Coil Pottery for Beginners

The unbearable heat of Tucson summer has pushed me indoors, making it hard to finish the "Ancient Pottery Challenge". Here is my response to that situation, some basic coil pottery for beginners instruction. Learn how to make coil pots by learning these foundational skills in hand building pottery.
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[@AncientPottery]

I hope this video inspires some of you to get started making coil pottery. It's not hard, does not require any specialized equipment and is very therapeutic.

[@Alexander-rq9he]

Would you say the coil is about the thickness of a nickel or a quarter or a penny? It’s difficult for me to tell. Thank you 🙏

[@AncientPottery]

@@Alexander-rq9he something between a nickel and a quarter. No larger than a quarter and no thinner than a nickel

[@Alexander-rq9he]

@@AncientPottery That’s helpful! Thank you 🙏

[@martharetallick204]

You are making me want to head over to Marjon for some clay. I need more garden ollas.

[@lesterjennings4044]

I'm using this to keep my hands busy so I'm not smoking as much

[@DanCooper404]

Watching these videos because I want to make a Bronze Age-style cremation urn for myself out of the native clay from my property.

[@AncientPottery]

Awesome idea.

[@lynnann96]

I just sold my wheel yesterday. Bitter sweet. I have Parkinson’s and have lost strength in my arms. But, my lifetime ceramics experience has been hand building. I found your videos at the perfect moment! 🙏 onward!

[@AncientPottery]

Awesome, I hope my videos can help and inspire you,

[@critter4662]

God Bless

[@user-zd2zl5xp2m]

Does Clay have Toxic elements unsafe for 6month old babies?

[@owloko1349]

@@user-zd2zl5xp2m no

[@fivel256]

I never realized I wanted to try this. My whole property is this beautiful clean red clay. I didn't realize I could just add sand and it could be workable and fired right in my yard! Now to try and make some mugs or something to give it a shot 😊

[@AncientPottery]

Have fun!

[@MawoDuffer]

They always taught coil pottery in school because they didn’t have pottery wheels, but they never taught us to blend the coils together. I like this smoother method better.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, glad you learned something.

[@crystalsoulslayer]

Your whole channel has very strong PBS energy, which is a fantastic thing to have. Very informative and soothing. (The exact opposite of school. Zing!) The clay looks so satisfying to handle. squish squish squish squi

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much

[@ilsegomez8087]

I'm so glad I found this channel , I don't want use the wheel I want to learn how the original potters did it with their hands and handmade tools

[@tonyconley3826]

I just have gotten back into pottery after 13 years of not touching it. I must thank you for being so descriptive for those of us who are blind. I hope to someday become confident enough to not only gather clay, but make and fire it myself.

[@AncientPottery]

You are so welcome!

[@devzhy9687]

Few months ago I kept molding and forming the clay I gathered from wild. But I have always dreaded / feared on the firing part because it involves fire. After I done it for the first time, it's my favorite part of the process now. Weird. Firing clay, watch it as the flame hardens it, gathering the wood and stuff, it's so fun.

[@aubrey6538]

I am totally blind too and feel like he does a great job of giving the perfect amount of descriptive information. Not too much and not too little. I think his videos are great.

[@stacy2019]

I’ve always wanted to make pottery. Your video was the first pottery video I watched and now I am obsessed with harvesting my own clay and using all these ancient methods of making pottery. Your videos are always so informative and to the point. Thank you for making these videos ❤️

[@kevinm1872]

I can't tell you how great your videos are and how much they are helping me. I'm working on recreating Scandinavian pottery for the early medieval period and there is nobody making videos about that, but the Norse at the time were doing pinch and coil ceramics and your videos have been a tremendous help for me in recreating some period pieces. Thanks for all you do!

[@AncientPottery]

That is awesome, I would love to learn more about ancient Scandinavian pottery, waiting for your channel...

[@lynnann96]

I know my Nysted (Sammi) grandfather had very old ceramics he brought when he came over early 1900s. Various cousins took them. They were definitely hand built. That’s what inspired me to hand build. I second “can’t find much” about Norse ceramics. Mostly woodwork utensils. That’s what grandpa did.

[@aubrey6538]

Hello from Santan Valley, Arizona absolutely 100% agree with it being the temperature of the sun lol. Thanks for all your great content.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, my son's name is Aubrey

[@aubrey6538]

@@AncientPottery that is awesome. I have only met one other male named Aubrey. I think it’s cool that it can be used both for male and females.☮️💙

[@AncientPottery]

@@aubrey6538 it was my grandfather’s name.

