Pinch Pots

HistoryHow to

Examples

A little bit of history

• Simple for of hand-made pottery produced from ancient times to the present

• 12,000 years old- first way of creating art of clay• China and Japan• Native American pottery started using pinch pot

technique– Agricultural needs (carry water, seeds, cooking)– Women were the potters (because they were

planters/gathers) – Simple design first, then used images of birds, gods, humans– Still use today

What are some characteristics do you do

Tools you will need

• Rib– Wood, rubber, plastic card

• Water bucket• Sponge• Slip– Water, clay, vinegar– Ceramic Glue

How to make a pinch pot

1. Weigh clay1. ¼ lb

2. Wedge the clay

Step 3 and 43. Roll the clay into a ball and make sure its moist

3. dip in water bucket4. Use your thumb and push down creating hole in center of clay

4. ¼ in thin on bottom

Step 5 and 6

5. Using thumb and index finger, pinch from the bottom of the clay and press upwards6. Rotate clay clay while pinching clay upwards. Have one hand supporting outside of clay while pinching. Cracks need to be fixed with slip.

Step 7 and 87. Flatten the bottom by carefully pressing it against the table

8. Smooth the pot with a rib on the outside8. move rib horizontally and then vertically,

support inside of pot. Gently smooth inside and out with a damp sponge

Step 9 and 10

9. Smooth inside of pot using a rib, supporting with other hand the outside10. Flip over pot and gently pat top of pot on table

Step 11, 12, 13

11. Flip pot over with the bottom on the table. Add slip to the top and smooth with a rib12. Flip pinch pot over. Gently tap top of pinch pot on table surface13. On bottom of pinch pot, sign first and last name ( or initial) and period number

Pinch Pot tips

• Work in a spiral from bottom to top• Use the tip of your thumb on the interior

while supporting exterior with other hand• Deep cracks should be welded immediately

using slip

Contemporary pinch pots