Trinket Box

Step by Step

1. 1 Form the Base

   Take about 200g (one fifth of a bag) of clay and roll it into a
   smooth, crack-free ball. If you see any cracks on the surface, knead it a bit
   more or add a tiny bit of water. Starting with a clean ball is the foundation
   of a good pinch pot.

   

2. 2 Pinch the Pot

   Push your thumb into the center of the ball,
   stopping about 1/2 inch from the bottom. You don't want to poke through. Then
   slowly pinch the walls outward, rotating the ball as you go. Work in even
   rotations, pinching and turning, pinching and turning. Aim for walls about 1/4
   inch thick. The opening should be about 3 inches in diameter.

   

3. 3 Even Out the Rim

   Place the pot upside down on your work
   surface and press gently to flatten the rim (which is now the bottom). Flip it
   back and use your craft knife to trim any uneven spots on the rim. The rim
   needs to be level because this is where the lid sits. Use a wet finger to
   smooth the trimmed edge.

   

4. 4 Shape the Lid

   Roll about 100g of clay into a slab about 1/4
   inch thick. Place the pot upside down on the slab and trace around it with your
   craft knife, cutting a circle about 1/4 inch larger than the pot opening. This
   overhang is what makes the lid sit on top instead of falling in.

   

5. 5 Add a Lid Handle

   Roll a small ball of clay (about 15g),
   roughly the size of a marble. Score the top center of the lid and the bottom of
   the ball. Wet both. Press the ball onto the lid and smooth the joint. This knob
   handle makes the lid easy to lift. You can shape it as a sphere, a small cone,
   or even a tiny mushroom for personality.

   

6. 6 Test the Fit

   Place the lid on the pot. It should rest on
   the rim without sliding around too much. If it's too big, trim a sliver off the
   edge. If it's too small, you'll need to cut a new one. Getting this fit right
   before drying saves frustration later, because clay shrinks slightly as it
   dries and a loose lid will only get looser.

   

7. 7 Dry Separately

   Dry the lid and the base separately on
   parchment paper for 24-48 hours. Do not dry them stacked together, as they will
   fuse. Flip both pieces after 12 hours. Once dry, sand all surfaces smooth,
   especially the rim of the pot and the underside of the lid where they meet.
   Seal with acrylic sealer.

   Tip: This project pairs beautifully with the Ring Dish. Display them together on a nightstand or vanity