Pot Making Techniques for Beginners

1. This is made specially for beginners.Watch the whole series before starting the work.Have also tools and clay prepared first.Enjoy it

2. History. • The proper way to form (as they did in the past ) this pot is to start with the edge and then make the body, when the edge is firm after a little while. • This is a bit difficult for beginners. Here I work on the body first and make the edge last. • You have to be aware, these pots are fragile! • Earlier ( In history 1500 – 1900 ) one thought it was fine if a pot lasted a whole year. The next time you attended a fair, you just bought a new one.

3. Stjertpotte. ( Pot with a handle ) • 1750 gram sandmixed clay ( 20 – 25 % sand + 75 – 80 % clay) enough for 6 pots. • You have to knead the clay properly 4 – 5 times.

4. The tools needed. • 2 or 3 people can share the tools while working. • Don’t work too fast or the quality of the pot will be poor.

5. The clay is formed in one roll and sliced into 6 equal parts.

6. Press your thumbs down in the center and pinch carefully – many times – all the way around the pot. • Don’t use the fingertips but the broad part of the fingers.

7. Use the four ”long” fingers pressing on the outside, while the pot is ”hanging” on your thumb. • The aim is to form half a sphere ( form like half a ball ).

8. Slowly the ”wall” is getting thinner. • You have to do it many times, before it is thin like here.

9. With the spoon you now press against your rounded hand holding the pot.

10. Like this you bend the edge gently against the center. • While you are pressing move your hands a bit against each other. • Remember – many times – all the way around.

11. Using the three first fingers you now for like a ditch. • This is the best way to use the wet cloth. • Don’t make it too wet!

12. Have the unused part of the cloth placed between your last two fingers.

13. Now the position of the fingers is ok. • For the wet cloth you use slip ( slip = a creamlike mixture of clay +water )

14. The edge is now nice. Even thickness and same hight all around. • The halfsphere is now flat underneath, but that’s ok. • Don’t bend the edge out yet.

15. After all the moisture that has been added - Slip – The pots need time to get firm. • Plain water is NOT to be used.

16. After a little time. • The outside i made smooth with a knife.

17. Smooth all your fingerprints away. • Use the knife as when you are using it for butter.

18. Using the spoon you make the surface of the pot inside smooth.

19. Now switch to a bigger spoon, and we almost have half a sphere.

20. The next thing to do is to create a fine edge.

21. Make the edge standing right up in the air. • If the clay gets too dry – use the wet cloth right away. • Cracks on the edge are difficult to mend.

22. Bend the edge to 45 degrees. • Here you use the first three fingers of each hand.

23. The cloth is ready, place it like before. • Soon you have done a fine edge.

24. Gently you bend a part of the edge for pouring the melted butter. ( This pot were used for melted butter to the potatoes ) • Time for a pause – Wait a while again.

25. It’s nice outside on a sunny summerday. • But mind the wind and especially the sun. • You have to be VERY skilled not to get serious problems otherwise. • Always have some plastic at hand to cover the pot if you walk away and don’t want the pot to get firm/dry.

26. Here you see some small cracks. • Use a bit of your slip and the knife to close these, but be careful to do it properly.

27. A nice bottom is made using the spoon. • Now you are going to put a handle on the pot.

28. A roll of clay is compressed in one end and a pencil is gently put through.

29. Turn the pencil while doing this and only allow the tip of the pencil to get through.

30. Holding the pencil you now carefully roll a bit.

31. The handle is formed like this. • The outer part is made a bit more wide at the edge.

32. On the upper part of the handle you place an ornament like this.

33. Use slip for placing the handle at the pot.

34. Make sure to get pot and handle i a good connection – use the knife. • If the work isn’t done properly the handle is going to crack in the fireing.

35. Use small and many movements placing the handle.

36. Take a look – check for cracks.

37. For the feet. • Three pieces are cut.

38. Pinch the form

39. Roll a bit.

40. Where do we put them? • The tradition is always to place one foot under the handle.

41. When the feet are placed and have had a time to get firm… • They are cut so it appears they have 5 sides. • This tradition is placed near the town Varde in Westjutland, Denmark.

42. This form were used in many different sizes. • Behind the -stjertpotter- you can see some other small pots.

43. Inside the pot you now use the spoon to take clay away until you can feel it through the thin ”claywall” • Concentrate!! • Do you make your way through the clay it’s impossible to rescue the pot!!

44. When the pots are firm like leather, you find a smooth and hard thing to use for drawing the ornaments • Spiral – oval – circle- cross were used. • A visit to museums might be an good idea.

45. Advice? - Help? • Send an e-mail, if you have any trouble or do you want these instructions on a CD? oleflemming@yahoo.dk • GOOD LUCK