[@dustinlamberta8009]

Cool to see such a skilled potter face challenges making a hard pot in hard conditions and return to making a basics video. The cycle goes round and round

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you liked it!

[@janewhite2331]

Your comments are always so constructively supportive, you’re a great teacher

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@owloko1349]

I loved that at first, since I had 0 experience I strugled even with your amazing advice. But now after making 3 diferente pots, I came back to watch it and I undertand you perfectly, love the effect, loved the video. Thanks to this videos I pick up this hobbie, and I'm in love! Always love drawing and creating in general, but making usefull things feels just right for flexing my creative muscles.

[@AncientPottery]

That's great. It can be a lot to take in all at once.

[@Cocohue777]

Hi im from the Philippines but currently residing in NZ. Im starting to learn more about pottery and yours is by far my favorite channel! I love that you use anything that's available and how you make things easy and simple to learn and remember! I am definitely signing up for your classes!

[@AncientPottery]

I’m glad that you are enjoying my videos. Thanks

[@louisemacdonald6348]

Hello from Ontario Canada, I love your knowledge and talent. I harvested some clay and I think I have too much sand gonna keep watching and learning. Thank you. I’m excited to learn a new art form.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, glad to be of help.

[@lindajohnson2950]

I am so thrilled with your videos! I am homeschooling 2 grandsons, and the oldest is 10. He got his hands into some clay at Vacation Bible School, and it was love at first touch. We watched your videos on making clay from dirt. We have great dirt here., and we wet processed it. It is in a sheet, instead of pillow case now. I'm hoping Monday it will be to the point of adding temper. I already had a love of making pottery, but had no idea of primitive pottery. It's been years since I worked any clay, due to cost. Finding your videos has inspired me and my grandson! Thanks so much for sharing your passion!!!

[@crowstudios300]

This was absolutely fantastic! I've had a lot of trouble trying to control the shape of my pottery but I think if I implement what you showed here, I'll have some better success! Thank you so much.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad to hear it, I hope it helps.

[@Temajuki]

This video helped me out so much. I started over for the second time yesterday since I was fighting against my project so bad. The third iteration using your techniques made it so much more enjoyable to make my pot and I was able to complete it from scratch within 5 hours. Thank you for the educational video 😊😊😊

[@AncientPottery]

Glad it helped!

[@bondpaz]

I love that little decoration pots behind you!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you. Some are mine and some are others.

[@questioner113]

I just discovered your channel yesterday. Thank you for patiently explaining the methods and the rationale. I love Native American pottery.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks and welcome.

[@carrierenee]

Hey Andy :) Thanks so much for this video, and all of your videos. This one in particular was just the right amount of helpful and encouraging for someone who has never touched clay before in any sort of artistic way. A little bit of hand-holding to start is always nice. Think I’m going to treat myself to one or more of your classes as a birthday gift. Thanks again :)

[@AncientPottery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GBobFree206]

Recently discovered your channel, and wanted to thank you for the fantastic content you have created. I recently retired to Thailand, and have access to some clay soils here on my GF's land and in neighboring areas. I think you've just inspired me to start doing some soil analysis here to see if I can begin to collect my own soil and extract the clay from it to make pottery.

[@AncientPottery]

Wow, thank you!

[@anniesaqib6648]

absolutely beautiful and detailed.

[@kuro4136]

Love your videos, I thought about trying pottery but seemed daunting till I stumbled on your channel. After deer season going to try this.

[@AncientPottery]

Well it's easier than deer hunting IMO. Thanks

[@renpixie]

Perfect . This video is exactly what I needed. Stay safe in this heat.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad to hear it. Have you collected any of that clay yet? I'm heading back up there next week if you need any help.

[@renpixie]

@@AncientPottery I’ve collected samples from the 180 spot that has the multiple colors indicated on the map. I’ve only processed 1 so far. It’s the blueish. I’ve also got a brown and a cream that has what appears to be some dark green streaks in it. I don’t have a grinder yet so I’ve levitated the blue and have got enough to putter with but haven’t worked with it yet.

[@kaiwolff442]

Love watching your videos. I'm looking to make ocarinas and you've given me a lot of useful information.

[@Tiragron99]

Love the representation in making tortillas XD

[@AncientPottery]

Mmmm, I love tortillas

[@Tiragron99]

@@AncientPottery I honestly never expected to get a reply on a 2 year old video, much less from the very content creator, thanks!! :D

[@d.o.l1998]

Found my new challenge. Learning pottery! Gratefullness 😎 From Casamance

[@AncientPottery]

Wonderful!

