How to make pinch pot vases - easy, fun, and versatile handbuilding project

Gina demonstrates how pinch pots are made and how to use them to make vases.
0:26 - overview
1:27 - what you’ll need
3:08 - making a pinch pot
7:25 - attaching the pinch pots together
12:18 - smoothing your form
17:10 - altering the form
18:32 - making a simple opening and rim
23:16 - making a longer neck
25:39 - attaching the neck
35:57 - adding a foot and other detail options
42:19 - finishing up
Still Life Ceramics is a pottery studio in Los Angeles. Learn more at www.stilllifeceramics.com/ and www.still-life-studio.com/
Follow us on Instagram: / still_life_ceramics
/ still_life_studio.sm
The teacher in this video is Gina Zycher:
www.ginazycher.com/
/ glittermountain

[@alextribute3432]

This is by far the best pinch pot / hand building tutorial I’ve seen, the others were informative but the pieces they made were very traditional and old fashioned so not very inspiring...Thank you so much! I’d love to see how you finish off and also the pot with the lid. I’m sharing this with friends who I did a ceramics tutorial with, we’re based in Barcelona from all different places (UK, Spain, Hungary and Argentina) so you have an international following :)

[@ginazycher]

Thanks so much, Alex! Hello from Los Angeles!

[@nicholleholmgren6280]

Same! I like how modern this feels!

[@twotuber7231]

I am also also interested to know what was involved in finishing it off

[@alisonrabinovici4981]

I’m a beginner - at nearly 70, starting weekly classes. This is amazing! I hadn’t thought of building pots at home, but definitely possible with this excellent tuition! 😇

[@whowhy9108]

5 thumbs down? What's wrong with people?! This was by far the best video on the subject I've come across, packed with "how to" tips and mesmerising to watch a journey of a slab of clay turning into a beautiful object. Thank you 🌹

[@ginazycher]

Thank you for having my back! 😂💖

[@aya12121]

love this! thank you so much, we're still in lockdown in aus and i couldn't be spending my time better!

[@one-nation-under-god7622]

I was so excited to find you. Wow! You are amazingly gifted! Gorgeous pots! I am so excited to watch more and these finished. ❤️

[@jennyp7084]

This is by far the most thorough tutorial for making beautiful pinch pots on You Tube. I’ve made three little vases and have rewatched the video many times while pinching. Thank you!

[@DollTronic]

So glad I stumbled across this! Cant wait to try it out, thanks.

[@danayambouranis4177]

Can't wait to make this little beauty. Thank you 🤗

[@zoelederman744]

This is the most helpful pinching video I’ve seen! I’m so happy with my attempt. I’d love to see a video on how to add a lid! Thank you so much for sharing

[@L.MicheleB]

Not a lot of hand building videos out there. Thank u. Ive subscribed☺

[@iheartmakeup113]

The way you made the foot honestly blew my mind !!! Thank you so much for this tutorial

[@ginazycher]

Ha! I can't roll a coil with my palm - they turn out all wonky! Thanks for watching!

[@donnanancarrow4816]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I am a big fan of hand-building so will give these vases a try. They are awesome .

[@tannermcalpin4045]

I love your videos! Please make more, you’re amazing!

[@tjkbdb]

Thank you so much for this!! You are an amazing teacher! xx

[@2Langdon]

Great! Really useful for a complete beginner, thank you.

[@anniegastin8628]

Love your approach and attitude. Not to mention skill. Thanks

[@katiakatiakat]

This is an excellent tutorial! So thorough and detailed and a lovely manner. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@mothy90]

This is such a thorough tutorial, thank you for sharing this! I'm a beginner and I've been having trouble making a good evenly smooth pinch pot, this helped me so much ❤️

[@judyironside9925]

Thank you from Judy, Brighton UK. I really enjoy your clear and straight forward tutorial and I look forward to following you for more.

[@rutilopata8294]

And again, I truly enjoyed this all though I have been potting over 25 years:) your love of clay is evident and transfers even over this sterile screen, thank you again for taking this precious time to share💐

[@StillLifeCeramics]

So nice of you to say! Thank you!!

[@hilarylhahn1089]

Loved seeing this and amazing how smooth you got this!

[@rutilopata8294]

Very lovely, patient, elementary video! Loved the forearm coilling✨🦋🤓

[@donalhartman6235]

Excellent...I'm starting out in pottery and this video on pinch pots is a huge help.

[@alexandrasanches2473]

Very very very well explained! Thankyou a lot! Big hug!

[@casadartebosi2152]

Thank you so much, I can see your love for clay, grazie ancora, Silvia

[@sandramoreira6775]

Amei sua aula em cerâmica de forma prática. Gratidão!

