johnaxelarvesu60
Making ceramics is a fun and interesting hobby for people of all ages and abilities. Once you know the basics, you'll be able to start creating your own pieces at home. Depending on the type of clay you use, you may need to use a kiln to make sure your ceramics are safe to use. No matter which techniques you prefer, it’s surprisingly easy to learn how to make beautiful masterpieces!
1 Select a pottery wheel and 2 lbs (907 g) of clay for your project. Choose a standard wet clay in a natural color, and opt for an electric pottery wheel for your first projects, since they tend to be easier to control and use. If you’re starting with a large block of clay, break off and weigh your clay before starting your piece.
johnaxelarvesu60
This is the standard amount to begin with, since working with too much clay can be very difficult for a beginner.[2] Be sure to read the package instructions before working with the clay, since specific brands normally have different requirements for drying and firing clay. Once you get more experience with using the pottery wheel, you can use more clay to build larger projects.
johnaxelarvesu60
2 Pull off a small piece of clay to work with. For a small dish, such as a ring dish or a small plate, roll the clay into a walnut-sized ball. For larger items, like a dinner plate or salad dish, start with a baseball-sized ball. Remember, you can always remove excess clay, but it’s difficult to add more once you’ve shaped your piece. If you’re pulling a piece from a big block of clay, it may be helpful to use a strand of wire to cut off a piece of clay to work with.
johnaxelarvesu60
3 Knead the clay until it’s soft and roll it out to 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick. Press your thumbs into the clay to warm it up, and pinch and pull on the material to soften it. It’s better to have the clay as soft and pliable as possible. Then, shape the soft clay back into a ball, and use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a sheet.[1] You can make the clay as thin as 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) thick, but if the clay is too thin, it will become hard to work with.
johnaxelarvesu60
4 Pinch and shape the clay with your hands to achieve the look you want. Cut the sheet of clay into your desired shape using a pointed knife or specialized clay cutting tool. Some ideas include a circular, square, or abstract shape. Then, use your hands to smooth the corners and edges. If you want to make a standard-sized dinner plate, use a plate that you already own as a guide for the shape and size.
johnaxelarvesu60
Tip: If you’re having trouble smoothing the edges of your piece, dip your fingers into a glass of water and run them along the clay to get a smooth finish.
johnaxelarvesu60
5 Remove air bubbles to prevent cracking if you’re going to use a kiln. As you’re working with the clay, feel for areas where there may be air trapped inside of the clay, and poke the spot gently with a needle to release the air. Then, smooth the area with your fingers and a bit of water before allowing the clay to dry. Air bubbles can easily cause the pottery to crack or even explode in the kiln, so it’s important to remove them before firing and glazing!
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Using a Pottery Wheel
1
Select a pottery wheel and 2 lbs (907 g) of clay for your project. Choose a standard wet clay in a natural color, and opt for an electric pottery wheel for your first projects, since they tend to be easier to control and use. If you’re starting with a large block of clay, break off and weigh your clay before starting your piece.
Be sure to read the package instructions before working with the clay, since specific brands normally have different requirements for drying and firing clay.
Once you get more experience with using the pottery wheel, you can use more clay to build larger projects.
Pull off a small piece of clay to work with. For a small dish, such as a ring dish or a small plate, roll the clay into a walnut-sized ball. For larger items, like a dinner plate or salad dish, start with a baseball-sized ball. Remember, you can always remove excess clay, but it’s difficult to add more once you’ve shaped your piece.
If you’re pulling a piece from a big block of clay, it may be helpful to use a strand of wire to cut off a piece of clay to work with.
Knead the clay until it’s soft and roll it out to 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick. Press your thumbs into the clay to warm it up, and pinch and pull on the material to soften it. It’s better to have the clay as soft and pliable as possible. Then, shape the soft clay back into a ball, and use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a sheet.[1]
You can make the clay as thin as 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) thick, but if the clay is too thin, it will become hard to work with.
Pinch and shape the clay with your hands to achieve the look you want. Cut the sheet of clay into your desired shape using a pointed knife or specialized clay cutting tool. Some ideas include a circular, square, or abstract shape. Then, use your hands to smooth the corners and edges. If you want to make a standard-sized dinner plate, use a plate that you already own as a guide for the shape and size.
Remove air bubbles to prevent cracking if you’re going to use a kiln. As you’re working with the clay, feel for areas where there may be air trapped inside of the clay, and poke the spot gently with a needle to release the air. Then, smooth the area with your fingers and a bit of water before allowing the clay to dry.
Air bubbles can easily cause the pottery to crack or even explode in the kiln, so it’s important to remove them before firing and glazing!