[@wolfgang4468]

Your content is so incredibly valuable and spares us so many hours and frustration. Thank you, Sir!

[@billythorough3787]

You have the best videos on pottery by far! Thanks so much for your attention to detail and sharing your passion. I am new at this and diving right in. A big part of it is because I found your videos and can't get enough! Thank you! About to go to website and get the master class.

[@Babesinthewood97]

Brilliant advice. And I love the aesthetics, words, music and ideas.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@ronaldlogan3525]

I love your videos. This is the second time I watched this one, and I have picked up on some more tips than I did last time.

[@AncientPottery]

I'm so glad this is useful to you. Thanks!

[@maylatt1]

thank you very much for the detailed videos. I find it so full of knowledge and inspiration. It gives me motivation to try it myself.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad to hear it, that is my point, that it is easy and you should try it yourself.

[@EuniceNkosi-xl2sy]

I'm just starting out pottery. Thanks

[@Molusckoll]

Greetings from Brazil. Love your videos sir. You make pottery acessible to beginners. Keep it up!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you very much!

[@wcouch8]

TY for some inspiration and instruction.

[@AncientPottery]

You are welcome

[@anteduluvian]

Some strong Bob Ross vibes somehow. Thank youfor this video!

[@2shivika]

Thank you for sharing. Learnt new ways.

[@AncientPottery]

My pleasure

[@christopherj5780]

I guess the new vogue term is an organic feel. Really good classes

[@AncientPottery]

Why did I say "organic feel" a lot in this video? Thanks

[@muphinnp]

Wow what an amazing video! So super helpful

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you think so!

[@goodpeople5676]

Wow lovely methods of ancient pottery. I saw it for the first-time and subscribers your channel. Loved watching n learning. Enjoy With Love from SAM Guwahati Assam INDIA

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks and welcome

[@Jog_l]

Cool Video! I'll send you some cool weather in excange ;)

[@AncientPottery]

Yes please!

[@honestlynate7922]

Congratulations on 100K!!🎉🎉🎉

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@bishnur3768]

This one is adorable ❤️

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@tegannottelling]

Thank you, very helpful

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome!

[@Dovid2000]

Excellent tutorial.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks!

[@derrickboatman1560]

You kind of remind me of Bob Ross but mud bro I love it I can't wait to start doing this with my children.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I think Bob Ross is great!

[@susanwhite1641]

Thank you, loved this video

[@AncientPottery]

You are welcome, glad you liked it.

[@Ladythyme]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mayday9528]

Beautiful Work

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you very much!

[@snehatrivedi8931]

This is incredible! ❤

[@angelapariat9332]

Amazing love watching your ideas

[@mattparker9726]

5:38 maybe a dumb question, but why would you want a round bottom pot? It would fall over when cooking?

[@AncientPottery]

If you were cooking over a campfire you could more easily level a round bottomed pot than a flat bottomed one. Also a round bottom is stronger. I make replicas of ancient pottery usually and that what they used centuries ago.

[@martharetallick204]

For a garden olla.

[@tinaashworth8282]

So i found some clay i did not add sand, my little pinch pot cracked on the second day of drying, i think i need to add sand and pinch better, I have long fingernails so i guess i will cut them as they get in the way of pinching. Any advice would be appreciated..

[@Downeastwaves]

Thanks 😊

[@hulkamania5071]

thanks gonna try

[@AncientPottery]

Have fun

[@mattparker9726]

8:07 what would be the advantage of a thick walled pot? Can you make the pot look good without thinning it?

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, you can make a nice pot with thick walls. But by pinching the walls thinner you use far less clay and keep the pot lighter.

[@darkdevil905]

You are like my Bob Ross of pottery

[@renatehaeckler9843]

My whole farm is clay soil. I want to use it to make ollas for my garden. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to make clay containers more porous, I know you did a lot of them to seal them, this would be the opposite - like would a rougher exterior help the water seep out better? What about working in some organic matter like chopped straw? Or would that make the pot explode when I fire it? Anyways thanks for all the informative videos, this one seems like it would give the right shape for a gardening olla.

[@hairyballbastic8943]

Do you happen to have any vids on making copper oxide paints from scrap metal?

[@AncientPottery]

No but that would make a good video. I know people that make iron oxide paints from rust.

[@wanderingIvy67]

This is the second video I've watched of yours but there isn't a link provided in the upper right corner like you said.

