How to Improve the Strength of Coil-Built Forms Using an Ancient Technique Joyce Michaud

I have never done much coil building, but after seeing Joyce Michaud's DVD Hand Thrown: East Asian Wedged Coil Technique, I am thinking about reacquainting myself with the good ol' coil. In this DVD, Joyce demonstrates the traditional east Asian coil technique, which combines coiling with potter's wheel concepts.

In this clip, Joyce shows us how to "hand throw" with the grace and fluidity of someone who has been doing this for a long time (I am sure it is a lot harder than she makes it look). During this demonstration, she explains how this method can make work more structurally sound because it compresses and aligns the clay particles with the form, which can then open the doors for trying new and more-challenging forms. Along the way, she passes on great tips such as a cool way to establish a concave foot on a coil-built piece. - Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor