Pottery

Potter's wheels are an essential element for spinning clay into beautiful works of art. Many expensive potter's wheels from fine art stores are electric, but if you are willing to use a kick...

A number of heating sources can be used to operate a kiln, but gas and electric are the most popular types. There are various advantages and drawbacks to both, and the potter's level of experience...

Whether you are interested in therapeutic exercise, artistic expression or functional output, pottery offers something for almost everyone who takes up the art. Although it is possible to create...

The wheel is one of the most critical inventions in human history. While we typically think of wheels as a tool used for transportation and agriculture, the first use of the wheel was the potter's...

Pottery wheels are round platforms that spin when engaged by a foot pedal to spin in a circle. This circular motion allows pieces of pottery to be shaped for symmetry. Pottery wheels have been...

The art of making pottery has changed through the ages as new inventions have been designed to make the process easier to accomplish. The invention of the pottery wheel and the pottery firing kiln...

Pottery is an art form that has been around for thousands upon thousands of years. When this art was first invented, humankind's very survival depended upon it. With pottery, humans could...

When you watch a potter shaping clay on a wheel it seems like magic. Her hands move, the clay rises, spreads, flows into rich curving shapes. But the potter's wheel works for scientific reasons,...

Ceramics is an art that uses both form and function. The potter must master basic construction techniques to create successful pottery. Beyond function, the artist can also use carving and...

Working with clay can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. When working with pottery clay, there are different techniques, from hand building to working on a potter's wheel, that can...

Throwing pottery on a potter's wheel can seem to be a difficult task, but with the right preparation it is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels. While not every person...

People who throw pottery use a potter's wheel to shape clay into a variety of ceramic items. The potter's wheel is a machine that rotates at different speeds to help the potter create round shapes...

When creating ribs for a clay pottery bowl, push rib tool all the way through the potter's wheel. Throw a clay salsa bowl using the tips in this free pottery lesson from a ceramics expert.

Shape a ceramic lantern with rib tools and sponges. Learn how to shape a lantern with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Use a rib tool for a ceramic lantern to smooth and dry the surface. Learn how to use a rib tool with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Decorating a ceramic lantern personalizes the piece. Learn how to decorate a lantern with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Adding holes to a ceramic lantern allows light to sift through. Learn how to add holes to a lantern with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Cleaning up a ceramic lantern produces a polished finished product. Learn how to clean up a lantern with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Final presentation of a tall ceramic planter can express personality and individuality. Get presentation ideas for a ceramic planter with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Center and wedge clay for a tall ceramic planter at the same time on the potter's wheel. Learn how to center and wedge your clay on the wheel with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics...

Trim the bottom of a ceramic flower pot to clean up the bottom edge. Learn how to trim a flower pot with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video series.

Alter your ceramic flower pot so that it can hang flat on a wall. Learn how to alter a flower pot with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video series.

Place handles for a ceramic flower pot on either side by scoring the bonded area. Learn how to place handles on a pot with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video series.

Seal your clay to the potter's wheel for a ceramic flower pot to keep the clay from sliding around. Learn how to seal your clay down with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video series.

Smooth out a ceramic flower put using a metal rib tool. Learn how to smooth out the sides of a pot with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video series.

Trim excess clay off of your ceramic herb planter with a needle tool. Learn how to trim a planter with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Create fluidity in a ceramic herb planter with dips and curves that add movement. Learn how to create fluidity in a piece with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Decorate a ceramic herb planter by drawing shapes and designs into the clay. Learn how to add decorative details with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Place a ceramic handle for a beer stein in a position that is easy to hold with enough space for your hand. Learn how to place a ceramic handle with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics...

Make a slab for a ceramic herb planter by slapping it across a table surface. Learn slab making techniques with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Wedging your clay on the potter's wheel for a ceramic herb planter will remove inconsistencies and air bubbles. Learn how to wheel wedge clay with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics...

Center clay on the wheel for a ceramic beer stein to ensure a symmetric finished piece. Learn how to center clay on a potter's wheel with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Wedge clay on the potter's wheel for a ceramic beer stein to ensure a consistent material without air bubbles. Learn how to wheel wedge with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Trim a ceramic beer stein foot to create a clean edge. Learn how to trim a beer stein with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Decorate a ceramic beer stein to add uniqueness and personality. Learn how to decorate a beer stein with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Dismount a ceramic beer stein from the potter's wheel using a wire tool to cut it free. Learn how to use a wire tool with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Using a metal rib for dry throwing on the pottery wheel can be dangerous. See how to safely use metal ribs to shape pots on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

The pottery rib is a great potter's tool to help you shape a pot on the pottery wheel. See how to shape pots with a pottery rib on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

A pot lid should match the size of its matching pot. See how to make pot lids on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

Clay pot lids do not require a large amount of clay. See how much clay you need to make pot lids on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

Throwing of the hump is an efficient way to make clay pots. See how to throw off the hump on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

Opening clay on the pottery wheel is done easily by plunging both thumbs into the clay. See how to open clay on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

Compressing the bottom of a clay pot on the pottery wheel helps keep the pot from cracking. See how to compress the bottom of a pot when throwing on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

See how to throw a lidded vessel on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

See how to remove a pot from the hump on the potter's wheel in this free ceramics video.

Wedging potter's clay for a large pot removes inconsistencies in the clay. Wedge potter's clay using clay wedging tips in this free ceramics video.

Trim a ceramic water bowl by removing excess clay with a potter's knife. Learn how to trim a water bowl with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Touch up a water bowl and candlestick holder piece by cleaning up the edges with a potter's knife. Learn how to touch up a water bowl and candlestick combo with tips from a master potter in this...

Throw ceramic candlestick holders off of a larger piece of clay to save time when making multiples. Learn how to throw candlestick holders with tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.

Throwing a ceramic teapot handle can be done off of a larger piece of clay on the potter's wheel. Learn how to throw a teapot handle with expert tips from a master potter in this free ceramics video.