[@AncientPottery]

I just checked and the cards are in place own this video. 2 of them, the puki video and the gourd scraper video. Perhaps its your browser or however you are viewing KZbin. For example I watch KZbin on my AppleTV and the cards don't appear for me. Sorry for any confusion.

[@RiyaHamid-yb5kg]

Hi Andy, thank you for the video. Would you mind sharing what clay body you are using?

[@AncientPottery]

It is a local clay that I dig and process myself

[@niklas3449]

Hi Andy. I'm just getting started with all of this, and I'm thinking of buying my clay at first. What kind of clay should I be looking for? If there is grog in the clay, is that same as having sand in it? Thanks!

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, grog and sand are two different types of temper, they serve the same purpose. You can try raku clay which comes heavily tempered, or add temper to your favorite clay.

[@niklas3449]

@@AncientPottery thanks!!

[@jennyfranklin514]

Andy, thank you so much for all your videos... Yes, I find them to be both inspiring AND encouraging. I have a 'suspension' question for you. In a different video you said that the clay will 'settle', in wet processing. Well .... I have a bunch of clay in a bucket of water (for 2-3 days now), and there's still clay suspended in water. Is that normal? Do I just pour it off? Does it mean that I have more dirt/impurities in the clay? What have I done wrong?

[@AncientPottery]

Some clays just never settle. It is caused by the PH of the clay, your clay is probably very basic. Try pouring some vinegar into your clay suspension, that may help a lot. I once had one that nothing helped and I just had to let it evaporate down.

[@shanemiller285]

Been watching you a bit bud not sure what to do after iv fired my pottery like glazing and make sure it's ok for water to be put in the pot love to know something on glazing finishing the pot up thanks looking forward to watching all your videos

[@AncientPottery]

I would like to encourage you to think beyond the glaze. Here are some videos to get you thinking of other options kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4m2i52hl5J9p7M kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYnbeWybhrVrn5o

[@user-qg7sy7yr5n]

How long does your pottery take to dry before you are ready to fire? Here in NC it is often pretty humid. I'm finding that my forms seem to take up to a week to even start to dry up enough to be firm enough to handle without leaving dents or marks on the surface.

[@AncientPottery]

Wow, mine could dry up that much in an hour or two. But a lot depends on the humidity which can fluctuate a lot.

[@kaikssitole7297]

After finished to make a pot,for how should you wait to do painting

[@AncientPottery]

Just until the pot is not sticky anymore

[@Halfbakedceramics]

Nice video, but I noticed you do not score and slip to join your coils. I am assuming you do not have an issue with the coils separating from each other?

[@AncientPottery]

It has to do with the way I attach my coils with a firm pinch, this video explains it kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4q6kJxroMiHa7s

[@mattparker9726]

10:55 can I just use a stick? I don't have any gourds, an I'm not spending any money. I have sticks and I have dirt. I bought some plates because I needed them, but also for a template. I have mugs too. And Chinese style soup spoons, so I can copy a lot of dish wares, but I also want to make bricks. Can you fire bricks in a primitive way?

[@AncientPottery]

Sure, use whatever you have handy. And yes, you can fire bricks outdoors, check out this video for exactly that kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2LFnpmojL-fsKs

[@TonyMichealNoodle77]

What is the best clay to buy if you're not making your own? Is air drying good enough for firing?

[@AncientPottery]

No idea, I don't ever buy clay.

[@user-ff6gt7xw3k]

Can you tell me what type of clay you use and where to buy it. Thank you

[@AncientPottery]

It is wild clay that I dig and process myself - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZKVYX2hgKt0mac

[@MrMiguelau]

What’s the background/intro music?

[@paulmccarthyaz]

Phoenician here.... Does your style of pottery support the planting of succulents or cacti within?

[@AncientPottery]

Yes but over time it can start to show hard water deposits just like Mexican earthenware planters.

[@user-zd2zl5xp2m]

Is clay toxic or metallic safe for 6month old to touch?

[@1963Annette]

My clay keeps drying out what type of clay are you using thanks

[@AncientPottery]

This is a wild clay I dig myself from near Tucson. Sometimes, especially when the weather is very dry, you have to work hard to keep your clay from drying out while you work. Add moisture regularly and wrap with plastic whenever you aren't working.

[@fernlintner65]

I need to know the best clay to use for this and where to get it i deeply want to do this

[@AncientPottery]

I dig my own near Tucson, Arizona. So if you aren't nearby I can't help you, but you can always buy clay or dig some near you.

