Clay Coil Pot Building Technique

Air-dry clay (about a fist-sized piece)

A cup of water for smoothing

Plastic mat or wax paper to protect the surface

Paint and brushes for decorating after drying (optional)

A fork or toothpick for adding texture (optional)

Roll a ball of air-dry clay between your palms, then press it flat into a circle about 4 inches across and a quarter-inch thick. This is the base of your pot.

Roll another piece of clay back and forth on the table into a long, even rope — about the thickness of a pencil. Even thickness is important.

Starting at the edge of the base, lay the rope in a circle on top of the base rim. When you reach the starting point, cut or blend the ends together.

Smooth the inside seam between the coil and the base with a wet finger. Drag clay downward from the coil into the base. This creates the structural bond.

Roll more ropes and keep stacking coils. To make the pot wider, place each coil slightly outside the one below. To narrow it, place each slightly inside.

You can leave the coil texture visible on the outside for a rustic look, or smooth the exterior completely for a clean finish. Both are traditional techniques.

Let the pot dry for 48 hours in a well-ventilated spot, then paint or seal it.

Even, consistent ropes are the foundation of good coil pottery. If the rope is fat in some spots and thin in others, the wall will be uneven.

Always smooth the inside seams. The outside can be textured, but the inside needs to be sealed for the pot to hold together.

Coil building is one of the oldest pottery techniques in human history — thousands of years old. Your child is doing exactly what ancient potters did.

If the clay dries out during building, wet your hands and rework it. A spray bottle helps keep the surface moist.