Ceramics & Sculpture – Unit 1: Pinch Pots
DUE to FIRE: Friday, 2/14/14
Requirements:
In this unit, you will be creating 2 pots using the Pinching Method.
1. Standard Pinch Pot: Create a pinch pot using the pinch technique as demonstrated. Try to make your
pinch pot original by changing the lip (opening) and adding textures or line design on the surface of the
clay.
1. Take a handful of clay. Roll it into a ball.
2. Press your thumb into the center of the ball, pushing until it is 3/4 of the way through.
3. Start pinch in the clay and rotating. Keep pinching until it is approximately 1/4 in everywhere.
Be sure to smooth in any cracks that may form using slip & water.
4. Add textures and/or line designs into the surface of the clay. You can decorate both the inside and
the outside of the pot. You can use any tool or textured surface to add designs.
2. Lidded Pinch Pot: Create a pinch pot that has a removable lid. Try to make your pinch pot original by
adding a handle and adding textures or line design on the surface of the clay.
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Create 2 pinch pots that are about the same size.
Take the pot that seems to be a tiny bit larger and flare out the edges.
Slightingly push the edges in toward the center of the smaller pinch pot.
Slip (using water) and score the inside edge of the larger pot with the flared edge. Make sure you
rub the water in until it isn't shiny.
Slip and score the interior edge of the smaller pot.
Put a plastic grocery bag into the smaller pot. Pack it in really good.
Place the smaller pot into the larger pot. Smooth in the seams completely.
Paddle or roll your form into the desired shape.
Draw a line going around the form for the lid.
Using a needle tool, cut all the way through the clay where the line is drawn.
Carefully take off the top. Smooth in the areas that were cut. Keeping the bag inside, put the lid
back on. Let the form dry out to be leatherhard.
Once the form is leatherhard, smooth the lid back on using a flat surface. Gently pull up the lid as
you are smoothing to make sure it isn't sticking together.
Decorate the surface. Be creative. You can add a handle and any type of design you would like.
Anything you add to the surface needs to be slipped first. They you need to smooth in the seam
where the piece is attached.
Finishing the pots: Once your pots are fired, you will glaze them. It is preferred to use glaze when the
pot is meant to be mostly functional, being used as a pot.
Vocabulary to know:
 Leatherhard
 Lip
 Needle Tool
 Paddle
 Pinch Method
 Score
 Slip
Rubrics:
Pinch Pot
Composition
Created using appropriate Pinch Method
Texture / Detail designs present (at least 3)
Underglaze finish
Glaze finish
Craftsmanship
Neatness? Cracks? Smooth? No thumb prints. Glaze drips?
Responsibility / Effort
Turned in on time? Completed? Kept up with rubric?
Creativity / Originality
TOTAL
/ 10
/ 15
/ 10
/ 10
/ 20
/ 30
/ 10
/ 105
Rubric:
Lidded Pinch Pot
Planning
At least 3 sketches (appropriate size & detail)
Composition
Created using appropriate Pinch Method
Size requirement: 3+ inches in height, 3+ in width
Added handle
Interesting form
Texture / Detail designs present (at least 3)
Glaze finish
Craftsmanship
Neatness? Cracks? Smooth? No thumb prints. Glaze drips?
Responsibility / Effort
Turned in on time? Completed? Kept up with rubric?
Creativity / Originality
TOTAL
/ 15
/ 10
/ 10
/ 15
/ 10
/ 15
/ 10
/ 25
/ 30
/ 10
/ 150