Due to the technique’s limitations, most pinch pots are fairly small, holding perhaps one cup to one and a half cups by volume. However, you can make larger pinch pots if you really put your mind to it. If you’re not sure if working with clay is for you then starting with a pinch pot is a perfect economic test run. All you need is clay and a table to work at. Using coils, forms are built up into the desired size and shape. Coiled pots can take on any number of forms, and can be tiny or huge. The coils may or may not be completely welded together, depending on the desired surface effect. The coiling technique doesn’t require you to use extra tools but they can help with finishing design elements—you can use tools to completely smooth out the coils or you can leave the nice ribbed texture as is. Slab pots tend to be a bit tougher to produce, technically speaking, than those created using other techniques. The slabs of clay need to still be wet enough to produce strong seams, yet also firm enough to be able to hold up their own weight when placed vertically. Also, joints in slab-built pieces are more likely to crack or split during drying and firing, so extra special care must be taken with them when the pot is being built.
