HOW TO MAKE A PINCH POT

Summary

In this instructional video, the host teaches the art of creating a pinch pot using a one-pound chunk of clay. The process involves forming a round ball, puncturing it without breaking the base, and pinching it into shape. The host demonstrates how to use the table surface for support and alternate hands for stability. Techniques for thinning walls, fixing base issues, and trimming the rim are shared. The video also covers potential issues, like asymmetry, and solutions like re-wedging the clay. Finally, the host adds a foot ring and handle to enhance the pot's aesthetics.

Takeaways

• 🤲 Start with a one-pound wedged clay and shape it into a round ball.
• 👇 Use your thumb to create a hole in the center without breaking through the base.
• 🔄 Pinch the clay from the inside, alternating top to bottom and vice versa, to thin the walls.
• 👎 Utilize the table surface to support the pot's side profile while pinching to maintain shape.
• 🚫 Avoid aggressive handling to prevent misshapen pots.
• 💧 Add water to the rim if it cracks, and gently compress to fuse clay platelets.
• ✂️ Trim the rim with a steady hand using a needle tool or scalpel.
• 🖋️ Smooth the rim with a sponge or chamois after trimming.
• 🔢 Mark the bottom of the pot with your name and number after day one.
• 🔄 If the pot shape is unsatisfactory, re-wedge the clay and start again.
• 🔧 Use a trimming stick or rib tool to smooth flat surfaces or create squared edges.
• 🔗 Attach a foot ring by slipping and scoring to ensure a strong bond with the pot.
• 🎨 Add a handle for aesthetics, using the same slipping and scoring technique.

Q & A

What is the first step in making a pinch pot according to the script?

The first step is to wedge out a one-pound chunk of clay and shape it into a perfectly round ball.

How do you start forming the pinch pot after making a ball of clay?

You start by puncturing the ball of clay with your thumb without perforating the base.

What is the purpose of pinching the clay from the bottom to the top and vice versa?

Pinching the clay in this manner thins out the walls of the pot and helps in shaping it.

Why is it important to use the table surface while pinching the pot?

Using the table surface provides support to the side profile of the pinch pot, keeping it sturdy and preventing it from flaring out too wide.

What is the basic pinching motion described in the script?

The basic pinching motion involves alternating hands to support the pinch pot while pinching with the other, allowing for a balanced and even shaping.

Why is it crucial to avoid thick walls when making a pinch pot?

Thick walls would result in a heavy object, which is not desired for a functional utilitarian object like a door stopper.

How can one fix the bottom of the pinch pot if it becomes too conical?

The bottom can be fixed by tapping it on the table or adding a foot ring to achieve the desired shape.

What should you do if the rim of the pinch pot cracks while making it?

Add a little bit of water to the rim and smooth it out to prevent further cracking.

Why is it necessary to write your name and number on the bottom of the pinch pot?

It helps to identify the maker of the pinch pot and prevents confusion with others' work.

What is the ideal condition of the clay on day one before it is bagged?

The clay should be in a leather-hard state, which means it is no longer plastic and can withstand pressure without bending or flexing much.

How can one ensure that the clay pieces stick together when adding a foot ring or handle?

Slip and score the surfaces where the clay pieces meet to allow the platelets to interlock and use slip as a bonding agent.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to Making a Pinch Pot

The video begins by explaining how to make a pinch pot. The instructor emphasizes that you should have already prepared a one-pound ball of clay by wedging it. Then, the process of shaping the clay begins by slapping it into a perfectly round ball. The instructor advises using your thumb to puncture the clay without breaking the base. Pinching motions are described, which thin out the walls of the pot from top to bottom, allowing it to expand. Using a table surface helps maintain the pot's shape and prevent it from flaring too wide. The instructor alternates hands to support the clay while pinching, explaining that this helps control the pot's thickness. The goal is to avoid making the pot too thick or heavy.

05:00

🧑‍🎨 Refining the Shape of the Pinch Pot

The instructor focuses on areas where the clay remains thick, specifically at the base of the pinch pot. They recommend supporting the pot with your hand and compressing the bottom to form a conical shape. If the base needs adjustments, tapping it on the table or adding a foot ring is suggested. The video then describes thinning out the walls to the desired thickness and shaping the pot. If cracks form on the rim, adding a small amount of water can help smooth them out. The instructor also suggests compressing the rim to ensure the clay fuses properly and to prevent future cracks.

