2. PINCH BOWL

Material — a ball off gray or terra cotta pottery clay, about 1 ½" in diameter Tools       — use your lingers only; plaster bat about 4" x 4"

This is about the simplest way to make pottery. You need no tools, just use your hands and fin­gers. It will help you acquire the necessary feel­ing for the clay and develop finger dexterity. Take a small ball of soft, moist clay about 1 ½" in diameter. Wedge the clay thoroughly (see Introduction, page 12). If the clay is not soft, wet the hands and work the clay until it feels as pli­able as dough. After shaping it into a ball (Figure 1), place it in your left palm and slowly push your right thumb, then the left thumb, into the center to V*" thickness at the bottom (Figure 2). With both thumbs in the center and the remain­ing fingers on the outside, the bottom side up, press out slowly, revolving the piece constantly (Figure 3). Keep the base small—1" across. When sides are ⅜" thick, place the piece on the plaster bat. Next work around the edge in a pinching motion with thumbs and fingers until the entire wall is about ¼" thick (Figure 4). The danger point is where the base merges with the side wall. Take care not to strain the pot by forcing or pinching this area too much. Be sure to work from the bottom, keeping the top thick until the very last.

The bowl should be even in shape and thickness, and approximately round. After this has been achieved, the shape can be varied by pushing the edges inward or outward according to the design you wish. A bowl or vase about 2½" to 3" will result (Figure 5). The pinch bowl can be made into an ash tray, small vase, a demitasse, or liquor jigger (Figure 6). This can be decorated in any way you desire—with surface decoration and a transparent glaze, carving, or with an opaque glaze (see Project XV, and Introduction, pages 14-18 on glazing).

Figure 1 —Shape a piece of clay into a ball 1½" in diameter.

Figure 2—Push first the right thumb, then the left thumb, into the center.

Figure 3 - Hold bowl up and with both thumbs inside, revolve and shape it.

Figure 4—Lay bowl on a plaster bat and work around the edge with a pinching motion.

Figure 5 —The bowl should be even in shape and thickness and approximately round.

Figure 6—Finished pinch bowls, made by 16-17-year-old students.

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