Where I Am Now

       My pinch pot has changed a lot from how I originally envisioned it. In the beginning I really had no clue what i was making, and now I'm proud of how it turned out. I used to laugh at my work because it looked like an old fashioned milk jug, and now it looks like a respectable vase. I was able to keep good control of the clay, I think, but it didn't always do exactly what I wanted. Once I started using specific tools for smoothing it and shaping the outside, the clay responded better. Since the neck ended up so much thinner than I first intended, I had to work on shaping my vase solely from the outside. The angle that sloped down from the neck was the hardest to shape from the outside.

    I was really nervous about the line design, and the pattern turned out completely different from what I first envisioned. I wanted something with curls and spirals, but quickly changed my mind when I attempted those on the extra clay. There was also supposed to be four "petals" around the pot, but I realized it looked too crowded and left it at three.

    I believe I am done with this vase for now. I'm going to leave it to dry, think of glaze colors, and move on to the coil project.

Pinch Pot: Flower Vase

The "slip and score" is a technique used when connecting two pieces of clay. I will have to use this technique to pt together the top, curvy part of my vase to the base I made on the first day of the project. First, I'll score the clay, scratching up the rim of the base and top that I want to connect together. Then, I'll wet my finger and pass the water over the scored surface. The water will serve like a glue of sorts, while the scored surfaces are kind of like a jigsaw puzzle fitting together snugly. This way, the piece won't crack, and it will be much sturdier and harder to take apart.

To show symmetry in this piece I make sure to apply pressure on all sides of the piece evenly. At one point, the curvy part at the top of the vase curved more sharply on one end. I'm trying to use both of my hands when shaping the outside. The outside also has to be smooth, so I fix each accidental scratch right after I make it, or as soon as I notice it. The symmetry will be more evident once the clay has been fired and I can start painting. Until that time, I will keep working on it... Stay tuned, Gleeson :)