🔪 Trimming and Leveling the Rim

Now, the instructor demonstrates how to trim the rim of the pinch pot. The pot is centered on a banding or kick wheel, and a needle tool or scalpel is used to draw a line at the top for trimming. After cutting away the excess clay, the rim is smoothed out using a sponge or chamois. The instructor recommends turning the pot upside down and writing your name and number on the bottom to avoid confusion. The pinch pot is then placed in a plastic bag without spraying water and stored on a wear board. The instructor discusses common mistakes like the pot becoming too wide or asymmetrical and offers tips for re-wedging the clay and restarting if necessary.

🖌️ Altering the Shape of the Pinch Pot

The video moves on to altering the form of the pinch pot. By applying pressure to specific areas, the instructor demonstrates how to create a square shape by pinching the corners and pushing the inside with a finger. A paddle can help shape the sides, and tools like a trimming stick or flat rib tool smooth out the surfaces. These techniques require patience, but the instructor assures that they lead to the desired form. By Day 2, the pinch pot should be leather-hard, meaning it is firm but not too flexible, and ready for further refinements.

🧽 Smoothing and Detailing the Pinch Pot

To smooth the pinch pot, the instructor uses a serrated metal rib to score the surface, eliminating finger marks and indentations. This rough surface is then smoothed out with a damp sponge, and the pot is burnished with the back of a rib or a spoon to achieve a polished look. The pot is checked for symmetry by spinning it on the banding wheel, ensuring a balanced and even shape.

🏺 Adding a Foot Ring and Handle

The final steps involve adding a foot ring and an optional handle to the pinch pot. The foot ring is created by rolling a small coil of clay and attaching it to the bottom of the pot using the slip-and-score technique. This ensures the ring adheres properly to the pot. After pinching and smoothing the ring, the instructor squares the area where it is attached and smooths it out. A handle is then added to enhance the form of the pot, though it is more for aesthetic purposes than utility. The same slip-and-score technique is used to attach the handle securely.

👏 Final Thoughts and Closing

The instructor wraps up the demonstration by summarizing the steps involved in making a pinch pot. From shaping and thinning the walls to adding a foot ring and handle, the process is described in detail. The video ends with the finished pinch pot, ready for further finishing steps, such as glazing or firing. The instructor thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to practice the techniques demonstrated.

Keywords

💡Pinch pot

A pinch pot is a type of pottery made by pinching a ball of clay between the thumb and fingers to create a hollow vessel. It's a fundamental technique in pottery that does not require a potter's wheel. In the video, the instructor demonstrates how to make a pinch pot by starting with a round ball of clay and gradually thinning the walls to create a functional object. The pinch pot serves as the central theme of the video, guiding viewers through the process of creating one.

💡Wedge

Wedge refers to the process of kneading a chunk of clay to remove air bubbles and ensure uniform consistency. This is a crucial step before starting to shape the clay. In the script, it's mentioned that viewers should have already wedged a one-pound chunk of clay, indicating the importance of this preparatory step for making a pinch pot.

💡Puncture

To puncture the clay means to create an opening by pressing a tool or, in this case, a thumb, into the clay. The script instructs to puncture the ball of clay without perforating the base, which is essential for the pinch pot's structure. This step initiates the transformation of the clay ball into a pot form.

💡Profile

In pottery, profile refers to the side view of a pot or vessel. The script mentions looking at the inside profile as the clay is pinched, which helps in understanding how the pot's walls are thinning and how the shape is evolving. This term is important for visualizing the three-dimensional form of the pinch pot.

💡Flaring

Flaring in pottery describes the outward expansion of the pot's walls near the rim. The script warns against flaring out too wide, as it can affect the final shape and function of the pinch pot. Controlling the flare is essential for achieving the desired form.

💡Bending wheel

A bending wheel is a type of pottery wheel that can be used to shape and thin the walls of a pot. Although the script mentions that a wheel would be preferable, it also provides an alternative method for those who do not have access to one, emphasizing the accessibility of pinch pot making.