[@kbee1735]

Awesome video!! Thanks for taping!!👍🇨🇦

[@134679jen]

Best pinch pot video I've seen! Thanks for including how you make your foot😊

[@lottieroberts1596]

Gorgeous video, so helpful! I'd love to see one on the cute pots xxx

[@andreameehan6390]

Thanks for that! That was really informative and easy to watch.

[@schmokeandapancake444]

I’ve been working with clay for a few years and your video is the best I’ve seen and super thorough keep making videos I really enjoyed this!!

[@jangoria6015]

Love your video! I made 2 vases today and love both. I’ll be back. Thank you!

[@StillLifeCeramics]

Jan Goria I’m so glad that our videos inspired you! Keep creating at home!

[@alexak3327]

I am so glad I watched your video. I have been working with clay and doing pottery for over a year now and this was the most helpful for making pinch pots, so easy! Thank you so much!

[@nowitssovivid1273]

Ooh I'm so glad I found this vid. This is going to be incredibly helpful for a sculpting project I need to do soon. Thanks for this wonderful free resource!!

[@StillLifeCeramics]

So glad you found it helpful! Thank you!

[@nubbee77]

thank you very much for this video. i think you're a great teacher

[@picassoronal300]

Thank you so much !! You've taught me so much with one lesson x

[@maggiesands7625]

Awesome instructions and video! Thank you.

[@atoussam6120]

Thank you so much Gina👌🏻👌🏻🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏻👍🏻

[@isabs8616]

So beautiful, adorable!

[@agustinaamigo]

I loved this video. It made me run to my lump of clay and turn it into a vase! Now I only need to find a kiln to fire it lol

[@anahenton3391]

👏👏👏 you local clay studio will be able to help 👍

[@agustinaamigo]

@@anahenton3391 Yes, I normally go to weekly classes, but we're on winter break now and I couldn't wait lol

[@anahenton3391]

@@agustinaamigo gotcha!

[@anawoods684]

Please make more video! You are fantastic teacher!

[@tamirenno5845]

Would love to see the lidded pot tutorial. Love all of your videos. Thank you. ❤️

[@scottledbetter7524]

Excellent tutorial!!

[@Paintspotsandpaper]

Brilliant video, hope you do many more!xx

[@kerstinklee9828]

Thank you so much for showing this !! 🥰

[@nlorens]

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial!

[@josylvester954]

What clay are you using in this video. I love the color! Great tutorial!! I am excited to do one of my own

[@peterbgshoemaker]

What a great video. Thank you so much.

[@heworley]

Great demo and instructions video. Good job! I would like to see another demo to make the lidded piece that you showed at the first of the video.

[@deeppete1557]

Thank you I love these going to get the clay out today you've inspired me

[@ginazycher]

That's music to my ears, Peter! Thanks for watching!

[@rhibi6618]

Definitely keen to learn about how to create pots with lids!

[@StillLifeCeramics]

Rhiannon B we offer online beginner classes and we definitely teach you how to create pots with lids! Check us out at stilllifeceramics.com/onlineclasses

[@marinandiaz]

@@StillLifeCeramics Hello! What do we need to hand build at home? What surface is she working on? Ty =)

[@pascalehuber6471]

@@StillLifeCeramics hi the link doesn't work :-(

[@marlenetroncoso952]

Realmente bueno el tutorial, a pesar de que no hablo ingles igual logro seguirla, muchas gracias por compartir 🤗

[@jamieb5030]

great tutorial! thank you!

[@jeannebuccino2561]

Loved the video thank you! Would love to see pinch pot with lid! High school ceramics teacher from NY, thanks so much!

[@heidier3713]

Thanks- great informative video

[@joshuagutierrez5491]

Thank you for the video! I enjoyed that. I would love to see a box tutorial!

[@katheinen]

... love it! Thanks ♡

[@denisecarter5117]

Thank you for this video.

[@divineprimetv]

Thank you bc I was struggling on my ceramic project

[@richardvarty7349]

Thanks for the tutorial!!! Also I'd love to see a tutorial on a lidded pot/ vessel

[@marcellemartin-juge6817]

Merci pour cette vidéo très instructive ! et Bravo

[@miracleedwards1539]

This what I just started doing ❤

[@agatasliwinska5508]

Great tutorial! Im interested also in this jar, and larger handbuild pieces, if you would provide the tuts that would be awesome! :)

[@juanmarcelous]

Very helpful 👏👏👏

[@Odette_112]

Thank you! So helpful. Would love to see a tutorial of a lidded form. 💛

[@jillwood5682]

great tutorial thanks

[@tonyandbevjordan7363]

Would love to see the video of pinch pot with a lid, please. That would be great. Thank you for sharing. Bev.J

[@hadeelmorsheed8827]

you are amazing!! thank you

[@jimmybrenner8620]

so fun!!

