Prepare an area for you to work. Give yourself enough space for the project you have in mind. For example rolling clay with a rolling pin might require more room than clay modelling. Put some old fabric underneath the clay if you are rolling out.

Bear in mind terracotta could stain - test on a small inconspicuous area of your table first and wear old clothes or an apron. It is better to work on a porous surface so that the clay doesn't sucker onto it, or put some fabric underneath, especially if you are pushing down hard on the clay.

Improvise some tools ✎ eg. a small knife, a short length of wooden dowel... and have a small empty yoghurt pot handy with a little bit of water in it and a sponge. you can use these to moisten cracks if the clay dries out too soon.

Take what clay you need, then reseal the bag so the rest of the clay doesn't dry out.

Make a mini pot out of clay and put some water in it. Stir the water and clay together with an old paint brush, being careful not to wear a hole in the bottom - now you have slip, which acts like glue for sticking bits of clay together.

You can a) choose to make things you want to keep ✎. Once you have made them, put them safely to one side out of harm's way and out of direct sunlight as it dries. Or b) you can make something new with the same piece of clay by re-using and recycling it ✎.

Don't forget to take photos of what you create and share them with the rest of us!

Tag @peakpotters and use the hashtag #peakpottering

Have fun!

ps. If you've found other ways to create eg with air drying clay or plasticine, show us these too!