How to Open Clay in Pottery

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 its a craft that has endured for centuries.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pottery wheel
• Wedged and centered clay
• Potter's needle

1. Wedge and center your clay on the potter's wheel in preparation of making a simple vase form.

2. Turn your wheel to it's highest speed, using the foot pedal. Look at your form from above to be sure it's exactly centered before proceeding, or your clay will open lopsided and collapse.

3. Lay your right thumb gently on the exact center of the form, keeping both your hands and the clay wet at all times. Using your left hand for leverage, press down with your thumb with slow and steady pressure until the hole is about a half inch from the bottom or the desired depth for your vase.

4. Turn the wheel down to half speed and gently place your right palm on the outside of the form, keeping your thumb in the hole.

5. Applying pressure with your left hand, slowly pull your thumb towards your body, keeping the bottom of the vase even as you open the clay to it's desired width. Remember to make it wide enough so you can place your hand inside when you continue to work the form.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a potter's needle to measure the depth of the clay if you're not sure how close to the bottom your opening is.
• If you feel the clay starting to catch and losing it's slippery feel, you need to add more water.