Do-It-Yourself/Pottery

Coiling technique
One popular technique when constructing pottery is the coiling technique. Here is a simply overview of how to construct a pot using this technique.


 * 1) Squeezing the clay into a coil or rolling between your hands are two ways to make coils.  This technique can be difficult to make a smooth, round coil because of the uneven pressure from your hands and fingers.
 * 2) When hand rolling coils, use a smooth surface, spreading your hands to apply even pressure.  Gently roll the clay back and forth.
 * 3) Roll the coils so that they are a little thicker than a pencil, then stack the coils one on top of another.
 * 4) For strength, force the clay together on the inside of the piece.  Use you finger and scrape the top coil onto the coil underneath it.
 * 5) When smoothing out the inside of the piece, hold your other hand on the outside so you do not damage what you have completed already.
 * 6) If you want the top level, gently turn your piece over and lightly tap it on a smooth surface.
 * 7) When you are finished with your piece, let it dry slowly: the grooves in the piece are weak spots and if they dry too quickly they will crack.