How to Make Anasazi Pottery

Take a large lump of air drying or firing clay., Mold part of the clay into a ball about an inch and a half in diameter. , Flatten the ball into a circle about a fourth of an inch thick (the base of the pot). , Roughen the top edge. , Use a brush...

25 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Take a large lump of air drying or firing clay.

    Do this by holding one hand against the inside of the pot to support the wall, while shaping the outside of the pot with your finger at the same spot.

    When smoothing the sides of the pot, try to keep the walls of the pot the same thickness. , The clay has to be moist if the walls are to be textured. ,,,,, You can decorate the inside, outside, or both.
  2. Step 2: Mold part of the clay into a ball about an inch and a half in diameter.

  3. Step 3: Flatten the ball into a circle about a fourth of an inch thick (the base of the pot).

  4. Step 4: Roughen the top edge.

  5. Step 5: Use a brush dipped in water to moisten the top.

  6. Step 6: Roll a separate piece of clay between your hands or on the top of the table to form a long

  7. Step 7: narrow “snake.”

  8. Step 8: Wind the snake along the top edge of the pot’s base.

  9. Step 9: Make more snakes from clay and repeat this several times

  10. Step 10: winding the snakes on top of each other until the pots are about three inches high.

  11. Step 11: Smooth together the areas where the snakes touch each other

  12. Step 12: including where the first snake touches the pot’s base.

  13. Step 13: Rub the surface smooth with a smooth rock

  14. Step 14: a shell

  15. Step 15: or the back of a spoon.

  16. Step 16: Use a scallop shell

  17. Step 17: a piece of corncob

  18. Step 18: or string pressed into the soft clay to produce texture.

  19. Step 19: To scratch a design on the walls of the pot

  20. Step 20: let the pot dry a little.

  21. Step 21: Carve a design on the walls with a sharp stick once it is firm but still damp.

  22. Step 22: Let the pots dry for three or four days

  23. Step 23: or bake them at medium temperature for two or three hours.

  24. Step 24: Once the pots have dried

  25. Step 25: decorate them with tempera paints.

Detailed Guide

Do this by holding one hand against the inside of the pot to support the wall, while shaping the outside of the pot with your finger at the same spot.

When smoothing the sides of the pot, try to keep the walls of the pot the same thickness. , The clay has to be moist if the walls are to be textured. ,,,,, You can decorate the inside, outside, or both.

About the Author

M

Mary Hart

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