- 1). Choose a clean table in your house. Put a pack of clay, glass of water, a knife and a clear rug on the table. Unpack clay. Usually it has a cuboid form.
- 2). Cut the clay into two pieces with the knife. Size of the pieces depends on size of your planned ceramic pot. The bigger piece will become pot's body. You make other parts -- the spout, lid and knob -- of the smaller piece.
- 3). Shape the bigger piece of clay into a ball with your hands. The easiest way is to roll the piece first. Use water to soften the clay then shape the ball in your hands. This is the so-called "pinch technique" -- making pottery from clay balls.
- 4). Shape the teapot's body, including the cavity that will hold water and tea, with your hands. Add more water as needed to soften the clay. When the shape is finished, clean your hands, pour some water in your hands and treat the clay until it becomes smooth, but not sticky.
- 5). Make a hole for the spout with your hands. Soften the edges with water.
- 6). Cut the other piece of clay into three smaller pieces. Roll all of them to make balls. Use the biggest ball to make a spout with your hands. The easiest way is to thin the ball into a slice and join the edges. Add water to soften it, as needed.
- 7). Make a lid and a knob using the remaining two balls. Make forms with your hands and soften them with water.
- 8). Join the spout and the knob with the body. Use your hands. Soften the joints with water.
- 9). Put the teapot and the lid into the kiln or the oven and set temperature to highest. Wait for 15 minutes -- in case of kiln -- or 30 minutes in case of oven. Remove the teapot. Allow a minute for pottery to cool. Wrap the teapot and the lid in wet rags. Do not wrap them while steaming hot or the clay will crack.
- 10
Wait for the pottery to cool completely and paint the outer part of the teapot with a paintbrush and acrylic paint. You may obtain the paint in any art store. - 11
Apply the glaze outside and inside the pot (lid included) with another paintbrush.
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