More Basic Polymer Clay

Along the line of the post last week I collected the beginner tips and basics from a few other bloggers:

Tanja covers a few of her basics – brand preferences. She tells beginners the same thing I do: try whatever you can.
Katie has scads of good stuff on her site but a post devoted to baking and breaking – two things that plague some newbies. To the crack list, I have to add: If you are covering items that flex in heat (like not dried out woods or papier mache) make sure the clay is thicker. Thin layers will crack. This frustrated me a lot at the start. Even now, when I do very large glass pieces, the tiny amount the class moves in the oven will crack the tissue thin clay veneers I put on it. My solution is to use thicker clay there or float it on liquid clay but there were many bad words spoken first.
And a tutorial with diagrams about how to make Skinner blend plugs or blocks, useful for pretty much all clay things.

The picture is of someone’s clay tools / set up for a project. Right now, my studio table has sheets and sheets of lily beads and pillow beads in progress. There are a couple of shaping tools for the lilies and a tiny little clay wand (mini roller) for smoothing the pillow beads. What kind of clay tools do you consider necessary? Did you customize any of them or find unique uses for regular household doodads?

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.

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