Paddling a Pinch Form: A Quick Demonstration to Alter A Form

This video is for my Ceramics II students as we are making Lidded Pots for our Raku project. This is kind of an extra video thrown in to help the kids making their pots. You can find the rest of the videos on the pinch lidded pots playlist here:
• Lidded Pinch Pots- (Ce...
In this video, I show using a paddle to STRETCH the clay in the direction you want it to be pulled, whether that is toward a corner, or to lengthen it. Clay should never be paddled straight in, but always stretched in the direction you want it to go.
We are using Standard 153 stoneware in our class for this project rather than our traditional raku clay body, to simplify the clay bodies they are dealing with should students be working from home while quarantined.
For the great tools I used in the video (including the mudtools ribs and needle tools) check out this link to a live Googledoc I continually update with lots of my favorite tools on Amazon using my associate links! docs.google.com/document/d/1X...
I made this video for my Ceramics II students at Mason High School.
I am a public high school ceramics teacher at William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio. (Mason is currently the largest high school in Ohio!) As a potter, I have been working in clay for over 30 years, and I have been teaching for over 28 years, the past 20 have been specifically teaching high school ceramics. I love what I do! I have my own studio in my home basement, where I work on my personal pottery for my Etsy site; www.etsy.com/shop/KaransPotsA...
I started my KZbin channel a few years ago, to make videos to help my students if they are absent and miss a demo, or if they would like to explore more advanced techniques independently. I have been amazed to reach such a wider audience than my own students!
Please subscribe to my channel if you would like to receive channel updates, or would like to learn more about clay and studio processes!

[@mikaelak90]

Lovely. Learning so much!

[@kwlloyd7]

I often use a mudtools rib (yellow or green) as my paddle. Small, but very light! Love your form - my power’s our tonight, so I think I’ll pinch & paddle - by candlelight!

[@NovocaineGirl]

I loved the final shape :)

[@marcelaolivares3320]

Gracias!!!

[@marcelaolivares3320]

Great video!, thank you!, I don't know which tool to use to cut at a regular height. What do you recommend me? and too, Is there a paddle model that you suggest? thank you!!!!

[@micheledickey4066]

Wow. I had no idea you needed to pull the paddle. I just smashed my bulged spots with it. Lol

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Lol!!

[@claymazingartworks5682]

I spend more time watching your videos than I do talking to my husband 😂.. I love the pinch pots because they are so organic. P.S. I noticed your hair. Did you get a perm or is your hair naturally curly? As you can tell I'm a stylist..💙

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Lol!! My hair is naturally curly... that is my default when I don't have time or energy to do anything with it! Ha!!! :)

[@katiakatiakat]

Great video, thank you! What is the name (or link to) of the curved tool you used at 3:00 to push out the slump? I need one! :)

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

It’s one I made- check here! etsy.me/3z4RgAB I couldn’t find them anywhere, so ended up making them myself!

[@katiakatiakat]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass I found some online last night but I'd rather support you! You're so talented! Could you do a custom order? Something similar but straight and not curved and a bigger bulb at the end.

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

I could do a custom piece- but I’d be limited to my lumber thickness for my hardwood - which is typically 1”- if the bulb would be thicker than that, I’d have to do some investigation to find some! Width isn’t the issue- just my board thickness!

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Let’s discuss over email or Etsy message- I’m KaransPotsAndGlass@gmail 😉

[@katiakatiakat]

@@KaransPotsAndGlass should I email you a shot of the tool I’m looking for? Your took you created might do the trick. Maybe even better? You could let me know what you think. I’m a little new to pottery.

[@sholipysh9493]

Why do you have to pul while paddle?

[@KaransPotsAndGlass]

Pulling will help to stretch the clay if you are trying to make corners. If you go straight in, it will concentrate and thicken the clay. Pulling helps to keep it thinner.