💡Pliable

Pliable refers to the malleable state of clay that is easy to shape. The script advises working the clay back to a pliable state if the pinch pot is not forming correctly, highlighting the forgiving nature of clay and the opportunity for corrections during the process.

💡Rim

The rim is the edge or uppermost part of a pot's opening. The script provides instructions on how to trim and smooth the rim to prevent cracking, which is a common issue when the clay dries. Properly managing the rim is crucial for the pot's integrity and appearance.

💡Leather hard

Leather hard is a stage in the drying process of clay where it is no longer plastic but still has some flexibility. The script instructs checking if the pinch pot is leather hard before proceeding with further shaping, indicating a critical stage in the pottery process where the clay can withstand more pressure without deforming.

💡Foot ring

A foot ring is a decorative or functional element added to the base of a pot to elevate it from the surface and protect the bottom. The script describes how to add an elaborate foot ring to the pinch pot, which not only serves a practical purpose but also enhances the pot's aesthetic appeal.

💡Handle

A handle is an attachment to a pot or vessel that allows for easy carrying or pouring. In the script, the instructor adds a handle to the pinch pot, noting that while it may not be necessary for utility, it can improve the pot's aesthetic. This step demonstrates the balance between form and function in pottery.

Highlights

Start by wedging a one-pound chunk of clay and forming it into a perfectly round ball.

Use your thumb to puncture the center of the clay, being careful not to perforate the base.

Pinch the clay from the bottom to the top to thin it out while widening the mouth of the pot.

Use two thumbs inside the pot to apply pressure as you continue shaping.

Support the side of the pinch pot using the table surface to prevent it from flaring out too wide.

For thick clay at the base, compress it using the palm and fingers to create a cone shape.

To fix cracks on the rim, add a little water and smooth it out by gently compressing the rim.

Center the pot on a wheel, then trim the rim with a needle tool to make it level.

If the pot is asymmetrical or flares out too wide, wedge and reshape the clay until it's pliable.

Square off the pot's shape by pinching the corners and applying pressure to the sides.

Smooth out the surface of the pot by scoring it and using a dampened sponge in a waxing motion.

Check for symmetry by spinning the pot on the wheel after smoothing and shaping it.

Add a foot ring to the bottom by slipping and scoring a coil of clay to attach it.

Slip and score the handle to the side profile of the pot for added aesthetic appeal.

Burnish the surface with a rib or spoon to achieve a smooth, seamless finish.

Transcripts

hey folks today I'm gonna teach you how

to make a pinch pot by now you should

have already wedged out a one-pound

chunk of clay

now you're gonna slap and wat it into a

perfectly round ball next take your

thumb and puncture down into the ball of

clay but be careful not to perforate the

base you're gonna need that if we look

at the inside profile this is what you

would see as I pinch the clay from the

bottom to the top and top to bottom it's

going to eventually thin out as I pinch

around the inside with one hand the

mouth will get wider and I'll be able to

fit two thumbs on the inside as I apply

pinching pressure from top to bottom and

bottom to top the pot will expand and

eventually become thinner I want you to

notice how I'm using the table surface

to support the side profile of the pinch

pot this allows me to keep it sturdy as

I pinch and prevents it from flaring out

too wide the bending wheel would be

preferable here but it's likely that not

everyone will be able to use one at the

same time so this is an easy

accomodation this is the basic pinching

motion that I'm using when I'm pinching

the pinch pots notice that I'm

alternating my hands as I'm pinching

this allows me to support the pinch pot

with one hand while I'm pinching with

the other and vice versa if I look at a

side profile of the stage that I'm at

right now you can see the walls are

starting to thin out then this is kind

of the end goal here because if the

walls are thick we're gonna end up with

a heavy object and we don't want a door

stopper we want a fully functional

utilitarian object

so down at the very bottom of the pinch

pot there's some thick clay that I

couldn't quite reach with my thumbs

so I'm supporting the base of the pinch

pot with the palm of my hand and a

cup-like motion and just kind of

compressing down with my fingers of my

right hand this is gonna kind of make

the pinch pot conical or cone-shaped

down at the very bottom but that can be

pretty easily fixed by tapping the base

on the table or adding a foot ring

[Music]

