Q&A for How to Make a Clay Pot

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  • Question
    How do you open clay?
    Deanna Ranlett
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Deanna Ranlett is a Pottery and Ceramics Professional and the Owner of Mudfire Inc. in Decatur, Georgia. With more than 22 years of experience in the ceramics industry and eight years of experience owning a studio, they specialize in glaze formulation, firing ceramic and pottery pieces, general clay projects, and screen printing for ceramics. Deanna holds a BFA in Ceramic Arts and Ceramics from Georgia State University.
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Expert Answer
    Ultimately, you have to find a position that's comfortable for you. Some people use their thumb while some use their index finger. Other people find it more comfortable to hold a sponge or use their middle finger.
  • Question
    How can you tell if clay is centered?
    Deanna Ranlett
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Deanna Ranlett is a Pottery and Ceramics Professional and the Owner of Mudfire Inc. in Decatur, Georgia. With more than 22 years of experience in the ceramics industry and eight years of experience owning a studio, they specialize in glaze formulation, firing ceramic and pottery pieces, general clay projects, and screen printing for ceramics. Deanna holds a BFA in Ceramic Arts and Ceramics from Georgia State University.
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Expert Answer
    The clay isn't moving and you aren't moving. Plus, you aren't fighting the clay—it's perfectly still but spinning in a circle.
  • Question
    How do you make pottery tall?
    Deanna Ranlett
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Deanna Ranlett is a Pottery and Ceramics Professional and the Owner of Mudfire Inc. in Decatur, Georgia. With more than 22 years of experience in the ceramics industry and eight years of experience owning a studio, they specialize in glaze formulation, firing ceramic and pottery pieces, general clay projects, and screen printing for ceramics. Deanna holds a BFA in Ceramic Arts and Ceramics from Georgia State University.
    Pottery & Ceramics Professional
    Expert Answer
    Use a technique called pulling! Change your hand position to have one hand on the outside of your piece and one on the inside. Use one hand to pull the clay over the other and then pull straight up, as though you're pulling straight toward your nose. You might have to do this 5-8 times before you're happy with your pot's height.
  • Question
    What are the different varieties of clay?
    Natasha Dikareva, MFA
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College.
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Expert Answer
    There are low-temperature and high-temperature clays. For example, earthenware is low-temperature, porcelain is high-temperature, and stoneware is mid-range clay.
  • Question
    How do you make a pinch pot?
    Natasha Dikareva, MFA
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College.
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Expert Answer
    To make a pinch pot, you should first make a bowl out of clay. Then make a hole with your thumb. It should not go all the way through the wall. Keep your thumb inside the bowl and rotate the bowl. Squeeze and pull at the same time. Make the wall of your pot as even as possible in thickness.
  • Question
    How can I make a coil pot?
    Natasha Dikareva, MFA
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College.
    Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
    Expert Answer
    The most important thing to remember while making a coil pot is that the coils should have an even thickness. You can put them on top of each other and make a pot. Make sure that they stick to each other nicely.
  • Question
    How do I make a mug?
    PipeHeart568
    Community Answer
    Start with a ball, then slowly push you thumb through it while rotating the ball. After you make a small pot, put two finger inside the pot and use your dominant hand with a little bit of water to kind of go up and down the outside of the pot until you get the desired shape.
  • Question
    How do I make dry clay soft?
    Mokshika
    Community Answer
    Use water to soften the clay. Mind the proportion of water to clay, as it may liquefy the clay when used to excess.
  • Question
    Are there any other ways to make clay?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there are many ways to make clay, including paper clay, cold porcelain, polymer and much more.
  • Question
    Will this work if I made my own clay?
    Community Answer
    Clay is clay. It should work.
  • Question
    Can I leave a clay pot out in the hot sun to fire it?
    Community Answer
    No, since to be successfully fired, the clay has to reach over 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, which can only be achieved in special pottery kilns.
  • Question
    Is there a way to dry clay that I made from dirt and water?
    Community Answer
    If all of the dirt has been sieved from the slurry, then you just need to let it sit and dry over time.
  • Question
    What do you call the oven used to dry the clay?
    Adele Orr
    Top Answerer
    The oven used to bake the clay is called a kiln. Kilns can range from 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Question
    How do I make a clay pot in my normal oven? What temperature does it need to be?
    Community Answer
    You can’t really make clay in your own home oven, since the clay needs to be heated to 2400 degrees. Only special clay kilns can achieve this temperature.
  • Question
    Which clay can I use for homemade planters?
    Community Answer
    Use earthenware grade, which is usually reddish in color. The different classifications of clay are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.
  • Question
    How do you make a design on the pit but without a special tool?
    Community Answer
    You can use a sharp pencil, needle or skewer. Anything thin and sharp will do!
  • Question
    How do I make mini clay pots?
    Community Answer
    To make mini pots, use the pinch pot method, use a smaller amount of clay, and roll a smaller ball to start with.
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