Part of the charm of the pinched pot may be the rustic look it has when the top edges are left uneven. You can, however, also choose to trim the upper edge to give the pot a more refined look.
Don't throw away any small pieces of clay. Gather them into a bucket or other container and let them dry thoroughly. Because they will easily slake down and mix with water, they make the easiest way to make slurry, which is used in other forms of handbuilding and in throwing.
The finished pot should be placed somewhere safe and allowed to dry slowly. Fast drying will often result in cracks appearing in the greenware or during firing. After the pot is bone dry (no part of the pot feels cool to the touch) it is ready to be bisque fired.