[@nicolebelanger4745]

I noticed you did not put slip between your two halves. Super good tutorial

[@mbpblue]

This was a great video thank you. I've just started ceramic classes here in Australia and of course we started with pinch pots... so this video is wonderfully inspiring and helpful. Hope you do more videos. Cheers Melinda

[@jeffreyrobinson2155]

Girl you make that look easy😗

[@micaelafachinettiguillen7023]

Gracias! Great info. I'd love it if you did a tutorial about glazings! Saludos desde Argentina ;)

[@angelamariatorres2085]

Nice to see and listen you. and learn. I am Angela forma Brazil

[@nataliewilliams1111]

I would love ideas for decorating and glazing from home. I don’t have kilns and things at home so struggle making it look good when finished.

[@brianbradford4023]

Ohhh my!

[@Creatorhands]

Good work

[@angelababy3579]

Please show how you glazed these lovely pots!

[@kirstihogan4258]

Thank you this is a great tutorial!!! Was there a part 2 for this one in the end?

[@tahliarosedelager8247]

Wonderful tutorial, thanks so much! Does this same process apply to air dry clay?

[@unexpectedartists1676]

Hiya, amazing tutorial. Loved it! Can this be raku fired?

[@angelbedi4976]

Thankyouuuuu

[@michellemurphy6715]

Yes please! I would love to see a little lidded jar or mug :) This tutorial was so helpful! Thank you!

[@tammyandkiki]

Yes please! Lidded pot

[@deliawright2610]

I’m so excited to get into pottery! I’m totally new to it, and your video has helped so much. What type of clay do you use?

[@linx316]

So I can say, I was in a pottery store and I asked what type of clay we are better to use. She told us that there are two types of clay that you can use. Low fire clay it'll dry faster and high fire clay. I hope it was useful for you! :D

[@gabriellelanglois2204]

Hi! would this work with air dry clay as well? By the way thanks for the tutorial! I really enjoyed watching it

[@RaymondtheHon]

I'd love to learn how to make a box!

[@gufby]

more of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lamodernista]

Your hands are the greatest tool you'll ever possess.

[@pratitim_0193]

I just loved your session. I wanted to know if these can be made out of air dry clay as well?

[@tammyandkiki]

I would think so- if the clay isn’t too wet to begin with and doesn’t dry out too fast! Not water resistant or waterproof unless you seal it and not food safe.

[@misskristy4963]

Great tutorial... Thank you! Can I please ask why you don't score your clay when joining or adding?

[@SetGozo]

Great

[@cindyrodriguez9899]

Hi Gina, can you do a session on glazes? Loving your videos. Thank you :)

[@StillLifeCeramics]

cindy rodriguez, we are teaching an online glaze class via zoom! Check us out on our website stilllifeceramics.com for more info!

[@winnilly]

@@StillLifeCeramics Hi I'd love to take a look of the glazing class but I couldn't find it on your website...

[@zoehawkins2745]

Hello, these amazing. Did you do a second video to finish them off?

[@shoutyahoo]

Hi Gina, thanks so much for your video, its really helpful for a beginner like me. One question: do you have a tip for people with small hands? I struggle to reach into the bottom of the pot, to pinch when its too thick. If anyone else has tips that'd be great too thanks. PS Love your pots in the background :-)

[@cathyschlereth9824]

I love your work, what type of clay is that your using?

[@jasshergill9769]

Very informative. Can u please upload more

[@kjstone6963]

Hi Darlings Awesome Video, love loved it !! thank you !! Are these vases water tight after the first fire? if they are not glazed ? excited to tune in to your other vids x

[@ginazycher]

Hi KJ! Anything made out of clay needs to be fired to the temperature it's designed to vitrify at (different clays are formulated for different temps) and glazed to be water tight. If you like the unglazed look you can just apply glaze to the inside and leave the outside unglazed.

[@malineesaechee8238]

Love this tutorial. Thank you. What brand and type of clay do you use, Gina?

[@cherylringer6940]

I would love to know what clay you use. Learned a lot from your video! Thanks!!

[@pascalehuber6471]

great video!! i'd be interested in the pinch pot box with lid... any chance thats coming up? thanks!!!

[@mahialttnchy2338]

Very beautiful .. How to dry it ? Is it in air or through the oven ? How is it glazed ?... Thank you so much.