Coil Built PotteryCoil Built Pottery

rolling out the clayrolling out the clay squeezing the clay into

a coil or rolling between your hands are two ways to make coils

This technique can be difficult to make a smooth round coil because of the uneven pressure from hangs and fingers

roll out the coilroll out the coil

When rolling coils, use a smooth surface and while spreading your hands apply even pressure

Gently roll the clay back and forth

a good thicknessa good thickness

Roll the coils so that they are a little thicker than a pencil

Stack the coils on on top of the other

scrape insidescrape insideFor strength, force

the clay together on the inside of the piece

Use your finger and scrape the top coil onto the coil under it

smooth insidesmooth insideWhen smoothing

the inside of the piece, hold your other hand on the outside so you do not damage what you have already completed

leveling the topleveling the topIf you want the top

level, gently turn your piece over and lightly tap it on a smooth surface

dry slowlydry slowlyThe grooves in the

piece are weak spots and may be smoothed before drying process begins

Cover piece loosely and uncover a little each day until bone dry