Coil pot
Watch the video about coil pots at the bottom of this page. The coils should be a little smaller/thinner than what she shows in the video. I think she does her coils quite big to show better on the video.
After seeing the video, I want you to sketch out what you want to be making: sketch the shape of your future piece (coils are amazing about going in and out easily, by placing coil inside or outside), think about the size and write down dimensions you want to make, and what types of coil decorations you want: sketch those onto your drawing. You should use at least three different formations of coils. Use some that are horizontal, some vertical. Make something creative! Think of pattern, movement, rhythm when designing piece.
The inside of your coil pot should be smoothed out (= smooth). The outside should still have the coil structures.
How to make a coil pot:
Base: make a slab for the base by rolling it out, tossing it on the tabletop, or pat it with your fingers. Smooth it out with a sponge. Put it on a wooden board covered with a paper towel.
Coils: prep coils by shaping the clay into a sausage shape, twist the ends in opposite directions, then roll them out using your whole flat hand, pulling your hands apart gently as you are rolling the coil. If it becomes flat, stop and adjust the coil, by patting it square and twisting it. If too thin, you can bring your hands together to thicken.
Join the first coil to the base by scoring the base and the coil, using slip, also score and slip the ends of the coil, then blend inside surface. The inside edge is smoothed into the base.
If you want your pot to be going outwards, place the next coil(s) on the outer edge of the last coil, if you want to go inward, place the next coil(s) on the interior of former coil.
Possible formation of coils:
- Rope: make two coils, add water to surface of each coil, place them side by side, then twist them together. When placed on pot, match up ends, score ends, blend the inside.
- Spheres, raindrops: roll a coil, cut into small sections, roll them, with a tail at one end. Set on the wall, tail going inwards. Blend the inside.
- Snail coil: wet coil, taper tip, then roll in on itself. Cradle the outside as you blend the inside.
- Fence: add water to coil then form into zigzags.
- Wedge shaped coil: same as fence but the coil is not round but has a profile like a knife. You do this by flattening both sides of coil into a pointy edge.
- Rainbow: Middle piece is a sphere, then coils are placed around center sphere, each coil being bigger than the last.
- Coil with stamp accent, or small slab, or sculptural piece: larger pieces of clay that are not coils that are added to the surface or the walls of the pot.
- Coils draping over the outside of the piece (like shoe laces).
Top edge: one final coil should be placed over the whole area.
While still wet, make sure you blend the interior and smooth out with a rib, holding your other hand on the exterior to support it.
Glazing: Try a combination glazing: put one glaze on and then cover it with another. Usually the dark one comes first.
Coil construction: simple instruction and photos
Coil pot gallery of ideas
Watch the video about coil pots at the bottom of this page. The coils should be a little smaller/thinner than what she shows in the video. I think she does her coils quite big to show better on the video.
After seeing the video, I want you to sketch out what you want to be making: sketch the shape of your future piece (coils are amazing about going in and out easily, by placing coil inside or outside), think about the size and write down dimensions you want to make, and what types of coil decorations you want: sketch those onto your drawing. You should use at least three different formations of coils. Use some that are horizontal, some vertical. Make something creative! Think of pattern, movement, rhythm when designing piece.
The inside of your coil pot should be smoothed out (= smooth). The outside should still have the coil structures.
How to make a coil pot:
Base: make a slab for the base by rolling it out, tossing it on the tabletop, or pat it with your fingers. Smooth it out with a sponge. Put it on a wooden board covered with a paper towel.
Coils: prep coils by shaping the clay into a sausage shape, twist the ends in opposite directions, then roll them out using your whole flat hand, pulling your hands apart gently as you are rolling the coil. If it becomes flat, stop and adjust the coil, by patting it square and twisting it. If too thin, you can bring your hands together to thicken.
Join the first coil to the base by scoring the base and the coil, using slip, also score and slip the ends of the coil, then blend inside surface. The inside edge is smoothed into the base.
If you want your pot to be going outwards, place the next coil(s) on the outer edge of the last coil, if you want to go inward, place the next coil(s) on the interior of former coil.
Possible formation of coils:
- Rope: make two coils, add water to surface of each coil, place them side by side, then twist them together. When placed on pot, match up ends, score ends, blend the inside.
- Spheres, raindrops: roll a coil, cut into small sections, roll them, with a tail at one end. Set on the wall, tail going inwards. Blend the inside.
- Snail coil: wet coil, taper tip, then roll in on itself. Cradle the outside as you blend the inside.
- Fence: add water to coil then form into zigzags.
- Wedge shaped coil: same as fence but the coil is not round but has a profile like a knife. You do this by flattening both sides of coil into a pointy edge.
- Rainbow: Middle piece is a sphere, then coils are placed around center sphere, each coil being bigger than the last.
- Coil with stamp accent, or small slab, or sculptural piece: larger pieces of clay that are not coils that are added to the surface or the walls of the pot.
- Coils draping over the outside of the piece (like shoe laces).
Top edge: one final coil should be placed over the whole area.
While still wet, make sure you blend the interior and smooth out with a rib, holding your other hand on the exterior to support it.
Glazing: Try a combination glazing: put one glaze on and then cover it with another. Usually the dark one comes first.
Coil construction: simple instruction and photos
Coil pot gallery of ideas
