How to Make Ceramic Pots

Ceramic pots are superb for growing plants, but can also be used for home decor or to hold small objects (i.e., paperclips, pencils, beads, etc.). Ceramic pots are versatile and useful, and they are very easy to make.
Even children, or those with no pottery skills, can make their own ceramic pots. They can be painted, glazed, or decorated how ever you like. Also, if you do not have a kiln, you can use polymer clays that will harden in your regular oven.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clay (pottery or polymer) Rolling pin Non-serrated knife Bowl of water (room temp. or warmer) Ruler (optional) Glaze or paint (optional) Pottery tools (optional)

1. Find a smooth, flat surface to work on that can be easily cleaned.

2. Knead a large handful of clay until it becomes softer and more pliable (usually takes a few minutes).

3. Form the clay into a slightly flattened ball, and use the rolling pin to roll it to about 1/4-inch thick (just like you would a pie crust).

4. Determine how large you want your pot to be, and cut out a rectangle of the appropriate size. For example, a 6-inches tall clay pot with a diameter of about 5-inches (at the base) will be made out of a rectangle that is 6-inches by 16-inches.
   You can find the length of the rectangle by figuring the circumference of the circular base. Simply multiply the diameter of the circle -- in this case 5-inches -- by pi (which is 3.14), and round it to an appropriate number - 16-inches.

5. After cutting out the rectangle, set the leftover clay aside. Be sure to return it to its container or cover it with a damp cloth so that it does not dry out. You will need this clay later to form the base.

6. Form the clay rectangle into a cylinder, by dipping your finger into the water and running it along the edges you want to connect. Then, smooth the edges together so that there is no seam.

7. Place one hand inside the cylinder and one hand outside the cylinder. Use your hands to shape your pot, making it slightly wider at the top than at the bottom. Of course, since these are custom made, you can choose to have a straight cylinder pot.

8. Set the cylinder aside, and form the leftover clay into a small slightly flattened ball. Roll this ball to about 1/4-inch thick.

9. Set the main piece of your pot onto the rolled out clay, and cut around the bottom, making a circle out of the rolled clay. If you are going to be using this pot for plants, cut a small hole in the center of this circle so that water can drain appropriately.

10. Dip your finger in the water and run it over the bottom edge of your pot and around the edges of the clay circle. Pinch and smooth the edges of these pieces to join them.

11. Bake your pot in a kiln or oven (depending on the type of clay you used) until it is appropriately hardened. Glaze, paint or decorate it as desired.

Resources

• Sculpey (polymer clay, tools, etc.)
• Clay World (clay, glaze, tools, etc.)