A pinch pot is a small pot made by pressing your thumb into a ball of clay and pinching the walls thinner and higher as you turn it in your hand. It is the simplest hand-building technique and a classic first project.
What Is Pinch Pot?
All you need for a pinch pot is a ball of clay that fits in your palm. Press your thumb into the centre, leaving a base about as thick as your finger, then pinch the wall between thumb and fingers in small, even steps, turning the ball as you go. Working slowly and evenly keeps the wall from cracking.
Pinching teaches how clay moves, how quickly it dries and how thin it can go, which is why many classes start with it. Pinch pots can become bowls, cups, little planters or animals, and two pinch pots joined rim to rim make a hollow form for sculpture or a rattle.
If the rim starts to crack, smooth it with a damp finger and keep the clay a little moister. Let the pot firm up to leather hard before refining the shape or adding a foot.
Enclosed forms made from joined pinch pots need a small hole so air and steam can escape in the kiln. With practice, pinching can produce surprisingly fine, delicate pieces.
This pottery glossary entry from Le Studio Art Space is general educational content. Always follow the clay, glaze and kiln makers’ data for your own materials and equipment.