This session shows you how to make the classic pinch pot with clay. Our civilisations have been crafting and working with clay earth for many centuries and the basic bowl shape would have allowed them to hold and carry fluids, oils and foods. You could in fact, with a few more processes (the correct clay, glazing and firing), still use a pinch pot method to design a bowl for use in your home. Depending on the size that you make them, you could use your pinch pot to keep keys in, loose change, jewellery and many other things. They also make wonderful personal gifts for friends and family alike. You can either look closer at the earth on your walks and see if you have any natural clay sources close to your home which we would always recommend to add something extra and more personal to your nature art adventures (looking near rivers and streams can be one way of finding out), or you could purchase clay at an art store on an online source. Follow the video and discover how to make beautiful pinch pots.
For this activity you will need:
clay, bowl of water, pencil, twig, cloth to wipe hands on, apron, optionals: wire for cutting through the clay - like a cheese wire, objects and items for mark making and decorative use.
Whilst using this art resource to inspire learning, know you are helping you and your family's wellbeing like this:
1) Get Active - taking a family walk to collect the initial clay resource not only gets you out and walking but also learning about the local environment, waterways and physical geography.
2) Keep Learning - Learning how to pass on these simple arts and crafts activities can bring joy to the teacher, the maker and the receiver. Making a pinch pot has a definite place in history and our cultural development - take the opportunity to look at the pots and bowls of our ancestors to see how they decorated theirs and what functions they had.
3) Be Mindful - Take your time when looking for and collecting clay, embed yourself deeply in your local surroundings and be mindful that there is a whole planet underneath our paved existence. This kind of nature connection is calming to our nervous systems. Making and creating objects is also an activity that develops focus in our minds and brings about satisfaction and calm.
4) Practice Kindness - Remember that everyone's outcome will differ, respond with enthusiasm and respect and watch your child's confidence grow.
5) Think Community - Share these pots by gifting them to your family, friends, neighbours and community.
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