My work is exclusively handbuilt using slabs, sprig molds, and pinching techniques. Many of my forms, including the chocolate pot (a porcelain or metal container designed to serve hot chocolate), are inspired by French Limoges pottery. I use red earthenware with white slip to provide the user a contrast of rich earth tones and a pristine white surface to view the decorations and bright colors. The floral designs I carve are inspired by 17th-century embroidery. 

Rolling the Slab

Begin by rolling out a large slab approximately 3/16 inch thick. You will need the slab to be large enough for the body, spout, bottom, a strip for the foot ring, and the gallery. The slab is ready to be used when it reaches soft leather hard, as it will be able to tolerate bending and shaping without cracking. The thickness and stiffness of the slab ensure the slab will not collapse when formed into a cylinder. Once the slab is the desired stiffness, use a rubber rib to smooth out any texture and compress the clay particles. 

Forming the Cylinder

To form a cylinder, cut out an 8½ × 11-inch rectangle from the slab. Bevel the 8½-inch sides at a 45° angle using a dull cutting tool or bevel cutter. Carefully lift the slab on end and roll it into a cylinder. Score and slip the beveled ends, then join the ends together by using one hand to smooth the seam and one hand to support the pot from the inside (1). Use a small rubber rib and a damp sponge to thoroughly smooth the seam. Do this to the inside seam in the cylinder as well.

1 Score, slip, and join the ends of a beveled rectangular slab. Smooth the seam.2 Cut out a dart from both sides of the base. Join the edges to make a seam.

Shaping the Pot

To shape the bottom, cut out a small, 1-inch-wide triangular dart from the end you choose to be the bottom. Be careful not to make the dart too large because it will create an unstable base for the pot. The seam is the best place to make the first dart. 

Once the first triangle is cut out, use it as a template to cut out a second triangle (2). The two triangular darts should be directly across from each other. Using your fingers, pinch the edges of the darts to create a beveled edge, then score, slip, and join the edges to make a seam. Transfer the cylinder to a banding wheel. While supporting the cylinder with the opposite hand, use a rasp to remove excess clay on the dart seams and round out the form (3).

For the bottom, cut out a circle about 3 inches in diameter from the leftover slab. Score and slip the cylinder and the circle where the parts will meet. Place the circle on the opening of the pot. Compress the circle to the pot using your thumb. Then, use your other thumb and index finger to smooth the opening of the cylinder into the circle bottom (4). Smooth the bottom until no seam is showing.

3 Use a rasp to remove excess clay on the dart seams and round out the form.4 Place a circular slab on the bottom of the pot, then compress and smooth the seam.

Adding Undulations

Flip the pot over so that the bottom of the pot is directly on a board or banding wheel. Use a damp sponge folded over the rim to smooth it out and dampen it slightly. Once the rim is slightly pliable, begin adding undulations by spreading your thumb and index finger approximately 1–1½ inches wide over the outside of the rim while your index finger on the opposite hand gently pushes the rim out from the inside, between the fingers, to create a curve (5). Repeat this process until you have undulations all the way around the rim.

To add shape to the body, start adding a small, even belly all the way around the bottom of the pot. Use one hand to support the top while performing a scooping motion with the other hand. Once you have a small belly, begin adding undulation to the body by scooping one finger on the inside of the pot directly between the middle and ring finger of the supporting hand (6). Smooth any cracks with a finger or damp sponge. Using the banding wheel, ensure the undulations are even all around the pot. 

5 Flip the pot over and add undulations to the rim.6 Push out a belly and undulations in the body of the pot.

Adding a Foot

To begin adding the foot ring, cut out a long, ½-inch-wide strip from the leftover slab. Smooth it out with a sponge to moisten the strip and make it pliable. Flip the pot over so the bottom is facing up. Score and slip the bottom of the pot along with one edge of the strip. Attach the strip to the bottom, cutting off any excess. Bevel the ends of the strip and join the ends to each other. Add undulations by spacing the thumb and index finger ½–1 inch apart and rounding out in between with the opposite hand (7). Press the foot ring out slightly to create a stable base for the pot.

Attaching a Spout

Cut out a 3½-inch circle from the leftover slab for the spout. Place the circle against the pot on the opposite side of the seam, about 2½ inches from the rim. Using a needle tool or cutting tool, trace the bottom half of the circle to make a guide for cutting an opening for the spout. After the opening is cut out, score and slip the edge of the spout that will attach to the pot as well as the edges around the opening. Attach the spout to the pot and use your thumb to create a smooth transition between the spout and the pot (8). 

