Pottery

Make your own ashtray out of clay. You can use clay that air-dries or clay that needs to be fired in a kiln. Buy air-dry clay at craft stores. The clay usually takes about a day to harden. If...

Paragon's programmable controllers take the babysitting out of firing pottery. All firings are done digitally. Just program in the start time, the temperature to fire to and turn-off time and you...

Bricks are one of the oldest building materials known to man. Bricks are the perfect material to use when making a kiln because they can withstand the very high temperature used to fire the...

A vase is an important element to an arrangement of flowers. While the aesthetics of the flowers are typically the focus, having a container appropriate for the flowers helps to unify the...

Decals on China Plates, are a perfect way to add that extra touch to your decor. Decals and China Plates can be purchased on the internet from a variety of manufacturers, by just doing a search on...

Dealing with the high cost of overhead for a business, with rent, utilities, etc., quite a bit of people have turned to the internet do sell their products. A Ceramic Business can benefit on the...

Slip is diluted clay used to help adhere two pieces of clay together or applied to the surface of clay as a decorative element. Slip trailing is the process of decorating a clay item with raised...

A small kiln is a versatile piece of equipment in a studio whether you want it for ceramics, glass or metal clay. However, the prices start at more than $400 for small tabletop models. Because it...

Here are some tips to follow when making a bowl on the pottery wheel, so that you can explore the fun, sometimes challenging and potentially profitable world of pottery making.

When painting any ceramic animal, it all comes alive once the eyes are painted. At least that's my opinion. Cat eyes, dog eyes, people eyes, etc., are all painted differently. Below is a 'how to'...

There are three main methods for making clay vases other than throwing them on a potter's wheel: coiling, slab work, and pinch pots. Each method can be used with either self-hardening or...

Raku originally was a gift at Japanese parties about 400 years ago. Guests made a small decorative bowl and took it with them. Today, raku, which is actually the firing process and not the clay,...

Greenware is clay that has been shaped into a form such as a vase for example, but has not yet been fired. Greenware must be allowed to be completely bone dry before you put it in a kiln to be...

Making figurines is a very satisfying hobby or side business. The items you can create are only limited by your imagination. You can either create your own molds or buy them.

Do you like Italian ceramic pottery enough to attempt making it yourself? If so, it's never too late to learn how. Italian ceramic pottery is unique and varied in style and technique. It comes...

Building a pottery wheel is far less expensive than purchasing a commercially manufactured model. To create pottery and ceramics, you'll need a pottery wheel and the physical ability to operate an...

Cutting small mosaic tiles requires specialized ceramic wheel cutters and a basic knowledge of tile working techniques. A tile working tool commonly referred to as "nippers" can be used to cut...

Building an indoor pottery kiln to fire clay items is not an expensive endeavor. The project takes two days to complete, due to the curing time required for the clay, sand and graphite mixture.

Tigers have an undeniable allure. You may not be able to keep a live one, but you can make one out of clay.

Creating a Raku kiln to fire Raku-style pottery requires specific tools and ability to work with combustible material. Raku pottery is fired using a ceramic and smoke process inside the kiln for...

Making a ceramic kiln is a thrifty way to fire clay or ceramic items. Ceramic kilns are able to withstand temperatures up to 1,400 degrees Celsius. The cost of making a ceramic kiln is less than...

Ocarinas are whistle-type instruments that serve a decorative purpose as well as a musical one. They have been around for centuries. Ocarinas can be carved from wood or other materials, but one of...

To be skilled on a pottery wheel, you have to practice often. Many beginners throw for at least one hour every day in order to make progress. As you practice, you'll be able to throw larger and...

The art of making a cup on a pottery wheel is called throwing clay. Throwing clay comes from the technique of initially putting the ball of clay on the center of the wheel. Experienced potters...

A vessel should look as good on the bottom as it does on the outside or inside. Some potters simply cut a pot off the wheel, smooth it, and leave it at that. Why not add some interest to make your...

