Ceramic Clay Pinch Pots

The most simple technique to realize a little animal with clay is the pinch pot.

Ceramic clay pinch pots.

But that doesn t mean you can t make sophisticated pottery forms with the pinch pot technique. A pinch pot is a simple form of hand made pottery produced from ancient times to the present. Use just your fingers first the thumb and then all the fingers to create a fish a bird a dragon a turtle a liz. Pinch pots can range from chunky substantial pieces to very thin walled and delicate pieces.

Next form the pinch pot by rolling the clay into a ball and thinning out the walls with your fingers. Pinching ceramics is usually the first thing taught in a beginning pottery class because it requires very few tools and is a great way to get familiar with the properties of clay and the process of making ceramics. Press the thumb into the center half way to the bottom. See more ideas about pinch pots clay pinch pots ceramic pinch pots.

This video shows how to make a basic pinch pot out of clay. There are different clay types that have different firing requirements and can be used in different ways. Pinch pots are created by using your hands to shape the clay. Begin by forming a smooth ball that fits in your palm fist size.

Pinch pots may be small but they allow your creativity full rein. The pinching method is to create pottery that can be ornamental or functional and has been widely employed across culture. Most pinched pottery is less than 6 inches in diameter but it can be larger. Stay tuned for the next video which shows how to add pieces to the pinch pot to make a creature.

To begin choose a clay to use.