Adams County has an abundance of amazing natural resources. One of those resources is clay! It is a fairly simple and fun process to collect local clay and turn it into pottery.
First Step: Find a source of clay. Be sure to get the landowner's permission.
Keep the clay moist until ready to use. It helps to work the clay in your hands for a few minutes before trying to shape it. Natural clay has many inconsistencies.
"Pinch pots" are easy to create without a pottery wheel.
A hole should be dug that is about 2 feet deep.
The green pottery goes on the bottom. We found that it helps to put the pottery on top of a cinder block inside the hole instead of resting on the bottom.
Gently layer kindling on top of the pottery and keep it burning for at least 3 hours. Be patient! The hardest part is waiting for the embers to cool. It can take 2 days before the embers are all out. Leave the pottery in the pit undisturbed until completely cooled.
Carefully excavate the hardened pieces from the pit.
Paint the pieces using ordinary acrylic paint and finish with a clear coat of sealant (these pieces would not be suitable to serve food/drink). Voila!
