Pinch Pots

1. Pinch Pots • Gently tap piece of clay on table to make it round. • Do not SMACK or SLAM clay onto table. • Use wet fingers to smooth out any cracks that appear. Created by T. Kyle 2008

2. “Quack like Duck” • Hold rounded clay in the hand you write with. • With your other hand bring your fingers and thumb together like you are pretending to “Quack like a Duck”. Created by T. Kyle 2008

3. Duck Mouthfuls • With your writing hand holding the clay and using the thumb of your “Quacking” hand, very gently push into the middle of the rounded clay. • The “Quacking’ hands fingers are straight and on the outside of the clay. • Think of the caly as the duck trying to carefully fill up its mouth with the clay walls. Created by T. Kyle 2008

4. Pinch and Twist • After your thumb has very gently pushed into the middle of the rounded clay and your fingers are forming the sides twist your wrist so that the clay moves in your hand slightly. • Continue this pinch and twist motion without forcing the clay. • Smooth out any cracks as they appear with your fingers. Created by T. Kyle 2008

5. Two Thumbs Down • Once the hole in the middle of your clay is big enough to easily fit both of your thumbs, place clay on paper on top of desk. • Use both thumbs and continue the pinch and twist motion. Created by T. Kyle 2008

6. Bowl Good/Vase Bad • If your Pinch Pot is looking like a vase not a bowl gently begin to tap onto table to help spread out the clay. • Continue to pinch and twist, but make sure your fingers are straight and angled out instead of cupping inward. Created by T. Kyle 2008

7. Slow and Steady Makes Bowls • Be very gentle and patient when making the bowl. Eespecially when tapping the pot onto the table. • Keep smoothing out any cracks with your fingers • Continue to pinch and twist keeping all of the sides even until the sides and bottom are between 1/2” to 1/4” in thickness Created by T. Kyle 2008

8. Smooth and Carve • Smooth out the top edge/rim of the bowl • Using a toothpick, carve your first initial and last name plus the first initial of your homeroom teacher’s last name into the bottom of your pot. • I.e. J Smith F, J Smith P, J Smith S or J Smith M Created by T. Kyle 2008

9. Texture • Once your bowl is complete using fabric or tools you can add texture to the inside and outside of your bowl. • Gently push objects or shapes into your soft clay bowl before it begins to dry. • Deeper impressions will look better once glaze has been applied. Created by T. Kyle 2008

10. Carving • You can add to the pushed in texture or decorate the surface of your bowl by carving into the bowls surface using a toothpick, popsicle stick, or other tool. • Be careful to not push your bowl out of shape, cause cracking, or collapse your bowl. Created by T. Kyle 2008

11. Score and Slip • You can add clay details to your bowl but first you must score the surface of both the clay piece you are adding and your bowl. Using a tool gently score the surface by carefully carving or roughing up surface texture. • Scored pieces can be then be glued together by using slip. • Once you have scored and slipped a piece of clay onto your bowl, use your fingers to push both surfaces together so that you can no longer see a break or line in between the two pieces. Created by T. Kyle 2008

12. Clean Up • Put bowl on side/back shelf as requested. • Put tools back into containers on art cart. • Pick up and throw into garbage any clay left on tables, chairs or floor. • Wipe up all spills. • Wash down tables and chairs using water and a sponge, dry with paper towels. • Wash hands well. Created by T. Kyle 2008