all right now you can see the walls are

adequately thinned out so now I can take

this time and shape my pinch pot trim

the rim and kind of smooth out the

surface so that it looks a lot nicer if

while you're making your pinch pot

you're noticing the rim cracking simply

just add a little bit of water to the

rim and smooth it out just a dab will do

it also be a good idea to kind of gently

compress down on the rim and that'll

really make sure that the clay platelets

fuse together so that you can avoid more

cracking in the future so now I'm going

to trim the rim of the pinch pot level

what you're going to need to do first is

Center the pinch pot on the banding

wheel or a kick wheel or any wheel for

that matter and with a needle tool or a

scalpel draw a line with a steady hand

at the very top where you intend to cut

you might need to make a couple pass

throughs but gently lift off the excess

amount that has been cut away and then

with a sponge or a chamois just smooth

out the rim after you're finished on day

one you're gonna want to turn your pinch

pot upside down and scrub your name and

pair your number on the bottom of the

pinch pot this is so you don't confuse

it with anyone elses gently put it into

a plastic bag no need to spray it at

this point and cover it up completely

set it on a wear board and then gently

slide it into your cubby space so since

we're still on the topic of day one

let's talk about a couple of things that

could go wrong let's say your pinch pot

isn't looking much like a pot at all

let's say that it's flaring out too wide

or it's extremely asymmetrical what you

could do is take your clay and dunk it

back into the water bucket that's at

your table smash it in between your

fingers multiple times you can even try

and Reeve wedge it but ultimately just

work it back to the normal pliable

plastic consistency of the clay that you

originally got out of the bin once

that's done the clay is ready to use

again

also be careful with the way that you

handle your pinch pot you don't want to

aggressively tap it on the table drop it

or miss handle it in any way that miss

shapes the overall form otherwise that

might likely result in and restart and

that's never fun if I'm wanting to alter

the form in any way that's going to come

from the pressure that I put in certain

areas of the pinch pots so the square

that I'm making right here I've pinched

the corners and I'm kind of pushing up

against the inside base or the wall

excuse me with a finger so pressure

counter pressure once I've pinched to

make that kind of squared off shape then

I'm gonna take a petal and kind of just

paddle up the sides to assist with

getting that squared off form also a

trimming stick or a flat rib tool will

help kind of smooth out the flat

surfaces or the squared off sides that

I'm trying to achieve takes a lot of

work to get but eventually it all comes

through alrighty so on day 2 remove your

pinch pot from the bag and check to make

sure it's leather hard other hard is

when the clay is no longer plastic and

durable enough to withstand the pressure

you put on it it shouldn't bend or flex

very much at all so what I'm doing right

here and one of the ironies of working

with clay is that you have to sometimes

rough up the surface in order to smooth

it out

that's very applicable in this situation

if I want to eliminate my finger marks

and indentations I need to score the

surface with a serrated metal rib likely

multiple times to achieve the desired

effect then I need to smooth out the

surface in a waxing motion with a

dampened sponge yes this will make the

surface a little groggy but then I can

burnish it down with the flat side of

the rib or the backside of a spoon

alrighty so it looks like I'm done here

just gonna place this upside down on the

banding wheel and spin it a few times to

make sure that I've achieved the

symmetry that I was looking for all

through shaving and paddling

so after achieving symmetry in my shape

and smoothing it out I'm gonna add an

elaborate foot ring to the bottom of

this pot to do so I'm gonna place a

small coil by slipping and scoring it

into place scoring is the action of

scratching the surface you intend to add

clay to this allows the platelets to

readily interlock together slip is like

the bonding agent that glues the clay

together these two actions assure that

your two pieces of clay will stick

together I'm going to continue to pinch

this ring until it gets a little wider

basically just think about making it

another pinch pot underneath your first

pinch pot so already I've pinched the

foot thinned it trimmed it and smoothed

it out I'm going to take a rasping tool

and square the area where I attach the

ring and then I'm going to smooth it out

with a sponge for a seamless transition

from the body to the foot next I'm going

to add a handle to the pinch pot not

that it needs one but I feel like it'll

suit the form and will likely be more

aesthetic than utility just like when I

attach the foot ring I'm gonna slip and

score the handle to the side profile to

assure that it sticks well on the pot

[Music]

and that my friends is how you make a

pinch pot thanks for watching

[Music]