The Class with Christi

I live in Canada and not on either coast. As far as real life polymer clay classes go, this area may as well not exist. So when I heard that Christi Friesen was teaching relatively nearby I jumped at the chance to take a class even if our styles are pretty different. I have to tell you, the whole week was fun and even if our styles are radically different there was still plenty of tips and techniques to make it all worthwhile.

We covered a ton of sculpture related projects. Every day started with what Christi calls the bubble gum projects – like the little ghoulie below. Christi uses a lot more in the way of powders and paints than I do and after seeing some of the results I’ll have to give them a little more attention in my own work.

One of the newest products and techniques Christi has been working with this year is her Swellegant line of metal coatings, patinas and dyes. We did a little of it in our class and of course a little came home with me. I have a swellegant specific post coming up tomorrow.

These guys were some of the critters I made. I couldn’t keep from using little cane slices on the turtle shell. Both the dragons and the turtle got little dabs of mica powders and paints in the spirit of the class.

You can find Christi on the net at: CFOriginals.net She’s also active on Facebook and you can friend her there.

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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