Making Pottery with a Mold:

Easy as pie!

Create a small creatively designed container using a mold to determine the form.

What will you do?

How to get started Choose a container that will act as

a mold. Think of the separate pieces of

clay you will need in order to assemble the form.

Do you want a lid, handles, feet, other figures or pieces that will make your piece unique?

Cut the clay into the desired pieces with a cutting tool or a needle tool.Use a piece a piece of paper as a guide

Lay the pieces of clay on a board or

canvas. Make texture marks

to decorate the work. If using a stamp dust

the stamp with talc powder.

Decoration can be built up on the

surface or carved into the surface

Surface Decoration

Using a mould Line the inside of the mold with a

piece of plastic or paper towel . Lay your piece of clay texture side

down into the container. You may decide to make this

container with separate pieces such as a base and four separate sides to make a box.

Attaching two pieces of clay: Score the edges (cross hatch) with

a needle or a fork where the pieces of clay will be connected.

Attach the pieces of clay together by using slip (watery clay mixture).

Blend both pieces of clay together to form a strong bond

Score and attach using slip

Always make sure the two pieces of clay are well attached

Removing the clay from the mould The clay can be left in a bag for one

or two days to dry slightly This clay is now “leather hard” and

stiff enough to stand on its own The clay must be removed from the

mold at this point otherwise your clay may dry and shrink causing it to crack!

Finishing Touches Sign bottom of the piece with

your name using sharp pencil. smooth the edges of the work

with a moist sponge Do not handle the clay project

when it is dry. FRAGILE Let dry completely before firing

One of the best ways to work with clay

Making Pottery with a Mold