Leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold all tell us that St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner! We made our pots of gold out of clay so they would last from year to year. While these look like little pots full of gold coins, there’s a bit o’ trickery here…. the coins are actually attached to a removable lid, so you can hide your real treasure inside!
Our pots of gold were glazed and fired in a kiln, but you could also make this charming leprechaun bait with air dry clay, too. Just follow the steps below:
1. Start with a ball of clay about the size of an orange.
2. Form a basic pinch pot.
3. Tap the rim onto your table to flatten and level it a bit.
4. Roll out a small slab and cut a circle about the size of your pot to make a lid.
5. Score and slip the outer 1/4″ or so of your lid.
6. Roll out a coil, then score, slip and attach it to your lid.
7. Smooth the edge of your lid to hide the seam.
8. The outer edge of your lid should be about the width of your pot, or just a tiny bit larger.
9. Roll another coil about 3/4″-1″ in diameter. Slice this coil into ‘coins’ with a wire or piece of nylon cord.
10. For optional fun, stamp a design onto your coins.
11. Loosely pile your coins onto the lid. The weight of the coins will cause the lid to sag slightly in the middle, helping the lid ‘fit’ to the pot. Let dry and bisque fire.
12. To glaze, paint each coin separately and place onto the lid so they will fuze together when fired.
13. For firing, the lid should be separated from the pot so it will still be removable when you’re finished!
14. After firing, your coins will look like they are loose, but they will be in one solid piece attached to your lid!
15. Use glitter glue to add some optional ‘bling’ to your gold!
Note: If you make this project with air dry clay, you can paint it after it dries with acrylic craft paint. Then use a good craft glue to glue your coins onto the lid. No firing necessary!