[@KvichakSmith]

Fun stuff

[@lisalovelylpa]

That clay looks and sounds very sandy. Is it sandy ? How much sand would you suggest adding to a store bought clay that has no sand ? I thinking clay with some sand would be best for my gas kiln I building as I think the heating up might be a rocky climb lol You have classes … hmmmm Thanks for the video.

[@AncientPottery]

Yes, I add about 20% sand to my wild clays. The same amount should work well for store bought clay. Have you seen this video where I am using and experimenting with commercial clays kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGLdqIenodpnfas

[@annewatkis5824]

Why bother with coils when you can mould around an object?

[@LadytheKingsmother]

Hi Andy, How did you narrow it at the top ? I always end up having a huge opening

[@AncientPottery]

It’s called compression pinch and it is demonstrated in the video.

[@lagodniekrem8973]

Hello begginer here, I have a question: How long should I leave my clay to dry before I add another coil on? I am experiencing problems with collapsing clay on my pot, thank you

[@AncientPottery]

It depends on your clay. Some clays are very soft and need to firm up a lot before you can add another coil. Other clays like the one I am using in this video have lots of wet strength and can be coiled and coiled without any problems. So it's hard for me to generalize about how long to wait, you will need to determine when your clay is firm enough to hold up another coil. Or perhaps your clay is unsuitable for hand building.

[@lagodniekrem8973]

@@AncientPottery Thanks for your detailed explanation sir

[@arturobmazermeno2315]

I am com Mexico.

[@jacobhempel1855]

When it comes to the bonding pinch whenever you’re putting on another coil, how do you avoid pressing down on your workpiece? I have found that I tend to crack the workpiece whenever I do that. :(

[@AncientPottery]

The other finger on the inside of the pot is important too. You are pressing against that finger

[@humboldtchick87]

A year later still learning

[@AncientPottery]

Its a lifelong pursuit

[@marianaribeiro32]

Hi Andy, what clay do you use for you pottery?

[@AncientPottery]

I call it "Old Sonoita Highway Red" I dig it southeast of Tucson.

[@christopherj5780]

Earthen isnt "food grade" is it peace pipe grade?

[@AncientPottery]

I eat out of it, the FDA may disagree but I disagree with the federal government on a number of issues.

[@martharetallick204]

@@AncientPottery Spoken like a true Arizonan. I also have a number of disagreements with the federal government.

[@lesterjennings4044]

Will smooth creek stones work for rib tool

[@AncientPottery]

It is good to have a sharper edge than most creek stones have. You can make one by cutting out a kidney shape from a plastic jug, or with gourd as I have or from a coconut shell.

[@bonniibear]

Curse my teacher for picking the hardest project this quarter

[@grivolas2144]

If we take this technique to its extreme we can make a life size terracotta army of 800+ and bury it with the emperor.

[@alphonsechanekayebone7871]

Comment vous faites pour les dessins décoratifs ?

[@AncientPottery]

kzbin.info9OFBk5j_ZaI?feature=share

[@springbloom5940]

Do you happen to have a video from build, to fired finish?

[@AncientPottery]

No, I have never made a video like that although it has crossed my mind. It's just that the whole process takes so long from forming through decorating to firing, sometimes months. And a video needs to be made in about a week. It could be done but would take a lot of patience and planning,

[@angelapennock2639]

Did they use spoons in ancient pottery?

[@AncientPottery]

Did this video claim to be making an authentic replica? No, it is just some basic coil pottery instructions.

[@mattparker9726]

this video is for me! Also, I asked this before, but can you use used motor oil as a glaze? I have a bunch and I want to get rid of it.

[@AncientPottery]

Yuck, no.

[@tinyflowersvegandharmactrTAO]

Can i do this with only one hand?

[@AncientPottery]

beats me

[@kevinkeung6158]

gees was beginning was like soooooo dramatic

[@AncientPottery]

You have to survive a summer in Tucson to understand.

[@martharetallick204]

You should see us when the monsoon season starts.

[@suzannemacias3454]

Could I cover this with epoxy?

[@AncientPottery]

I suppose but not sure why you would want to

[@dianeclegg6893]

What clay do you use?

[@AncientPottery]

I dig my own clay from nature.

[@dianeclegg6893]

@@AncientPottery Wow, you dig your own clay. I'm trying that right now myself but now know I will not be doing that with my class. Love your videos!

[@Hadassah-KaquoliMReno]

Don’t have a computer, my eyes don’t see so well on my phone.

[@AncientPottery]

Sorry to hear that

[@user-fd9kg7eu2x]

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