Preparing Clay for Molding

Series Summary

Making pottery is the art of creating earthenware vessels from clay. The process involves shaping a vessel, by hand or with tools, and cooking it in a kiln. Mankind has been making pottery since the times we first learned about fire. Ancient civilizations used pottery for all sorts of things, from storing oil, wine, and other foodstuffs, to holding papyrus scrolls, the organs of dead god-kings, perfumes, and various religious offerings. Because pottery is durable and lasts long after its creator is gone, it has helped us to learn about entire groups of people that we might have otherwise never known; these hand-crafted objects tell stories, not only from their complex structural designs, but also the carefully wrought stories painted on their surfaces, a sort of iconography of a time and place in history.

In this free video clip series this clay expert will be addressing the art of slab pottery using slabs of clay instead of forming it with your hands. She will include several examples of natural hand movements you can use to create life in your pieces as well as several creative ideas for new and interesting designs no one has thought of yet. This will make each piece you make special and unique. You will learn tricks for scoring edges of clay, attaching them and even how to apply handles to a pouring bowl. Take a look at these great videos and go play in the mud!

Video Transcript

"So a great project to do on the wheel is called the garlic keeper. Now the purpose of this jar is to keep your garlic on the counter, fresher, longer. It's got a lid which keeps the garlic dark so it's less likely to sprout, because the light tends to make the garlic sprout. And then it's got holes in the front which you do as round holes or you can cut a design. Anything you like. And that provides circulation so that your garlic doesn't rot. Now first we're going to need a piece of clay for the base. Which in this case, I'm going to use a pound and a quarter. I'll take my wire tool, cut a piece of clay and weigh it. Pound and a quarter. And then for the lid, I'll use about half a pound. It doesn't have to be very exact. A little bit much. And there we go. Now take both these pieces and ball them up really nicely. And now you're ready to throw on the wheel."