My coiled pot construction finally held its shape through the entire drying process

I've been practicing coil building for weeks but my pieces always warped or cracked before bisque firing. This time, I kept the clay at a more consistent moisture level and supported the walls as I worked, and it dried perfectly. How do you manage clay humidity during hand-building to prevent deformation?

3 comments

3 Comments

betty_wood57d ago

Keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby to mist the clay as you work. I always cover my pieces with a plastic bag between sessions, which slows drying and prevents cracks. For larger coils, I sometimes wrap them in damp newspaper to maintain even moisture. It's also crucial to work in a room with stable humidity, so avoid direct sunlight or drafts. Once, I left a piece near a vent and it warped overnight, so now I'm meticulous about placement.

hugom407d ago

Nice work. I once had a pot dry so unevenly it cracked like a desert floor... still mastering the art of the damp box, myself.

william_williams754d ago

What about when you forget to check the weather? I once left a coil pot outside to dry, and a rainstorm ruined it completely. It became so soft I could poke holes in it with my finger. After that, I brought it inside but it never held its shape again. Now I'm paranoid about humidity levels even on sunny days.