The Bottle Form

The bottle shape—or vase—is one of the most common shapes we see in ceramics. Over the years the shape has changed and morphed from something useful (a vessel to hold water and/or other liquids) to something decorative (a vase to hold flowers or decorative items). For this project we are going to be pulling a bottle shape from one piece of clay, starting like a pinch pot and pulling upward to form the lip of the vase. 

---

Assignment:

The assignment is to create a pinch vase with even thicknesses on the sides that will hold water and looks like a vase. You have the option to make a pot that flares out or in, or is smoothed or has original texture of your finger marks.

Steps:

• grab a small tennis ball size of clay, make sure to wedge the clay (about 100 times) before you start to make your pinch pot
• consider what the size will be and start pinching from the bottom, working your way around the ball
• do not create one side and then try to match the other side, remember that ceramics is working 3 dimensionally in the round, so work around the clay
• be sure not to make extremely thick or extremely thin because it will crack when drying or during the bisque fire
​
Objective: To create a form by pinching and pulling clay from one large piece of clay without the use of tools.