Things to Consider Before Starting Pottery Making

Clay pottery making is a fun and rewarding activity, but there are some considerations you need to make before jumping into this hobby. First, think about the tools and equipment you will need. Do some shopping to decide which tools you are comfortable working with. Perhaps think about taking a class. Think about which type of pottery you would like to make. Do you want to make pieces for beauty or for function? Answering these questions will help you to determine which tools to buy.

Techniques of Pottery Making

Pottery making involves many techniques for forming and shaping the pieces. There are three types of forming techniques:

• Handwork refers to the creation of pottery in the absence of a wheel.
• Wheel work refers to the creation of pottery with the use of a rotary wheel.
• Slipcasting refers to a method of mass production in which pieces are formed from a plaster mold.

Once the clay has been formed, it must be decorated and finished. There are many different techniques to finish a piece including:

• Agateware - Agateware is made through using different colors of clay in such a way that bands of colors show through.
• Burnishing - Burnishing involves rubbing the surface of the piece with a polished surface. This causes the clay to become smooth and take on a luster.
• Engobe - Engobe involves coating leather-dried clay with slip. Slip can be painted on to create specific designs.
• Sgraffito - In Sgraffito, pottery marks are made by scratching a layer of colored slip to reveal a different color of clay bellow.

Once the piece has been shaped and finished, it needs to be glazed and fired. Glazing involves coating the piece with material that will become the surface finish after firing. The glaze will look like glass after the piece is fired. Firing the piece means bringing it up to a temperature that will harden and finish the piece. Modern kilns use gas or electricity to create sufficient heat.

Steps Involved in Making Pottery

The first thing a potter needs to do is prepare the clay. Purchase high-quality clay, and work it to evenly distribute moisture and remove any pockets of air. After the clay is smooth and workable, shaping begins, either by hand or by throwing the clay on the potter's wheel. During the shaping process, water is continually added to the clay to keep it flexible.

If you are throwing your clay, you will need to trim it as you shape it. This is done when the clay is leather hard, or stiff enough to survive being manipulated. After the desired shape is reached, the clay is allowed to air dry. This stage is called greenware. Greenware breaks easily and needs to be handled carefully.

At this point, some potters give the greenware a coating of slip to add color. Then the greenware goes in the kiln for a preliminary firing. Then it is know as bisque. Bisque is decorated with glaze, and then fired again, creating a finished piece.

Tips for Cleaning Pottery

Pottery can be fragile and will need special care when being cleaned. If you need to remove grime from a piece, soak it in an ammonia and water mixture for twenty-four hours. Pencil marks can be removed using metal polish. Mineral deposits and rust stains are best removed using white vinegar. After removing the deposits, wash the vase with soap and water to remove the vinegar smell.

Pottery making is a fun and relaxing hobby, with a rich history. From Greek pottery to Polish pottery, this hobby has spanned history and the globe. With minimal effort you can create beautiful pieces to give as gifts or to keep for yourself. Get started today!