Making pinch pots

1) Form two equal sized balls of clay, approximately 1/2 pound each.

2) Hold ball in left hand and push right thumb into the middle of the ball leaving about 1/4" - 1/2" thickness at the bottom.

3) Slowly and evenly pinch the clay, starting at the bottom rotating the ball, moving toward the top edge. Leave about 1/4" thickness at edge.

4) Once both pinch pots have been created, score with a pin tool both edges.

5) Apply slip heavily to one pot.

6) Join pots. They might not fit exactly, this is fine. Slide the back of the thumb from one pot over seam onto the other.

7) Once the seam is completely sealed, air is trapped like a balloon and the object can be altered to create desired shape by gently rolling and pressing.

8) To form a head, make another much smaller pinch pot and attach it to body form using the slip and score method described above (not shown).

9) Add legs and feet, always remembering to slip and score everything.

10) To form spines, roll small pieces of clay into approximately 1/2" long coils. Fold in half and press folded end onto clay body, smearing and smoothing as you go.

11) Cut a hole on the bottom to allow air to escape while drying and during firing. Also, create an air passage between the head and the body.

12) Dry very slowly by lightly covering the finished work.