Clay Studio Series – YouTube Video Review How to Make a Christmas Angel

Few crafts capture the heart of the Christmas holidays quite like handmade pottery. In this festive tutorial, Calder’s Ceramics guides viewers through the step-by-step process of creating clay angels — one small enough to hang as a tree ornament, and one large enough to stand proudly on a mantle or holiday table.

This project isn’t just about shaping clay. It’s about creating pieces filled with warmth, meaning, and tradition — decorations you’ll bring out year after year and perhaps even pass down as family heirlooms.

The Video

The tutorial is part of Calder’s holiday-themed series, making it perfect for potters who want to add seasonal projects to their repertoire. His teaching style is calm, patient, and clear — ideal for both beginners who are learning handbuilding basics and seasoned potters looking for inspiration.

The video covers:

How to form the angel’s cone-shaped body.
Attaching the rounded head securely.
Adding wings with proper scoring and slipping techniques.
Optional detailing for personalization.
Firing details:
- Bisque fire at 1020°C / 1868°F / Cone 06.
- Glaze fire at 1220°C / 2228°F / Cone 6.

The balance between technical guidance and festive creativity makes this tutorial highly engaging.

What We Loved

Holiday Spirit Brought to Life – Calder captures the essence of the Christmas season with a project that feels both joyful and meaningful.

Two Projects in One – You can follow along to make small angels as tree ornaments or larger statement pieces for shelves and tables.

Clear, Accessible Teaching – Even if you’ve never made pottery before, Calder’s calm explanations and slow pacing make it feel achievable.

Useful Techniques – Beyond making angels, you’ll practice handbuilding skills like joining clay properly, shaping forms, and drying evenly.

Personalization Potential – You can leave your angels simple and minimalist or add textures, glazes, or imprints to make them uniquely yours.

Why This Project Stands Out

The Christmas Angel project blends functionality with symbolism. The small hanging ornaments make thoughtful handmade gifts, while the larger version serves as a centerpiece you’ll treasure for years. Unlike store-bought décor, these angels carry the warmth of being made by hand, each with its own slight variations and charm.

For beginners, it’s a gentle introduction to pottery that doesn’t require a wheel or complicated tools. For experienced potters, it’s a chance to slow down and create something seasonal and heartfelt.

In a world of mass-produced holiday decorations, this project is a refreshing reminder that handmade clay pieces tell a story — of creativity, care, and the simple joy of working with your hands.

Watch the full video here: How to Make a Christmas Angel Out of Clay

Clay Angel

Polymer Clay Angel Figures

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain)

Rolling pin

Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture)

Sponge and water

Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls)

Knife or clay cutter

Plastic wrap

Kiln access (or community pottery studio)

White glaze

Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining.

Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser.

Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri).

Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings.

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.