7 Add a ½-inch strip to create a foot ring, then add undulations to the foot. 8 Cut out an opening for the spout, then cut a large, circular slab spout and attach.

Creating the Gallery and Lid

The gallery is the part of the pot that the lid will sit on. To create a gallery, cut a ½-inch-wide strip from the slab. Use a sponge to moisten the strip and make it pliable. Score and slip the edge of the gallery that will attach to the pot. Score and slip the pot where the gallery will attach. This will be about ½ inch down from the rim. The gallery should stretch from one side of the spout opening to the other side. Use one hand to hold the end of the strip while the other hand attaches the strip. After the strip is in place, firmly press the strip into the walls of the pot using the thumb and index finger of one hand while supporting the pot with the other (9). With your thumb and index finger on the gallery, spin the pot on the banding wheel to feel for any high or low spots. Once the gallery is level, smooth out the join with a rubber-tipped tool or damp paintbrush to keep it from cracking. 

Pinching the Lid 

The lid is made using pinching techniques. Grab a chunk of clay slightly smaller than a baseball, wedge, and form it into a ball. Create a pinch pot by inserting your thumb in the ball, pinching the walls and bottom thin with your thumb and index finger (10). Use a rasp to smooth out and shape the lid. The lid should be about the same thickness as the pot.

9 Add a strip of clay around the rim for the gallery, leaving space around the spout. 10 Create a lid from an oval pinch pot. Use a rasp to refine and make the lid light.

Applying Slip, Knob, and Handle

Pull two handles, a long one and a short one. Set these aside to firm up. They will be attached after the slip is applied. 

Apply 2–3 layers of white slip to the outside of the lid and pot with a 2-inch hake brush (11). Use up and down strokes. The thinner the slip, the more layers needed. 

While the slip is drying, make the knob by pressing a small piece of clay into a sprig mold. Repeat this until you have two sprigs. Join the sprigs together to make a knob for the lid (12). Once the knob is firm enough to handle without damaging its textures, score, slip, and attach the knob to the center of the lid. Be careful not to stain the white slip with the red clay. Attach the long handle to the pot, then attach the short handle under it (13). 

11 Apply three coats of white slip to the outside body and lid, avoiding the foot ring.12 Join two pressed sprigs together to create a knob. Attach the knob to the lid.

13 Attach a long handle. Add a small handle underneath along with embellishments.14 Carve decorations into the pot and lid using a carving stylus.

Carving the Pot

Once the pot is at the dry leather-
hard stage, begin carving decoration into the surface using a carving stylus (14). Tip #1: You can make a stylus using the wooden handle of an old tool and rotary tool bits. Tip #2: Place a plastic bag under the pot to collect crumbs for easy cleanup. Hold the pot while you carve deep lines. Use a stiff paint brush to brush away any crumbs from the inside of the lines. Carve a design into the lid, then let the lid and pot dry. The drying process for earthenware is forgiving. If the pot is at a dry leather-hard stage, it can be lightly covered with plastic to dry without causing issues. Once bone dry, bisque fire it to cone 04–02. 

15 Apply black underglaze to the bisque-fired pot. Let dry for several minutes.16 Wipe back underglaze using a damp sponge and a white eraser sponge.

17 Apply colored underglaze. Let dry, then apply clear glaze over the underglaze.

Adding Color

To fill in the carved lines, apply a slightly thinned-down black underglaze to the bisque-fired pot using a sumi brush (15). Let  the underglaze dry for several minutes, then wipe it back from the raised surface using a damp sponge (16), leaving the black underglaze in the carved lines. Use a white sponge eraser to clean up any leftover underglaze. 

Next, apply 1–3 coats of thinned-down colored underglaze to the design using a small round brush or a liner brush (17). Let dry. Finally, apply 2–3 coats of clear glaze over the underglaze using up and down strokes with a fan brush. Fire to cone 04–02. 

Kimberly Hilligoss studied ceramics at the University of Houston Clear Lake. See more of her work on Instagram at @kimberlyhilligoss.

Topics: Ceramic Decorating Techniques, Handbuilding Techniques

Related Content