From Clay To Pottery

How does clay transform into pottery? This article goes through the steps it takes to create pottery on the wheel.

• Wedging: Prepare the clay by wedging. Wedging aligns the clay particles and warm up the clay. Potters will often wedge several pieces of clay before throwing.
• Throwing: Create the major form on the pottery wheel by throwing. There are many steps involved and it takes lots of practice.
• Trimming: Once your piece is leather hard, trim the excess clay off the base and shape the foot of your piece.
• Additional Decoration: While the clay is leather hard, you can attach handles, carve out designs, or apply any additional decorative techniques.
• Bisque Fire: Once the finished piece is bone dry, it will be bisque fired. Bisque firing transforms the clay so it becomes hardened but still porous.
• Glaze: Add glaze to your piece. There are many colors to choose from and many different techniques.
• Glaze Firing: Glaze firing transforms the piece into the final pottery, the glaze will melt and become one with your pot.
• Finishing: Once your piece comes out of the kiln, sand down the foot so it’s smooth and won’t scratch other surfaces.