POTTERYrevolutions

Hand building is the earliest forming method. Wares can be constructed by hand from coils of clay, combining flat slabs of clay, or pinching solid balls of clay or some combination of these. Parts of hand-built vessels are often joined together with the aid of slip, an aqueous suspension of clay body and water. A clay body can be decoratedbefore or after firing. Prior to some shaping processes, clay must be prepared such astablewares although some studio potters find hand-building more conducive to create one-of-a-kind works of art.