How to Center When Throwing Ceramics
Before you can line your shelves with elegant, handmade ceramics, ensure that your clay is perfectly centered on the pottery wheel. Clay that is off-center will wobble in your hands as it spins around the wheel. Centering your clay is the first step in making pottery. It may take several attempts, but with a little persistence and some strong arm muscles, you will be ready to transform the ball of clay into a vase, bowl or other masterpiece.
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Instructions
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Moisten your clay if it is hard and dry. Rub the ball of clay with slurry or water and massage the clay until it is uniformly dampened. Add more water as needed as you work it into the clay.
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Throw the clay forcefully onto the center of the wheel. To add more force to your throw, stand up in front of the wheel, if necessary.
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Place your hands on either side of the clay and spin the wheel slowly as you shape it into a cone.
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Brace your hands and wrists with your body to force the clay into the center of the wheel. Depending on the height of the wheel, it may help to place your elbows on the insides of your knees or thighs as you push against the clay.
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Spin the wheel faster as you force the clay to the center. Keep your hands and the clay wet, adding more water as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
Take a break if you feel strain on your wrists.
Slurry is watery clay. As you work with clay, toss scraps into a bowl of water to create slurry.
References
Resources
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