How to Make Clay Pinch Pots

If your children like to play sculpt with clay or make their own crafts, try these easy directions for making clay pinch pots. Children can use them to store trinkets or decorate a room. No kiln is needed if you use self hardening clay.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Self hardening clay.

1. Purchase self hardening clay from a craft and hobby store. Most stores only sell the clay in multi pound blocks, but it is inexpensive and will last if stored properly.

2. Pinch off a portion of self hardening clay about the size of a small apple.

3. Separate about a third of it and set aside.

4. Roll the remaining clay into a ball. Poke a hole in the center with your thumb.

5. Keep the thumb in the hole while rotating the clay. Gently pinch the sides until it makes a bowl shape.

6. Smooth the sides by gently scraping and pressing the sides with a spoon or popsicle stick.

7. To make the lid, roll the remaining clay into a ball and gently flatten. Press into a mold to create a 3D design or leave flat. Shape the lid until it is the approximate size of the pinch pot.

8. Leave the pinch pot and lid in a sunny window for 24 hours to dry. After it is dry, you can either leave it as is or paint with watercolors.

[kittycooks]

on 9/20/2009 Oh my, what kid doesn't like clay! Great suggestion to use self hardening clay.