Do you know how much I love pinch pots? I really really love pinch pots! Pots in general, but handbuilt, pinched and pierced and smeared and nudged ... cracks and splits and warps and all ... pinch pots are the best. Only thing, I haven't been really set up for clay. Metal clay, yes ... earthen clay, not so much. So I'm thrilled that, finally ... after years of not having a decent work surface, I've got a decent size canvas covered board to work on.

Yesterday, I had this idea to go over to the new home construction site next door and see if they had any scraps of plywood. I walked over there and realized I'd need to do some 4-wheeling to get to the site and the shorts and sandals I was wearing would be ill advised. Along with that, I got seriously weird vibes and decided to bag the freebie idea, cough up the few bucks and just go to Lowe's.

wet canvas and nice plywood, ready for stretching

I already had the nice piece of heavy canvas and a good supply of heavy duty staples ... after not much effort and a little time for the canvas to dry after stretching, I was ready to go.

really glad my allergies aren't bothering me ... check out all the oak tassels and I love my freshly planted flower pots

My bag of clay has been sitting around for months and I was relieved it didn't need too much work to get it back to a nice working consistency. One thing that pleases me to no end - I use the same tools for both types of clay ... just a good rinse is all they need.

pristine work surface, tools, mason stains, first pot and a jumbo jar of mint lemonade

I started in on one little pot and soon realized my nails needed further trimming and the remnants of that cut on my thumb needed to be trimmed as well. Amazing what shows up in the clay.

So, while the freshly spritzed clay is resting a bit, I thought I'd share my plans.

The idea for the pinch pots is to have little pots to sell just as is, but also to use them to hold beeswax candles. I've got a source for local beeswax and will be making them unscented as well as doing single fragrances and a couple of blends. Once the candles have burned down, you'll be left with a lovely little pinch pot to hold treasures and sweet little bits. I'll be test driving the whole idea and will write up directions for all the necessary deets. No idea what pricing will be yet, so stay tuned.

Okay, thinking that clay's ready to go. Very exciting!

l i g a - kvk