You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been dabbling into the wonderful world of ceramics! Like many creatives I’m always looking for new things to try. So last year I tried my hand at handbuilding with clay, and I loved it immediately. There’s just something so therapeutic about shaping the clay with your own two hands.
Handbuilding with clay is a fun and hands-on way to create cool ceramics without needing a potter’s wheel. It’s been around for ages and lets you use simple tools and your hands to shape the clay.
There are a few basic techniques: pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction. Pinch pots are made by squeezing a ball of clay into a shape with your fingers. Coil building involves rolling out long ropes of clay and stacking them to make things like bowls or vases. Slab construction is all about rolling out flat pieces of clay, cutting them up, and sticking them together.
What’s great about handbuilding is that anyone can do it, from total beginners to experienced artists. It’s a super direct and intuitive way to work with clay, and the results are always unique and personal. Plus, it’s really satisfying to get your hands dirty and see something you’ve made come to life. I love the fact that it’s so accessible, all you need is a block of clay, your own hands and maybe some tools that you probably already have. No need for an expensive potter’s wheel or to learn how to throw.
If you would like to try handbuilding yourself, you’re invited to Clay Club: a ceramics workshop at my studio consisting of 2 creative evenings: the first evening we build our pieces, the second one we glaze them!
