Clay Coil Pots

With this project the students used air-dry clay.  The students started the pots off with a round, flat base of clay about 3/4 of an inch thick and about 3 inches in diameter.  The students then rolled out strips or "snakes" of clay which they coiled around the base to makes the sides of the pot.  Lots of water was used to fill in cracks and to stick clay together.  The water and clay made a thin liquid (called "slip").  Using "slip" like this helps to ensure the pot does not crack or break when drying.  The inside of the pot was reinforced with thin, flat patches of clay about an inch in diameter.  These patched were placed over weak points, holes or cracks until the side of the pots felt solid.

Once dry, the pots were painted with acrylic paint and will be varnished with ceramic varnish.

This is the work that was done: