Native American Indian Inspired Pinch Pots

 We began with raw white clay.  Then we wedged the clay, which is the process of getting all the air bubbles out of the clay.  Then we rolled it into a ball.  Next we started a hole with our thumb and began pinching.

 

 

 

 

We then "pinched" it into the pot shape we wanted.  We discussed different possibilities for size, shape, and if we wanted the pinch pot to look like a new pot or an old artifact.

Next we carved traditional imagery into the wet clay.  Carving into the surface creates RELIEF.  We had many options for the relief such as: animals, symbols, patterns and natural elements.

Then we glazed the pots using common earth tone colors from ancient tribes (red, brown, black white).  Glaze looks much different at first.  When we first put it on, it is nothing like how it will eventually look once it has been fired in the kiln.  At first glaze looks very dull, has a flat finish.  In the kiln, is goes through a chemical change (science!) where it melts, releases gasses, activates certain chemicals (don't worry, totally non-toxic), and then cools.  When we take them out of the kiln it looks much different!!!

Here are a few examples of some of the finished glazes!