How to Make Earthenware Pottery

Earthenware is used extensively for pottery, tableware and decorative objects. It usually appears in buff or white colors, but red earthenware is the most highly recognizable color and is usually made from red clay. Although not as strong as stoneware, earthenware is one of the oldest types of pottery and remains popular due to its affordability and ease of working.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Apron or overcoat
• Small knife
• Water
• Glaze and other decor
• Clay suitable for earthenware
• Pottery wheel

Prepare for Making Earthenware Pottery

1. Know what types of clay suit earthenware best. Red clay is commonly used for its beautiful color and high iron oxide mineral content, which lends itself to ease of use.

2. Prep your clay for use on the pottery wheel. It is necessary to knead and toss the clay repeatedly onto a flat surface to redistribute the minerals.

3. Rid the clay of air bubbles. As you toss and knead the clay, use a small, thin knife to periodically slice the clay as you check for remaining air bubbles.

4. Moisten your hands as you continue to handle the clay. Clay can dry very quickly when exposed to air and repeatedly worked through your hands. Using water helps to maintain the crucial moisture balance necessary for use on the wheel.

5. Moisten your pottery wheel. A quickly applied layer of thin water will do wonders for your impending project. Water allows the clay to adhere to the wheel, forming a sticky grip.

Make Earthenware Pottery

1. Place the clay mound in the exact center of the wheel. It's necessary to center the mound in order to create balance once the wheel is turned on.

2. Turn on your pottery wheel. Operating at a low speed, use the force of your body weight to mold the clay into a smoother shape as you simultaneously keep the clay centered.

3. Begin to move your hands to the base of the mound once it has been rounded and all angles are smoothed. Using your body weight, lean your hands into the clay to raise the height of the shape.

4. Keep one hand on the clay and use the other to press down gently. This creates a shorter piece of pottery.

5. Experiment with pressure. Move your hands gradually up and down the sides and vary the pressure of your movement until the desired effect is achieved.

6. Glaze it! Earthenware is highly porous and should be glazed once dry in order to make it watertight.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying inexpensive commercial clay to practice with if you are new to a pottery wheel. That way, you can get used to the rhythms and speeds of working on a wheel versus using your hands to make earthenware.