Is It Viable to Use Household Items as Pottery Tools?

Gathering and Preparing Clay

Using household items to craft pottery tools is a common practice in traditional pottery making. For instance, a wire coat hanger can be bent and sharpened to create a makeshift wire cutter for shaping and trimming clay. A metal spoon or a wooden spoon can be used to mix and blend the clay with added materials like sand or sawdust for added strength and durability. When sourcing clay, look for areas with high concentrations of loam or clay deposits, and test the quality by kneading and molding the clay to check for pliability and workability.

Creating Shaping and Forming Tools

A household item like a wooden skewer or a metal knitting needle can be used to create a tool for centering and shaping the clay on a turning surface. A metal file or a piece of sandpaper can be used to smooth out the edges and surface of the pottery. For coil building, use a ruler or a straightedge to create uniform coils, and a household item like a metal ruler or a wooden dowel can be used to shape and smooth out the coils as they are stacked. When making the coils, use a consistent thickness to ensure even drying and firing.

Firing and Waterproofing

When it comes to firing, household items like a metal colander or a metal mesh can be used to create a makeshift kiln or pit firing setup. For pit firing, dig a shallow pit and line it with a mixture of clay and sawdust to create a refractory bed. Add the pottery to the pit and cover it with a layer of clay and sawdust, then light a fire and let it burn out before allowing the pottery to cool. To waterproof the pottery, apply a layer of beeswax or plant resin, or use a mixture of linseed oil and beeswax to create a protective coating.