Working with clay and clay-like materials

Joining clay
If you push two soft bits of clay together, they will usually stick together and appear to be joined. However, this is really just the moisture in the clay holding it together, and often once it has dried out it will come apart. Even if it survives the firing it will probably be a weak join. To give a good join, score the surfaces of the two pieces of clay with a sharp tool and brush on sticking slip. Carefully press the two together. Wipe away any excess slip and smooth over the join with a modelling tool.