How to Throw a Clay Teapot
A hand-thrown clay teapot is a functional, utilitarian kitchen tool that is also aesthetically appealing. A teapot you made yourself adds an artistic and refined flourish to your tea parties. Making a teapot on the potter's wheel requires crafting skills combined with decorative abilities. It may seem impossible at first, but with persistence and practice most people can do it. The results will adorn your stove and serving tray for years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- Drawing materials
- Clay powder
- Knife
- Plastic bag
- Drywall mixer
- Bucket
- Potter's wheel
- Calipers
- Pottery shaping tools
- Kiln
- Glaze
Instructions
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1
Sketch out the design for your teapot on paper. Draw the pot's body, spout, handles and lid. Practice drawing any decorative elements you want to add to the surface of the pot by carving or glazing. Choose the color scheme for your glazes. Mix up a bag of clay, using a bucket and a drywall mud mixer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to get the proper consistency.
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2
Wedge the clay repeatedly to get rid of air bubbles and prevent the piece from blowing up in the kiln. Roll the clay into a ball then knead it with your hands. Roll it back up and slice the ball in two with a knife. Slam the halves firmly together and roll out or knead the lump. Repeat until the clay has a consistent texture indicating all the air has been squeezed out. Seal the clay in a plastic bag to keep it wet.
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3
Form a 1 1/2 pound lump of clay into a ball and slam it into the center of the potter's wheel so it sticks. Keep your hands wet throughout the throwing process. Center the clay, flatten the top of the ball with pressure from your hands and open a hole in its center with your thumbs. Pull the clay outward and upward with your fingers on the inside and your thumb outside the pot's wall.
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4
Throw another bowl the same size as the first. Cut the bowls off the wheel with wire. Score the rims and weld the two halves together with your fingers using slip, or liquid clay. Throw a spout and a lid for the teapot. Measure the pot opening and the lid with calipers for a precise fit. Poke drain holes and attach the spout with slip.
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5
Add a knob to the lid. Pull a cylinder or flat slab of clay into a handle using water to make the clay pliable. Attach the handle. Trim the lid and opening when the clay gets leathery dry until they fit perfectly. Trim a foot into the bottom of the pot. Dry the pot, then fire it to cone 6 or about 1830 degrees Fahrenheit. Glaze it and refire to cone 6.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your teapot walls uniformly thin.
Use food safe glazes.
Avoid inhaling toxic clay dust.
References
- Photo Credit teapot image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
