How to Create Hand-thrown Pottery

Hand throwing pottery is basically creating pieces on the potter's wheel, a skill anyone can master. The process of creating hand-thrown pottery can be learned at a studio or at home, provided you have the right equipment.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Clay
• Potter's wheel
• Synthetic or wooden bat
• String
• Wooden knife

1. Cut out a piece of clay using a string to create hand-thrown pottery. This simple string cutting will measure out the clay better than using a knife or spatula. Do not cut the clay out until you are ready to use it.

2. Wedge your clay out on a table. Take the clay and pound it with your hands, kneading out the air bubbles and making it more pliable.

3. Prepare the wheel for the clay by putting a "bat" down on it. These bats are generally made of synthetic materials or wood, and adhere to the pins on the wheel head. Make sure the bat is firmly adhered to the wheel and then moisten the bat with water.

4. Center your clay on the bat. You will know the clay is positioned accurately when you can hold your fingers in place while working with the clay instead of having them move around. Keep your elbows down while using your fingers in the clay to help steady you.

5. Use two fingers on your left hand to create a hole in the clay. Put them together and pull up the sides of the clay while the wheel turns. Keep your elbows down while pulling the clay.

6. Shape your clay with your hands and fingers as the wheel spins. After you create the shape you want, scrape away excess clay. Trim with a wooden knife. You can also decorate hand thrown pottery with this knife.

7. Remove the pottery from the bat by taking the string you used in the beginning and holding it tight against the pottery. Spin the wheel slowly and pull towards yourself with the string while keeping your thumbs positioned on the wheel. Make sure the string goes all the way through to remove the pottery from the bat.

Tips & Warnings

• Moisten your fingers before working with clay and keep water nearby to remoisten as necessary.

• Start with small projects before progressing on to larger hand-thrown items.