About Pottery Making
While artwork is beautiful to look at, artisans seek to merge aesthetic beauty with utility. Throughout the centuries, professionals and amateurs alike have taken clay from the earth and constructed pottery that can be found in kitchens, living rooms and art galleries. Even today, hobbyists are willing to get their hands dirty and construct beautiful and useful ceramic objects.
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History
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Pottery making is a part of many cultural histories including the history of Native Americans. Native American women created ornate pots for the storing of various resources. These pots were often made by mixing shells or stone with clay in order to prevent the pottery from exploding during the firing process. The pottery was usually decorated with spirals, chevrons and triangles.
Identification
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Pottery is the making of a pot using material. The most common material used is clay, which is formed into the shape of a pot using your hands and a pottery wheel. The pottery wheel spins the clay, allowing the pot to be formed more quickly. After this, the clay is hardened by placing the pot in a special furnace.
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Classes
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Pottery can be expensive and requires some skill in order to learn. Many small businesses offer affordable classes that allow creative individuals to use pottery equipment in order to create their own pottery. These classes also save individuals money by helping them learn how to make pottery without wasting expensive materials in a trial-and-error process.
Details
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After pottery has been made, many individuals choose to paint their pottery. Acrylic is the most common paint used. Small paintbrushes are used for painting tiny details, though some individuals choose to paint the entire pot a single color. In addition, different materials can be added to the clay such as granite, stones and gems.
Pottery Painting Cafes
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Cafes exist that allow pottery enthusiasts to bring their unfinished pottery. These works of art can be painted by professionals or the customer can paint the pottery herself. Some cafes also offer to glaze and fire the pottery. There are also businesses that allow customers to paint pre-made statues that have been constructed out of clay. After painting and firing these statues, the customers can take them home.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Flickr creative commons
