A beginners guide to the art of ceramics : Coil Construction

This is another technique using coils to construct a piece of pottery. This technique involve both making coils and pressing them into a pattern.

(Roll coils)

Roll coils in a circular fashion.

(Make a pattern)

Line up coils rolls as seen here. Then place a couple coils on top above and below the coil rolls.

(Fill in gaps)

Press a ball of clay in each gap that you can see through.

(Scrape and Smooth)

Scrape all the coils together. Don't worry about the other side, your coil pattern will still be visible.

(Straighten edges)

After the coils have been scraped and smoothed, you might want to straighten the edges by tapping a yard stick against the edge. Your piece is now like a slab, however, your coil pattern will still be visible on the other side.

(Lift carefully)

Carefully lift your coil slab.

(Make a bottom)

Cut out a shape for your bottom. I used a cup as a guide for my bottom.

(Bend and attach to the bottom)

Carefully bend the coil slab around the bottom you cut out.

(Smooth the bottom)

Flip over your piece then scrape and smooth the bottom. A finger that has been dipped in water works great for smoothing.

(Finishing touches)

On the area where the coil slab was put together use a pencil and draw the coil pattern back onto the piece.

(Finishing touches - Smooth the top edge)

Smooth out the top and you piece is ready to dry slowly. It is important to dry the piece slowly because the grooves from the coils will crack if drying occurs too quickly.