Did you just learn about the pinch pottery technique and wish to create some amazing projects with your new-found artistic superpower? We are here to help you out! From mugs to beautiful figurines, pinch pottery can help you unleash your creativity. But, what are your options with pinch pottery? In this blog, we will share with you some inspiring projects you can try the next time you are experimenting with pinch pottery!
1. Thumb Pots As Mini Planters:
If you are a green enthusiast, having mini planters by your kitchen garden or on your work desk would add some beauty to a bland space. You can either use it to grow some seeds serving as a starter planter or simply to place your succulents on. Additionally, you can also use it just as pieces for decoration by adding some beautiful colors and designs to it. Thumb pots can be very small like the size of your thumb or as large as your coffee mug. Remember not to make it out of air-dry clay if you wish to keep live plants in it.
2. Serving Tray For Salad:
A beautiful platter or serving tray can instantly liven up your meal by adding colors to your dining table. Moreover, it can also be a conversation starter for your guests who tend to notice beautiful artwork in an instant. If you are trying to get even thickness throughout the serving tray, simply use a rolling pin to roll out the tray, and with the help of the pinching technique, lift the clay from the sides to give it a tray-like shape. You can also build a couple more if your guests would love a gift or would like to buy one from you.
3. Beads For Your Jewelry:
Jewelry-making is a very rewarding aspect of pottery making and you can leverage pinch pottery technique to create some beautiful shapes that can be a part of your jewelry collection. You can even personalize your clay beads with your name etched or stamped on them. You can make anything with the pinch pottery technique for your jewelry collection, be it a beautiful bracelet or a choker necklace.
4. Clay Pet Miniatures:
If you have already mastered the pinch pottery technique and can add intricate details to your project, this idea is something you should try. Pet parents love to have something they can remember their furry friends by when they are gone. Even if that is not the case, they would either love a gift or even buy one just to look at because they are adorable just like their pets are. In Japan, this art is known as kawaii which has also become popular globally. Apart from prepping them up for sale, you can also add a few of your favorite clay characters in your office space or your room to create a personalized look.
5. Cups And Mugs:
Pinch cups and mugs allow for a higher level of customization where you can unleash your creativity. With each piece having its unique shape, design, and texture, it can be a highly functional personalized artwork for you or your clients who need something made just for them. When using the pinch pottery technique, you can also consider its design and ensure that it fits comfortably onto the holder’s hand making the drinking experience pleasant. Moreover, it can also be a relaxing and therapeutic experience for you. So, do try this the next time you think of experimenting with pinch pottery. After all, drinking your favorite coffee from a mug you made is a satisfying experience!
6. Clay Flowers:
While making flowers with clay using the pinch pottery method can be a bit tedious it is worth all the hassle. The result is just mesmerizing and beautiful to look at. Even though you might not be able to perfect it the first few tries, keep going at it and they can be some amazing paperweight for your office table. Or you can even make a bunch of flowers to add to a vase with stems and leaves as well.
7. Fruit Basket With Handle:
Keeping real fruits in a basket on your dining table can lead to wastage if the fruits are kept out for too long. If you are just going for the décor, why not replace the basket and fruits with their clay-based alternative? While it might seem that crafting the basket and fruits with the pinch pottery technique can be tedious it isn’t. They are nothing but basic shapes.
If you already know how to create a bowl, simply make a bigger one and add a handle to it by scoring the ends. Of course, you will also have to use the coiling technique to create the handle. You can use the Pengxiaomei Clay Scoring Tool to join the handle properly and reduce any risk of falling off once it dries. For fruits, except for bananas, start with a clay ball and shape them accordingly. It’s really easy! The trick is in the colors you add later and how you add some texture to make them unique.
8. Ornaments For Your Christmas Tree:
Take your holidays up a notch with some handmade ornaments for your Christmas tree. You don’t need a lot of tools to create some beautiful ornaments with the help of the pinch pottery technique. Collect items such as stamps, laces, or cookie cutters and you are good to go. With the help of a rolling pin, roll out the clay to give it some uniformity in terms of thickness. Now, cut out a basic shape with the help of cookie cutters and using your fingers mold them into any shape you want. Once you are done molding, add a small hole in the top portion to tie the lace.
Conclusion
Whether you are learning pottery art or trying to help your kid learn the basics, hand-building is a great way to start with. With its pinch pottery technique, you don’t have to shell out any money on expensive equipment and create artwork that is just as beautiful and personalized. Make sure you smooth and refine the surface with some water to get rid of any imperfections and you are good to go!
