Clay Pocket Pots

 Today I held an after school clay class for grades K-5.  I had 11 kids sign up and we made pocket pots.  These are so fun!  After painting them, we will attach a wire to the top and they can hang on the wall to hold items like keys or money.  I took pictures of the kids as they worked.

Roll out a slab of clay.  Trace an oval template and cut out.

Cut a straight line across the oval, about 2/3 of the way from the bottom.

Take the piece you cut off, and attach it to the bottom of the slab, bumping it up a little.  Score the parts with a fork and add some water to moisten. 

Use the back of a spoon to smooth the seams and make it stronger.  Also smooth out any bumps or jagged edges.

Use leftover clay to cut out shapes for designs.

You can use objects to stamp designs in the clay.  These were pieces from the game Perfection, which had broke.

You can carve in designs or draw on the clay with toothpicks.  Add holes to the top with a pointed tool.  Be sure they are large enough for wire or yarn to go through.

The holes are the eyes.  Next step is to fire, then glaze, then fire again, then add the wire or yarn to through the top holes.  All of these examples were made by K-5 grades.  I have done this project with older grades and not had a tracer.  The kids could make the pocket pot in different shapes.