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How To Make A Pinch Pot

5 from 2 votes
Follow these easy steps to learn how to make pinch pot with children. Pinch pots are awesome as a stand-alone art project or as a sculptural base for more advanced clay builds. Pinch pots are the perfect beginner clay lesson.
Print Tutorial
hands in different stages of making clay pinch pot.
Prep:5 minutes
Creating:10 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes

Equipment

  • Kiln
  • Small container of water
  • Work surface
  • Skewer or Needle Tool to write your name on small bowls

Supplies

  • White Art Clay you can also use air dry clay
  • Glazes or Paints

Instructions

  • Start with a small amount of clay that can fit inside the palm of your hand or of a child's hand.
  • Roll into a ball of clay.
  • Push one hole with your thumbs as far as they can in the center of the ball. Make sure to push the thumb to the bottom of the ball without going all the way through. Don’t worry if isn't perfect.
  • Rotate hands to pinch around the edge and make sure not to make walls too thin. Kids can rotate the pinch pot with two hands. Hold index fingers and thumbs like they are driving a car. You do not want to pull on the walls and end up with a plate.
  • Make the rim of the pot even by turning the clay pot over on a flat surface. Lightly tap the rim.
  • An optional step is to use clay tools to trim the excess off.
  • Smooth out any bumps with fingers or even a small kidney clay tool.
  • Use one finger dipped in water to help smooth clay by rubbing water (even a damp sponge) on cracks in the outer and inner surface
  • .Flip the pinch pot over and write your name on the project. 
  • Let your project fully dry and run a bisque fire in your kiln.
  • Add glaze or paint to fired pinch pot.

Notes

    • Don’t over-touch the clay. This can be difficult when kids want things to turn out perfectly. However, your hands will suck out the moisture as you (or kids) are working. 
    • Encourage young children to build and then leave it alone. This can be difficult for a youngster, but less is more sometimes.
    • If your clay is really wet and seems a little floppy, you can use a hair dryer to help firm the walls. 
    • The shape of the pot will be determined by how kids hold their hands.
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Author: Erin
Cost: Less than $5