handbuilding techniques - building a coil pot

Coiling is a pottery technique taught to most beginners at an early stage. It is a very flexible method but you need to have the clay at the right consistency and roll your coils evenly, not too thin and not too thick.

Leaving the piece to stiffen in between stages is key to achieving the form you want although a good smacking with a wooden spatula can work wonders to firm up the shape.

There are two vidoes, I hope you enjoy them.

Starting your coil pot

Following on from forming the bowl, you can refine it with a surform and smooth it out using flexible plastic cards and spoon backs. Adding a foot can completely change the whole appearance of your work.

Finishing your coil pot with an added footring

Originally, these videos were part of a series of shorts for people participating in the Community Pottery Project in Walton-on-Thames in 2021 during lockdown, but I thought they might be useful for any beginner, especially if you are working from home. All you need is clay, your hands and an idea of what you would like to make, but a few simple tools might come in handy