Pottery is one of the most ancient crafts and dates back thousands of years to prehistoric eating and drinking vessels. The clay used in ceramics is a type of earth, available across the world, which when moist is easy to shape and when exposed to heat becomes hard and waterproof. It can be purchased from craft shops and suppliers, as can a range of tools used to work with clay. This tutorial briefly describes some of the techniques used to create handmade ceramic goods. As you become used to using clay you will begin to get a better feel of ways in which you can use it to produce both practical and ornamental pieces of work.
Pinch
To create a bowl first push your thumb into a ball of clay and then pinch the walls. By rotating the piece as you pinch it you should be able to produce an even thickness. Create a flat base by gently patting the bottom of the bowl.
Coil
Roll clay on a smooth surface, applying even pressure. When you have a number of coils roughly the thickness of a pencil, place them on top of each other. Press the clay together from the inside. Allow the piece to dry slowly to avoid cracking.
Slab
Work on a smooth flat surface, covered with cloth or newspaper. Spread out the clay by patting and rolling it to an even thickness. Cut out the bottom and sides of the planned object and leave them to dry for about an hour. Then using a sharp pencil scratch a crosswork pattern where the edges will meet. Bring the edges of the piece together, using clay with a custard like consistency to hold them in place. Using a coil in the corners will increase strength.
