Throwing a pot on a wheel isn’t easy. It takes many tries to make something that looks even slightly symmetrical. Slab pottery on the other hand is much easier to start out with because it requires no expensive pottery wheel and very few techniques. To get started, you’ll only need: Air dry clay Rolling pin…
Ceramics and pottery might be tens of thousands of years old, but even today artists find new and innovative ways to give a unique spin to their pots, plates, and vases. Fortunately, it’s now easier than ever before to look at and be inspired by the work of others. Below, you can find my 10…
You often hear people use the words “ceramics” and “pottery” interchangeably. Admittedly, they are very similar. But there is actually a slight difference between these two words that is important to know. All pottery is considered ceramics, but not all ceramics is considered to be pottery. Continue reading if you want to know more! What…
There is more to pottery and ceramics than simply shaping the clay. One of the steps that is often overlooked by beginners is the glazing process. Glazing might not sound as fun as throwing clay on a wheel at first. But once you start experimenting with different glazes, a whole new work opens up for…
Even though you might not realize it, you can find ceramic materials almost anywhere you go. It is pretty amazing to realize that the techniques and materials that our ancestors discovered are still used to this very day in one way or another. But technology hasn’t stood still! Although we still make and use a…
As a new potter, you may have heard the word “cone” thrown around here and there. People often use this term to describe at what temperature you need to fire clay, or what the maximum temperature of a kiln is. Knowing what cones are and how to convert them to Fahrenheit or Celsius is important…
Did you find a big hairline crack in one of your ceramic pieces? In most cases, the easiest thing to do is to simply buy or make a new one. But if this particular cup, bowl, or plate has a lot of sentimental value because it was given to you by someone special, then you…
In order to make pottery, you need to fire your clay to turn them into ceramic. Having a reliable kiln that can reach temperatures that are high enough is crucial for success. Heating some pots might sound easy, but it’s crucial to use the right temperature, the right thermal ramp rate, and even heating. If…
Pottery has been around for thousands of years. For some it’s a passion and for others a fun hobby. There are many ways to get into pottery and start throwing your first pot, even if you have no prior experience. So here are 10 different ways to explore your newfound interest in pottery. 1) Pottery…
When you’re a potter, one of the most important questions you have to ask yourself is “how hot does my kiln need to be?” The temperature of your kiln will determine the characteristics of your finished pieces, so it’s important to get it just right. In this blog post, I’ll go over how hot an…
