How to Make a Clay Pot

How to Make a Clay Pot How to Make a Clay Pot Clay pots have been in use since ancient days. Storing water, food stuff and other items was the general use of these clay pots. Though today these are not used for storage purpose, they are definitely used for planting purposes and at times also for decoration purposes.

Well, if you wonder how these pots are created, then read the below given instructions. You can make a clay pot yourself and have fun in the process.

Instructions

The first thing you need to do is to knead the clay with your hands. This kneading process will refine the material texture for easy molding. Make sure that while you fold over the clay you minimize the addition of air pockets. The best way to avoid creation of air pockets in the clay is to keep kneading the clay back and forth between your hands multiple times while maintaining it in a round shape.
The kneading process will make the clay warm and flexible, and hence workable. Now roll the kneaded clay into a long cylindrical like structure. The diameter of the roll will depend upon how thick you want your pot walls to be. Make sure the thickness is uniform through its length. The preferred measurements could be 12 to 25 inch length with 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter.
Now working from one end of the long roll, create a circle. It should resemble a coil of rope. This coil like shape will form the base of your pot. Hence, maintain the size of the coiled circle according to your estimated pot size.
Once the base is complete, you can start working on the sides of the pot. Take another long cylindrical clay roll and start coiling it on top of the pot base. Continue coiling it until the desired height is reached. Make sure to smooth the sides of the pot as you continue to coil. This is important because if you do not smooth the sides (inside or outside or both simultaneously), it is likely that the pot will collapse.
If the pot collapses during the coiling process, all you need to do is knead out the air bubbles from the clay and start anew. While making the pot sides remember that smaller base can support smaller pot and vice versa. So, carefully build the pot keeping in mind the base size.
Once the pot is built, you need to allow it to dry. For this you can either adopt air drying method or simply bake it in your oven. Prefer to read the clay manufacturer’s instructions on how to do this.
When properly dry, you can paint it and even decorate it with beads or other embellishments. The prepared clay pot will turn out to be an attractive craft work that you can keep as a show piece in your room.

Tips to Remember

To join the two pieces of clay properly make sure they are of the same consistency (wetness). Score/scratch each side (while coiling) and dampen it with water or clay slurry and repeat the process.
Prefer smoothing the outside of your pot before baking/drying because it will give a nicer look to the finished product..

It’s so easy and fun to make clay pots. So, get ready to get messy and creative!