Beans and Ferdinand want to make a coil pot. They have to decide if it is going to be decorative or functional. They want to be able to use it every day so it is functional.

First, they have to get there clay for the pot. Will they use white earthen ware clay? Or will they use red terracotta clay? They decide to use white earthen ware clay, they have to wedge it first. Wedging clay is a process used to get rid of air bubbles. You press down on the clay with the palm of your hands in a repetitive motion.

To keep the clay from drying out, you will need a plastic bag of some sort and a t-shirt or towel to keep it moist. Wrap your project up in the wet towel to keep it workable. 

They will have to use several tools in order to make the pot they desire. 

Modeling spatulas are used to smooth clay.

Fettling knives are used to cut clay.

Forks are used to score clay together.

A modeling modeler is used to model and shape clay into the way you want.

A needle tool is used to create holes in clay and small designs.

Modeling liner is used to clean up the boogers in a work of clay.

A double ball stylus tool is used to clean up boogers and produce clean designs.

A wire clay cutter is used to slice clay.

A fine point wipe away tool is used to clean up clay.

A wireloop Sgrafitto tool is used to create deep lines within clay.

A large double-tipped wipe away tool is used to clean up boogers on clay.

To begin, they need to make a base for the pot. Beans and Ferdinand rolled out a slab base, they need to cut out the shape they want for it. The base should be about a half inch thick. Any thicker and the pot has the potential to explode. 

Vertical coil

Beans and Ferdinand need to decide whether or not they want to use vertical coils, horizontal coils, or spiral coils. Also, whether or not the coils will show or get smoothed together. 

Horizontal coil

Spiral Coil

Once they decide what coils to use, construction begins, they need to score the base and the coils getting attached to the base. They will now slip both. The slip acts like glue for the clay. Beans and Ferdinand need to knit the clay together to make sure it stays. Knitting is bringing clay from one side to the other to make it more stable.

To make it unique, they can have additive, subtractive and negative detail.

Once they decide what they want it to look like, the two friends can either add the design into the clay or wait to add it when they glaze it.

Once they make their clay pot, they have to let it set out and dry for at least two weeks. After it’s dry, you have the ability to sand the pot to make it extra smooth. At this dry stage, it is called green ware. 

Once it is all dried out, they need to put the pot in the kiln to be bisque fired into bisque ware. (04/1940 degrees F) Once it comes out of the kiln, the bisque ware can be sanded, if needed, and rinsed.

After the pot comes out of the kiln, Beans and Ferdinand get to glaze the vessel. After it has been glazed, it goes in the kiln for a second time to be glaze fired. This is called glaze ware. (05-06/1915 degrees F)