How Do You Properly Join Two Pinch Pots?

Pinch pots are a basic form of hand-built pottery made by pinching and shaping clay into a simple pot form. Joining two pinch pots together involves attaching two separately formed pots to create one larger, more complex form.

There are several benefits to joining pinch pots versus making a single pot:

• Joining creates more interesting and intricate shapes and silhouettes.
• It allows expressing creativity by combining different shapes, sizes, textures, etc.
• The process develops skills in attaching clay components.
• It’s easier to manipulate smaller sections than one large lump of clay.
• Joining pinch pots teaches important techniques like scoring and slipping.

This article will provide a step-by-step guide to properly joining two pinch pots, from supplies and preparation through decorating and firing the finished piece.

Gather Materials

The first step in properly joining two pinch pots is gathering the necessary materials. The key materials needed are:

Clay

Choosing the right clay is crucial for making high quality pinch pots that can be joined together. A clay with a high grog content works well, as the grog particles create texture and make the clay less likely to crack or break when joining (source). Standard stoneware or terracotta clays are good options.

Slip

Slip is a liquefied clay used to “glue” pieces of unfired clay together. Select a slip that matches the color and composition of the clay for the pinch pots to create a seamless join (source). Prepare the slip in advance by wedging scraps of the clay and adding water.

Sculpting Tools

Have basic sculpting tools on hand like wooden ribs, loop tools, and rubber tipped shapers. These will help shape the joined pots and refine details.

Prepare the Pots

Before joining pinch pots together, it’s important to let them sit until they are leather hard. Leather hard refers to the stage when the clay is partially dried but still soft enough to join pieces together. At the leather hard stage, the surface will have a leathery texture and the clay will be cool to the touch.

Make sure pinch pots are leather hard before attempting to join them. If the clay is too wet, the pots will slump or deform when joining. If the clay is too dry, it will be prone to cracking at the seams when attaching pieces.

Once leather hard, use a damp sponge to smooth over any cracks, fingerprints, or imperfections on the surface of the pots. Pay close attention to smoothing the rims and edges where pieces will be joined. Any uneven surfaces or seams will compromise the structural integrity of the final piece.¹

Take care not to over-smooth or thin out the walls. Pinch pots should maintain an even thickness for sturdiness.

Apply Slip

The next step is to apply slip, which acts as a “glue,” to the surfaces you want to join. Slip is a liquefied clay mixture made by combining clay and water. To make slip, you’ll need to take a small amount of clay and mix it with water until it reaches a creamy, yogurt-like consistency. Some potters recommend letting the mixture sit for a day or two so the clay absorbs the water fully. You can also add a teaspoon of vinegar or Epsom salts to the water when making slip to help prevent cracking (1).

To apply the slip, use a brush, sponge, or your finger to coat the joining surfaces of both pots generously. The slip should be thick enough to adhere but thin enough to spread smoothly. Make sure to get slip into any crevices for the best bond. Then, allow the slip to dry slightly until it becomes tacky before joining the pots (2). This helps prevent the pots from sliding around. If the slip is too wet when you join, it can cause cracking as it dries. Letting it dry to a leather-hard tackiness first creates the ideal consistency for joining.

(1) https://thepotterywheel.com/how-to-make-slip-for-clay/

(2) https://thepotterywheel.com/how-to-make-slip-for-clay/

Join the Pots

Joining two pinch pots together securely is an important step to ensure your final piece holds its shape during drying and firing. The best way to join two bits of clay is to use the score and slip method of joining. Start by taking your two pinch pots and pressing them firmly together so they are aligned as desired. As you press, turn the pots gently to flatten and smooth the seam where they meet.

Next, use a serrated rib or kitchen fork to roughen and “score” both the inside and outside edges of the seam. Scoring creates grooves for the slip to adhere to. Then apply slip, a mix of clay and water, along the scored areas using your finger or a small brush. The slip will act as the “glue” to hold the two pieces of clay together. Press the pots together again firmly and rub along the seam in both directions to smooth it out and work the slip into the scored clay. Use a wooden modeling tool, paint brush handle or finger to refine the shape and blend the join.

