself with the properties of clay and become comfortable making pottery using other methods.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clay

1. Knead the clay on a smooth surface to get rid of air bubbles. Air bubbles expand when heated and will cause your pot to explode when it's being fired. Kneading the clay also evens out its consistency. Knead it until it is smooth.

2. Form a ball with the clay about the size of a tennis ball.

3. Use your thumb to make a hole in the center of the ball. Stop about a quarter of an inch from the bottom of the ball.

4. Use your thumb and forefinger and start to pinch. Pinch the clay evenly using the other hand to rotate your ball of clay as you pinch. As the opening increases in size and the walls thin, your pot will begin to take shape.

5. Pinch evenly around and up the walls until the walls are the desired thickness--about a quarter of an inch.

6. Flatten the bottom of your pot on the table and use pottery tools to smooth out the indentations your fingers made in the walls, if desired.

7. Let your pot dry. Glaze and fire it. If you don't have access to a kiln, you can pit fire it. Or you can simple paint it once it's dried.

Tips & Warnings

• When your pot is leather hard you can carve designs into it.

Resources

• Pinch pots at JHPottery