Creating pottery is an art form that dates back thousands of years. As humans became less nomadic and more stable, the necessity for containers besides baskets -- something that could hold water -- became necessary. People began using clay to mold and fire pots. Over thousands of years, this practice soon became a form of artistic expression, as people began decorating, painting and adding texture to their pottery. Creating textured pottery is very easy and it can be done with items found around your home.
Things You'll Need
Air-dried clay pot
Found household items, such as forks, a grating tool, a wire whisk or a toilet brush
Found natural items, such as feathers, leaves or seashell
Paintbrush
Pottery glaze
Utility knife
Wax crayons
Show More
Instructions
1
Check that your clay pot is properly air-dried before texturizing it. The pot should be leather-hard and at room temperature.
2
A utility knife will easily cut through the leather-hard clay.
Carve out shapes from the pot with the utility knife. Cut out shapes from the pot's lip or cut out shapes right under the pot's lip.
3
A seashell will leave an interesting impression on the pot's surface.
Impress texture into your pot using found household items -- such as forks, a grating tool, a wire whisk or a toilet brush -- and found natural items -- such as feathers, leaves or seashells. Apply light and hard pressure on different items to vary the texture.
4
Using smaller brushes will allow you to apply glaze in small crevices.
Draw designs on the pot with a wax crayon. Paint over the entire pot with the glaze and a paintbrush. The areas on the pot where you drew with the wax crayon won't take the glaze color, leaving a design on the pot.
5
Fire the pot in the kiln and finish your newly decorated piece of pottery.