Tips for Working with Clay
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Clay can be a messy medium. Roll up your sleeves and don’t worry about
getting clay on your fingers and nails. You can clean up at the very end. Don’t
wash hands every 5 minutes or you will only waste time.
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When adding one piece of clay to another, score, or rough up both pieces
where they will attach to one another using a tool. Next, add slip or water
and smooth using a finger or tool. You should not see the seam where both
pieces of clay come together when you are finished.
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If you make the walls of your vase, bowl, or plate too thin then the clay will
crack and break.
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Try to make all the parts or walls of your piece the same thickness so that it
will dry evenly.
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If you are making something that is wide and big make sure that it is hollow.
Perhaps make it from an inverted, or upside down, pinch pot.
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When finished with a project place it in a bag or a cool room so that it drys
slowly and does not crack.
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Do not make appendages too small or thin otherwise they will break easily.
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Work on a piece of cloth so that your clay does not stick to the table.