• Well-treated clay soil
• Water
• A piece of timber or flat surface
• A sieve (to clean the clay)
• Your hands

Before you can create shapes, the clay must be ready to use. Follow these steps:

1. Pound the clay soil until it becomes soft.
2. Sieve the clay to remove sand, leaves, and other unwanted materials.
3. Mix the clean clay with a little water.
4. Knead the clay with your hands until it becomes a smooth, soft lump. This removes air bubbles.

The pinching method is the easiest way to make simple shapes. Here are the steps:

1. Take a handful of prepared clay and roll it into a ball between your hands.
2. Press your thumb into the center of the ball to make a small hole.
3. Keep pinching around the hole while slowly turning the clay ball. The hole will get bigger.
4. Continue pinching and turning until you have made a cup, bowl, or pot shape.
5. Make sure the walls of your shape are the same thickness all around.
6. Add decorations like lines or patterns while the clay is still damp.
7. Place your creation in the shade to dry slowly.

Mariam wants to make a small bowl for her mother. She follows these steps:

1. She takes a ball of soft clay and rolls it between her palms.
2. She presses her thumb into the center to make a small dent.
3. She pinches around the edge while turning the clay, making the hole bigger.
4. She keeps pinching gently until the bowl is the right size.
5. She adds wavy lines around the edge for decoration.
6. She puts the bowl in the shade to dry.

Now Mariam has created a simple shape correctly!

• Always knead the clay well before shaping to remove air bubbles.
• Keep your clay moist — if it gets too dry, sprinkle a little water.
• Make sure all parts of your shape have the same thickness.
• Dry your shapes slowly in the shade to prevent cracking.

• Clay — A substance that can be moulded into different forms
• Knead — To mix and press clay with your hands to make it smooth
• Sieve — A tool with small holes for cleaning clay
• Pinching — Squeezing clay between thumb and fingers to shape it

In Tanzania, many people use clay modelling to make useful items like pots, cups, and bowls that can be sold at the market. For example, a woman in Arusha might sell clay pots for TSh 5,000 each. By learning to create simple shapes, you can help your family make items for home use or even start a small business to earn money.