eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Pottery: Clay Preparation
Pottery: Centering Clay
Pottery: Opening the Base
Pottery: Creating Base Walls
Pottery: Using a Torch
Pottery: Finalizing Base Form
Pottery: Centering the Neck
Pottery: Pulling the Neck
Pottery: Finalizing the Neck
Pottery: Preparing to Connect Clay Pieces
Pottery: Connecting Clay Pieces
Pottery: Ribbon Tool
Pottery: Inverted Lid
Pottery: Pulling the Inverted Lid
Pottery: Making & Attaching a Knob
Pottery: Preparing a Handle
Pottery: Pulling the Handle
Pottery: Finishing Handle
Pottery: Centering & Opening Bottom Bowl
Pottery: Pulling Bowl Walls
Pottery: Pulling Top of the Bowl
Pottery: Finishing Top of the Bowl
Pottery: Preparing to Connect Bowl Pieces
Pottery: Connecting Bowl Pieces
Pottery: Throwing the Neck of the Bowl
Pottery: Making & Attaching Bowl Knobs
Every pottery studio is set up in a certain way and each way is very important. Learn some tips on how thi… More
Whether a potter enjoys making vases, jewelry or tiles, there are quite a few pottery-making supplies that… More
There are different types of clay used for a particular kind of ceramic work such as throwing on the wheel… More
Learn about pounding the clay into a ball in this free arts and crafts video series taught by a pottery ex… More
Centering the clay on the pottery wheel will help you shape and mold your clay piece. Learn some tips for … More
Shape and form pots and pottery and learn about clay formation with expert tips and advice on pottery in t… More
Clay coils can be made by hand or with an extruder to be more precise. Learn how to smooth a clay coil wal… More
Clay coils can be made by hand or with an extruder to be more precise. Learn how to shape a clay coil wall… More
Shape and form pots and pottery and learn about project manipulation with expert tips and advice on potter… More
Learn some tips for widening your starting hole on your pottery wheel project in this free arts and crafts… More
Learn how to create a narrow clay neck when you make a pottery vase with expert tips for throwing on a pot… More
Shape and form pots and pottery and learn how to apply slip with expert tips and advice on pottery in this… More
Trimming is an important step in clay pottery that molds each piece to its desired form quickly and easily… More
Shape and form pots and pottery and learn how to remove pottery from the wheel with expert tips and advice… More
Summary: Centering the clay on the pottery wheel will help you shape and mold your clay piece. Learn some tips for centering the clay with tips for a pottery expert in this free craft video.
Emily Owen was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Owen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a bachelor's of Science from the University of Texas in Austin with a total of 180 hours...read more
"So the first step is going to be centering the clay on the wheel. You want to take your nicely rounded ball of clay and smack it down hard in the center of the wheel. Now, when you're centering, the important thing is to use your body weight against the clay, and not your strength. And the way you're going to do that, is by leaning onto your splash pan, or jamming your elbow into your hip, anyway that you can to have the stability coming from your weight, and not from your strength. You're going to have the heel of your left hand up against the clay, and your right hand is going to be doing the work, pushing the clay towards your left hand. Now, I like to get my sponge wet enough that if I squeeze it, water comes out, but it's not dripping on its own accord. Start the wheel turning. Get a little moisture on that piece of clay, and then take your right hand and push down and towards the left hand. And once you've got it towards your left hand, push up, and towards the left hand, and then take your right hand in a fist and push down. Now the left hand is stabilizing this clay, keeping it from spreading out too far, and also the left pinkie is underneath just a little bit, so that the base of this pile of clay doesn't spread out. And once the clay looks and feels like it's not wobbling and moving very much, you've got it on center, and you're ready to move to the next step."
eHow Article: Pottery: Centering Clay
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
