Forming the neck

Forming the Neck

We're entering the final stretch of our vase-building and shaping the neck. It's where your piece starts to speak, to express its energy and character. Now's the time to infuse your pot with meaning and movement.

Preparing to Build Again

After a break, I always check the moisture level of the top coil. If it's gone a bit stiff (heading into leather-hard), I soften it before adding more coils:

• use a toothbrush and water to make it tacky
• if it's too dry, score it a little and add more water to help the new clay stick.

Before closing off the neck, check your shape one last time. Now that the clay is firmer, you can apply more pressure to stretch or adjust without it collapsing. I often use my knuckle on the inside to do this.

Refining the Shape

This is a great moment to refine the profile:

• step back and look at it from different angles
• push areas out or in using a rubber kidney, spoon, or even your finger
• you can get it beautifully symmetrical at this stage if that's your goal.

I think of this stage as a gentle combing-through - your tools, your fingers, your presence slowly refining the clay. If done with care, it can look as if the pot's been thrown on a wheel.

Building the Neck

Time to go up. You can:

• add coils for height
• begin to flare it out at the top if you want a wide, open mouth.

Important: Make sure the base of the neck is firm and thick enough. This area and just below it are prone to collapsing if they're too soft or thin.

When adding water, use just enough - too much and it'll drip down and weaken areas you want to stay strong. Keep the neck tall and expressive, and let the form flow naturally.

Expression Through Form

This is where the meaning comes in. For me, this open neck symbolises:

• reaching up to the sun
• channelling energy down into the body of the pot
• a sense of growth, expansion, and openness.

But your form might do something else entirely:

• curve inward like a bud
• wave slightly to one side
• spiral or twist.

Let your personality come through. Allow for little imbalances and imperfections. They make the piece more alive.

Clay forgives. If something collapses a bit, don't panic - reshape, resmooth, keep going.

A Moment of Reflection

As you finish shaping, think about this:

• your hands, heart, and mind are all in the clay
• the process is as valuable as the product.

Clay reminds me that we can reshape life - soften what's stiff, rebuild what's collapsed, and keep forming something beautiful.

This coiling technique is as powerful for beginners as it is for experienced potters. The more you practise, the more your ideas and your skills develop together. There's always more to discover.

At this point, I'll let the pot dry a little before finishing the top. I might add a few final coils, smooth it out, and next, we'll start to decorate and paint.