Let the joined pots sit for a few minutes so the slip starts to dry and stiffen before continuing to work on them. Proper scoring and slipping results in a strong bond between the two pinch pots when fired. For more detailed instructions and tips on joining clay, refer to this tutorial from The Pottery Wheel: https://thepotterywheel.com/double-pinch-pot/

Refine Shape

Once the two pinch pots are joined together, you can refine the overall shape. Carefully smooth over the seam where the two pots meet using your fingers, a modeling tool, or a damp sponge. Blend the clay together so the joint is no longer visible.

At this stage, you can also tweak the proportions to achieve the desired shape. For example, you may want to pinch in certain areas to create more of an hourglass form, or add height by pulling up on the walls. Work slowly and gently to prevent tearing or distorting the clay.

Check the pot from all angles as you refine the form to ensure symmetry and balance. Focus on creating smooth, even surfaces without any bumps or wrinkles. Let the clay firm up slightly between adjustments so it retains its shape.

According to this guide, using a modeling tool or knife to mark the join can help keep the seam lined up properly while shaping the overall form.

Add Decorations

Once the joined pinch pots have dried completely, it’s time to add decorations. Decorating the pots helps give them more visual interest and personality. There are many options for decorating pinch pots.

One popular technique is to incise designs into the surface using various tools. Sharp objects like bamboo skewers, chopsticks, or modeling tools can be used to scratch linear designs. Pressing objects with interesting textures into the clay leaves interesting imprints. Geometric patterns like circles, zigzags, and lines work well for incising. Just take care not to cut too deep or the pot may become weakened.

Adding handles or a pouring spout also decorates pinch pots in a functional way. Handle shapes can be simple flattened coils of clay attached on each side, or more elaborate creations like animal heads and shapes. A spout cut from a coil or thick snake of clay turns a pinch pot into a functional vessel for pouring liquids (source).

Other decorative techniques include adding coils, ropes of clay, and appliqué shapes. Imprinting the surface with rubber stamps or other found objects creates interesting textures and patterns. The options are endless – let your creativity run wild when adding personalized decorations to pinched pots!

Let Dry

After joining the two pinch pots together and adding any decorations, it’s crucial to let the clay dry completely before firing. Air dry clay dries through evaporation, so it’s important not to rush this step.

Find a safe place where the clay sculpture can sit undisturbed as it dries thoroughly. Drying time depends on factors like temperature, humidity, and thickness of the clay, but can take 1-3 days. When fully dry, the clay will be firm and solid.

To help slow the drying process and prevent cracking, the joined pinch pots can be wrapped loosely in plastic after 1-2 hours of initial air drying. The plastic will retain moisture while still allowing for gradual evaporation until completely dry.

Carefully check for any damp areas before firing, as trapped moisture can cause explosions or cracks during the bisque firing stage. The clay must be fully dry for a successful result.

Properly drying joined pinch pots requires patience, but is an essential step before bisque firing the finished sculpture.

Bisque Fire

Once the pot has dried completely, it’s ready to be fired in the kiln for the first time in a process called bisque firing. This converts the clay from its soft, fragile, greenware state into a hard, durable bisque state that is ready for glazing and final firing.¹

It’s critical to follow the kiln’s instructions for bisque firing temperatures and ramp speeds. Typical bisque firing is done slowly, starting at room temperature, rising to around 1000-1100°F, then cooling slowly again. The goal is to thoroughly dry and harden the clay without shocking it with sudden temperature changes that could cause cracks or explosions.

Before firing, place the joined pinch pots on stilts inside the kiln. Stilts are small tripod stands that support the piece and prevent it from sticking to the kiln shelf. They allow heat to circulate underneath the pot for even firing.¹

Glaze and Final Firing

The final step to completing your joined pinch pots is to apply glaze and fire the piece one last time. When working with ceramics, the glazing and final firing brings out the completed look by adding color, shine, and permanence through vitrification.

Be sure to thoroughly clean the piece first to remove any dust or debris. Apply glaze according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using a brush, sponge, or pouring to coat the outside surface. Pay close attention to the glaze thickness and evenness. Too thin of a coat will result in an inconsistent finished look. Too thick of a coat can lead to cracking.

Let the glazed piece fully dry before firing. Carefully place it in the kiln on stilts or firing posts so the glaze doesn’t stick. Ramp up the kiln slowly to the final firing temperature specified on the glaze instructions. Soak at the peak temperature to fully fuse the glaze then allow ample time for the kiln to cool down.

Once cooled, your joined pinch pots will be ready to use and enjoy! The glaze application and final firing provides a polished, finished look as well as making the piece food-safe and durable for regular use.