Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Clay Studio Series – YouTube Video Review How to Make Heart-Shaped Bowls and Cups

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Seasonal pottery has a way of blending tradition, creativity, and heartfelt expression, and this Valentine’s Day tutorial captures all three beautifully. In this video, potter Calder Van Andel walks viewers through the complete process of making delicate heart-shaped bowls and cups. It’s a project that is not only charming but also versatile—perfect for gifting, decorating, or simply adding a handmade touch to your Valentine’s celebration.

The Video

The tutorial begins with Calder throwing a classic round bowl on the wheel. What makes this project stand out is how he carefully transforms the soft clay into a heart shape—showing that even small adjustments in pressure and angle can completely change a piece’s personality. After shaping, he covers trimming techniques and even demonstrates how to decorate using the bubble glaze technique, adding an element of playfulness to the final design.

The pacing of the video is calm and thorough, making it approachable for both beginners who are still learning the wheel and more advanced potters looking for seasonal inspiration.

What We Loved

  • Perfect for the Season – A thoughtful handmade bowl or cup makes an ideal Valentine’s Day gift. 
  • Step-by-Step Teaching – Calder explains every stage clearly, from throwing to trimming to glazing. 
  • Versatile Design – While themed for Valentine’s Day, the technique can be applied to spring weddings, anniversaries, or everyday gifts. 
  • Creative Glazing – The bubble glaze demonstration adds a modern twist to traditional pottery. 

Why You Should Watch

This tutorial is more than just a Valentine’s craft—it’s a reminder of how pottery can be both functional and meaningful. The simple act of shaping clay into a heart connects the maker to the season of love, while also producing a piece that can be used and cherished daily. Whether you’re planning to gift your creations or keep them as a reminder of your own practice, this video offers inspiration and clear instruction to bring your ideas to life.

 Watch the full tutorial here: How to Make Heart-Shaped Bowls and Cups – Valentine’s Day Special

 

Have you read?

DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

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.