Tea Light Holder Using Pottery Clay

Recently I started making different objects using pottery clay. It was fun to make those things ranging from Diyas, plates etc. You can making anything you wish. Although, the clay does make your hands dirty. But it is very satisfying when you see the end result. Today I would be making a Tea Light Holder, hope you would like it !!

1. (250g) Black clay/Red Clay/White Clay, made into two balls (about 125g each). You can use any clay as per the availability.
2. Acrylic Paint
3. Brush
4. 150 grit Sandpaper
5. Toothbrush
6. Joining slip or water
7. Sharp knife
8. Sponge 
9. Nylon Wire Clay Cutter 

Well-prepared clay is the key to success. Compressing through wedging and kneading eliminates air pockets and realigns the clay particles, helping to prevent explosions in the kiln.

Wedging expels air bubbles from the clay by compressing it to produce a compact lump that can be stored easily. Wire off what you require when you’re ready to throw, then knead it.

Roll the clay into cylindrical structure then Wire and stack from the nearest edge, slide the Nylon Wire under the clay to the middle, then lift the wire to cut the clay in half. Stack one half on top of the other.

Pinch one ball to form a cup shape and the second to form a cone. Check that both shapes are the same thickness and the rims are the same diameter. Pieces made in this way tend to be organic in shape.

Your hands are the most basic, and often the best, tools to sculpt and model clay. In pinching, you use one hand to pinch the clay and the other as support—no other tools are required.

Dry the shapes a little if they are too soft. It is a good idea to put them upside down on a plastic sheet or piece of plastic wrap so the shapes don’t warp and the rims don’t dry too much.

Pinching Technique:  Pinching is the best place for a pottery beginner to start their journey with clay. With a ball of clay and both hands, you will be able to pinch out a bowl shape with relative ease. From this starting point, you will connect with your material, learning to control the clay with the way that you pinch and the placement of your fingers and thumbs. An even rhythm and repetitive movements will help to achieve a uniform thickness and even shape. From this starting point, you can progress to forming different shapes and vessels. 

Once your pots are leather hard, score and slip the rims using a potter’s pin, toothbrush, or comb-shaped tools. Brush a little water or slip along each rim to glue the two shapes together.

Make sure the two pieces are firmly joined to create a single form. Scoring the rims and applying slip softens the clay and helps the two halves make a solid, secure joint. It is very important to avoid letting any air become trapped in the grooves you create, or your pot may crack in the kiln.

Score both rims well using a pin or toothbrush. Brush them generously with plenty of slip, then bring them together to join them, twisting the two halves from side to side gently, to help seal the joint and work out any trapped air.

Understanding Slip and it’s uses: Slip is liquid clay—or, more specifically, a suspension of clay particles. Slip can be painted on to add decoration, used to join pieces of clay together, and poured into plaster molds to cast shapes. The ingredients for slip and properties of it differ depending on the intended use. Slip should usually be the thickness of heavy cream

Leave the pot to dry again. When leather hard, cut an oval opening using a sharp knife, then lever out the clay. You can use a paper template to guide you, drawing around it with a pin, if preferred.

Run a damp sponge around the rim of the aperture to smooth down the edge, holding the piece gently in your other hand. Continue to smooth the whole shape, removing any pinch marks and taking care not to distort the form

I also made other items few diyas, a bowl. After making the clay sculpture, let it dry for 8-9hr under fan and minimum 2 hr in sunlight (it is a must !!) .Our nearby experienced pottery guy said it must receive sunlight to gain good strength, just drying under fan is not enough for making good quality pots.

Once the clay items are drieded up, it is ready to go to Kiln (firing process).

We want to nearby local Kiln service provider. They were the same people from whom we purchased the Clay.They were very kind and generous and also helped us lot in the whole process from sourcing clay to also helping us out in firing process. I have attached some few photos of the Kiln which we used.

Note: When sourcing clay from the vendor, also check with him whether he provides Kiln service or not. This will help because different types of clays have different firing temperatures. The vendor will know at what temperature his clay need to be fired.

I have used Black Clay for the process, but after the firing process it turned white. The surface finish was rough. Then I used 150 grit sandpaper to polish the same. The End result was looking good and it is not ready for coloring process.

I used Acrylic colour to paint my Tea Light Holder. Drawn some patterns over it. Painted with some gold glitter paint inside the hollow part. The Tea-Light Holder is now ready to be used.Similarly, I painted all the Clay items.

Hope you have enjoyed my Instructables.

Thank You !!