When I took pottery in High School, I assumed we all would be using a potter's wheel like in the movie Ghost. Instead, we were taught how to make vases using the coil method. It's easy and fun!...

Concrete plaster is most commonly used in the creation of outdoor concrete lawn ornaments and sculptures. This medium is a favorite for "free-form" sculptures that are made without...

A double-walled clay pottery vessel is an intermediate project that takes time and careful work. You can serve tea to your friends with something you created that is beautiful and elegant. Follow...

Throwing a pot, or making a clay pot with a pottery wheel, is not as easy as it looks. However, experienced potters often claim that the experience is meditative and satisfying. If you are a...

Teapots require much practice and skill to make, especially if you want one that looks good and actually works. This general overview of how to make a porcelain teapot assumes that you know the...

A simple project such as a cappuccino mug is a great way for beginning potters to learn the basics of throwing and creating handles. Once you learn the basics of preparing and handling clay and...

A water fountain made of terracotta clay pots gives a warm and inviting appearance to any small garden, and the sound of the running water will provide a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. With just a...

Typically the larger an item made on a potter's wheel the more difficult to make. Greater mass spinning equals greater momentum. This greater momentum of an object is often too much for the weak...

From relaxing hobby to creative profession, forming pottery has a lot to offer both amateur and professional sculptors. But not all pottery pieces are created equal. It's the details that give a...

Making pottery on a potter's wheel is one of the most relaxing pastimes you'll ever find. While you'll find it a challenge to become proficient enough to make usable forms, you'll also find why...

Typically the larger an item made on a potter's wheel the more difficult to make. Greater mass spinning equals greater momentum. This greater momentum of an object is often too much for the weak...

This piece will test your skills in pottery throwing by converting a simple clay cylinder made on your potter's wheel into an elegant and useful pitcher. Read on to learn how to throw a pitcher on...

Forming a cylinder while working with a potter's wheel is common. What many don't know is that it can be a test of sorts. When a potter can successfully throw a cylinder and find that it is...

Glazing uses a liquid containing finely ground minerals that dries as a hard glossy surface on your pottery. There are several methods of glazing including dipping, brushing and spraying. Spray...

You create thin pottery with a constant upward pulling on the clay while it is on the wheel. This must be done so that the walls achieve an even thinness and the pottery does not collapse. The...

After centering and pulling the sides of your pottery piece, you're ready to give the pot or vase its shape. This is the most difficult portion of throwing wheel pottery as the pot can quickly...

The Egyptians added ashes to pottery to generate a glossy sheen. Make your own pottery glaze by using common household goods. Modern pottery makers may want to experiment with the variance in...

Trinket boxes are great for hiding treasures or as gift boxes. Some people collect them for decorative pieces. Trinket boxes are a way to store special items that you want to have a perfect place...

With the aid of a pottery wheel, ceramic enthusiasts can create a variety of practical items like bowls, mugs and vases. It can be a tricky process to learn at the beginning, but those who stick...

You've put in some hard work, dealt with some trial and error, and now your pottery masterpieces are ready for the next phase. The pottery-making process usually requires two different stages of...

This 4 inch tall, 10 inch wide kiln is perfect for the hobbyist potter who fires only a few pieces at a time or for testing small batches of rock that might possibly blow up and damage a large...

Ceramics can be an expensive hobby with the cost of clay, supplies and other equipment, especially if you are starting a studio. However, you can cut some of the costs by building some of your own...

Not everyone can get the hang of the pottery wheel right away. Luckily, beautiful and unique pottery can be crafted with little more than a pair of hands. There are several techniques for hand...

An Anagama kiln is a Japanese pottery kiln that utilizes wood ash to glaze pottery. The kiln consists of a long chamber for firing, and several ports for adding wood. There is a firebox on one end...

Buying a kiln is a big decision, but don't let it get you all "fired up." Decide what type of work you will be using the kiln to fire, such as ceramics, china, wheel-thrown pottery, hand built...