Lesson 4: Decorated Coil Vase

 Ceramics

Coil Method: Coil Vase with Decorations

Const. 2-3 Classes / Dry Period:  1 Week | Glazing: 1-2 Classes / Kiln Firing : 1 Day

Vocabulary

Score: Scratches made on the clay to rough the surface. 
Slip: Getting the clay wet (the scored portions) to create a fine stick mud. 

Score and slip is used to attach two pieces of clay together.

Utah Standards                                                                                  

Standard 7-8.V.CR.5    
Standard L2.V.CR.3                

Directions

1. Base:  Flat a piece of clay to about ¼ thick using the rolling pin. Then use something round to mark the base of the vase. The lid of the glazing bottle works really well for this step. Cut it out using one the ceramics tool.  
2. Start Making Coils: Roll some clay like if you were making clay rope or snakes. Make sure to roll the clay from the tips of your finger to the hill of your palm. Each coil should not get thicker than your thumb or thinner than your pinky. So keep an eye out for how thick they get.
3. Stack them high:  Lay the coil around the edge of the base and overlap them enough to cut it into a perfect donut. Or keep piling them on top of itself as you go around the base. Remember to score and slip each time a coil overlaps another. 
4. Decorations: You will have to add some decorations to your project so make sure to plan that out as well. During your construction when you reach about 3 inches high, stop with the coils and add your decorations according to your theme. 
5. Resume Coil Construction: After you are done with your decorations, then you resume with the coil construction until the project is completed. 

 

Goal: Your goal is a vase that is 6 inches tall, made out of coils with some decorations. You can watch this video, and visit my YouTube channel, 1 Crazy Art Teacher for more ideas.

Lesson Plan