Before you begin, gather these materials:

• Clay soil (good quality clay that is easy to shape)
• Water for mixing
• Moulds or modelling tools
• Decoration materials (natural leaves, sticks, paint, beads)
• Brushes for painting
• Glue suitable for clay
• Newspapers and plastic sheets

Good clay makes modelling easier. Follow these steps to prepare your clay:

1. Collect clay soil from a clean area, free from stones and debris.
2. Mix with water gradually until the clay becomes soft and workable, like dough.
3. Knead the clay well to remove air bubbles and make it smooth.
4. Test the clay by rolling it in your hands — it should not crack or stick too much.

Here is how to model a flowerpot as an example:

Using a Mould

1. Prepare the mould — Select a shape you want to create and make a mould using plaster of Paris.
2. Line the mould — Place a light plastic sheet inside the mould to prevent clay from sticking.
3. Press the clay — Press clay into the mould to form a layer about 2 centimetres thick.
4. Smooth the surface — Make the clay even and level.
5. Create scratch marks — Lightly scratch the edges to help pieces stick together.
6. Let it set — Allow the clay to become firm but still damp.
7. Remove the mould — Carefully take out the two halves of your shape.
8. Join the pieces — While still damp, join the two parts using wet clay.
9. Dry slowly — Wrap in cloth and place in shade to dry gradually.

After your shape is dry, you can decorate it using these methods:

1. Incising, Carving and Scratching

Use tools to create patterns on soft clay by:

• Cutting lines into the surface (incising)
• Removing clay to form shapes (carving)
• Drawing lines with sharp tools (scratching) You can also press natural materials like leaves or wood to leave patterns.

2. Painting

• Use appropriate paints that stick to clay
• Apply a base colour first and let it dry
• Draw flowers, geometric shapes, or any design you like

3. Stencil Decoration

• Cut patterns in paper or cardboard
• Place the stencil on the pot
• Apply colour through the open areas using a brush or sponge

4. Adding Ornaments

• Attach beads, glass pieces, or small objects using strong glue
• This adds texture and visual interest

5. Using Coloured Clay

• Mix different colours into the clay before modelling
• Create patterns by combining different coloured clays

• Always keep your clay slightly damp while working
• Dry your work slowly in the shade, not in direct sunlight
• Make sure all parts are joined firmly before decorating
• Clean your tools after use
• Work in a clean area

In this lesson, you have learned that:

• Modelling shapes requires preparing good clay and using proper techniques
• Moulds help create identical shapes quickly
• Various decoration methods include incising, painting, stencil, and adding ornaments
• Decorated clay objects can be used at home or sold in the market

In Tanzania, many local artists and craftspeople use these clay modelling and decorating skills to make flowerpots, decorative items, and utensils for sale at local markets. For example, a student in Dar es Salaam or Arusha could make decorated clay pots and sell them for between TZS 5,000 to TZS 20,000 each, using the money to help with school expenses or to start a small business. These skills also help you create useful items for your own home, such as planters for vegetables or decorative pieces for special occasions.