Are you worried about how to make pottery without a pottery wheel? Yes, you can make pottery without a Potter wheel.
You can make pottery without a pottery wheel using Pinch, Coiling, Assembly, etc.
In 2013 I was worried about making pottery without a wheel because I had no money after graduation.
Later, I learned about these techniques, which I’m about to show you.
In addition, you will know what clay you can use and how you can model each of the pieces we will name.
I have made interesting items using clay without pottery wheels.
I have made the following:
You can also learn them by clicking on the link above.
The Three Types Of Techniques For Molding Clay With Hand
Did you think all ceramic pieces are made only with a potter’s wheel? No, there are other very simple and cheap ways to make your pieces.
In case you didn’t know, there are 5 modeling techniques.
In addition to the pottery wheel, four are very easy, and you will only need your hands.
The four techniques we will explain are enjoyable; best of all, anyone can use them to create wonderful ceramic pieces.
Different people with different knowledge starting From beginners and children to professional potters who, make some of their pieces like this.
Also read: is pottery wheel hard to learn?
Four will only need your hands, clay, and a little water, so having a space to relax and spread out while you knead clay and put all worries aside is excellent.
Check out our article on 5 Basic Modeling Techniques.
The 3 types of techniques for molding clay by hand are;
- Pinch techniques
- Coiling techniques
- Assembly techniques
Types Of Clay For Molding Clay With Hand
Now that you know what techniques exist to make your pieces without using a tool as advanced as the potter’s wheel.
We will tell you what clay you can use to make the pieces.
There are many types of clay that, due to their components, work to make different pieces.
Today we will remind you of the six most accessible clay to obtain, which can sometimes be made at home with your hands. These are:
- Red or potter’s clay
- Cold porcelain
- Polymer clay
- homemade clay
- stoneware clay
- earthenware clay
How To Make A Pot Using Pinching Techniques Without A Pottery Wheel.
how to make pottery without a pottery wheel Since using a potter’s wheel is unnecessary, all you will need is the following Materials.
- Red mold Clay
- A thin wooden board or a flat, movable surface, such as a tray
- A blunt knife
- A wooden kidney, also known as a profile
- A sponge
1. Preparation
Make a ball of clay that fits in the palm of your hand, about the size between a golf ball and a tennis ball (it all depends on the size of your hand).
Ensure the ball is even and has few cracks; these will get bigger and more obvious as your pot takes shape.
2. Shape The Pot
Poke a hole in the ball with your thumb. Then, pinching your thumb and forefinger, pinch the base of the ball to make the clay stand out.
Work slowly, rolling the ball of clay around in the palm of your supporting hand.
Once you’ve created an entire border, ensure you’ve pinched it evenly and corrected any areas that are too thick.
3. Refine The Shape
Once you have a rounded pot-shaped piece, press the bottom against a flat surface until you create a smooth base.
Now use the flat of your thumb to smooth out the inside of the pot.
Be careful not to push too hard or warp the clay, but ensure you apply enough force to keep it smooth.
4. Let Your Pot Dry
Lay your pot on its side to dry. If your house is warm, it will be ready in a few hours, but if it is cold, you must let it dry overnight.
Setting it aside to let it dry will help ensure that no external movement alters the structure of your pot.
5. Level The Outer Edge
Place your pot on a flat, movable surface. You can use any object that is easy to turn, such as a small wooden board or a tray.
Use the knife to cut the rim’s lowest point horizontally carefully, and while holding it firmly in your hand, rotate the surface under your pot to completely cut the rim.
Repeat this procedure until you get the thin edge that you like best.
6. Smooth The Outside
You can use a wooden tool called a kidney to remove excess clay from the outside of your pot to get a smoother surface.
Control the amount of material you want to remove with a slight twist of the kidney.
You can also wipe the inside and outside of the piece with a damp sponge for a smooth finish.
Ensure the sponge isn’t too wet, as excess moisture can warp your pot.
Also, read the following;
Who invented the pottery wheel?
How To Make A Coiling Pot By Coiling Techniques Without A Pottery Wheel
Among every other technique, making poultry by coiling method is probably one of the most straightforward and self-explanatory methods.
Coiling can be done by hand, building pottery without any wheels. It is a great way to build pots.
Every pottery has a different approach to handling coils clay method.
But a general principle or guidelines govern this makeup, which I will explain below.
This section of this post contains a step-by-step guide on how to make your coil pots at home. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Step 1: knead a piece of clay. After that, mold it into a ball in your hand.
Step 2: squeeze it in your hand and allow your hand to move freely on it, meaning you should roll the clay between your two palms so it will form a sausage roll shape.
When rolling it between your two palms, you will notice the clay starts becoming more extended than it was before.
Step 3: Place the clay on a smooth surface and roll it with your hand against the smooth surface.
When rolling, move your hand from the center to the edge of the clay so the clay gets stretched and smaller; once the clay gets more minor to the size of our two fingers, stop.
Step 4: It is time to make the base. Take another clay and mold it into a ball using your palm.
Flatten the clay with your palm by pressing it against your palm for it to be pressed, and use your palm to clap each other against the clay.
Another way to flatten your clay is to use a bottle or roller to roll the clay on your work surface. Please don’t make it too flat.
Step 5: Place the base on a Smooth surface that will not gum with the base. Or better still use a clothes material.
Step 6: Get a cup or plate, depending on your desired base size.
Place the round part of the cup on top of the clay base and cut out the outer part.
It means that you will cut the extra clay appearing outside so you will form a round shape of that cup. Once this is accomplished, remove the cup.
Step 7; now get the long round clay. I mean the clay you worked on at the time.
Now place it on top of the base to make sure it is at the edge of the base. This must be at the same line as the base edge.
It is time to roll it in a circle of the base and cut it when it gets to the beginning of your coiling.
Make sure the cutting lap to each other if it does not lap, use little clay to fill the gap.
Step 8: At the place where you join your coil ( the round clay), you will notice a gap both inside and outside between the coil and the bottom.
Use your finger to press down the coil so it will cover that gap both inside and outside. Don’t bother if the face is rough.
Sep 9: After covering the gap in between deep your finger, three first finger inside and your thumb outside, press them against each other so the clay increase in height.
This finger can be changeable depending on the one you feel comfortable with.
Step 10: Repeat the process of steps 8 and 9
Step 11: after you have finished giving your pot the desired shape you want. Take a chopstick or construct your own.
Use the chopstick to level the rough part of your pot. This rough part is due to closing those gaps during the topping of the coil after you have used the chopstick to level the surface of your pot.
It is time to do the final finishing. Wet your palm with water and rub it on the surface of your clay so it will be smooth.
Step 12: use a penknife to carve a rough part of the clay to, I mean, the mouth of your pot.
Take your finished work to the sun or oven to dry it up. I hope this is helpful to you.
Are you interested in making your pottery at home without spending money on buying pottery wheels and other costly tools?
Learn how to make pottery at home.
How To Make Pottery Without A Pottery Wheel Conclusion
Now that you know how to make pottery without a pottery wheel, always keep in mind to use suitable clay so your work will be neat and easy.
Be patient and willing to work and follow every step above giving to you. It is not compulsory to do exactly what I do.
You can also add your style and make things easy for you.
To make the world of pottery easy, I have some helpful articles for you:
Is the pottery wheel hard to learn?
the best clay for a pottery wheel.
How does a pottery wheel work?
learn how to make clay plates at home
how to make a picture frame out of clay
