How To Create Pottery
Ever wanted to learn the magic of turning a lump of clay into a beautiful, functional piece of ceramic? I'm talking rustic mugs, a simple bowls and sculpted vases - this is what pottery allows you to create with just your hands. If you’ve wanted to try it but weren’t sure where to start, this guide walks you through the entire process, from raw clay to finished ceramic masterpiece, to taking a pottery class.
1. Choose Your Clay
Not all clay is the same. Your choice affects how easy it is to work with and how your final piece looks.
Common Types of Clay
Earthenware: Soft, easy to shape, great for beginners; fires at lower temperatures.
Stoneware: Durable and versatile; commonly used for dishware.
Porcelain: Smooth and elegant, but challenging; better for intermediate potters.
Tip: Beginners should start with earthenware or stoneware. They’re forgiving and widely available.
2. Gather Your Tools
You don’t need a fully-equipped studio. Start with the basics:
Clay
Pottery wheel (optional for hand-building)
Rolling pin or slab roller
Needle tool
Wooden rib or metal rib
Sponge
Cutting wire
Kiln access (local studio or community center)
3. Prepare the Clay (Wedging)
Before shaping, you must wedge (knead) the clay to:
Remove air bubbles (which can cause explosions in the kiln)
Make the clay smooth and consistent
Improve plasticity and workability
There are two common wedging techniques: ram’s head and spiral wedging. Both work fine for beginners.
4. Shape Your Pottery
You can create pottery using two main methods:
A. Hand-Building
Perfect for beginners and doesn’t require a wheel (just like we do in Art Play's Hand-Building Pottery Class)
Techniques include:
Pinch pots: Shape clay by pinching with your fingers.
Coil building: Create forms by stacking long clay coils.
Slab building: Roll clay into flat sheets and assemble shapes.
B. Wheel Throwing
This classic technique produces symmetrical, smooth pieces.
Basic steps:
Place clay firmly on the wheel.
Centre the clay (arguably the hardest part!).
Open the centre with your thumbs.
Pull the walls upward while controlling thickness.
Shape the form using your hands and ribs.
5. Let the Clay Dry (Leather-Hard Stage)
After shaping, let the piece dry until it becomes leather-hard - firm but still workable. At this stage, you can:
Trim excess clay
Attach handles or decorations
Carve designs
Avoid moving the piece too much during this stage; it's fragile.
6. Bisque Firing (Optional!)
Once fully dry (bone dry), your piece goes into the kiln for the first firing - called bisque firing.
This firing:
Hardens the clay
Prepares the surface for glazing
Increases durability
7. Glazing
Glazing adds colour, texture, and a glassy finish. You can apply glaze through:
Dipping
Brushing
Pouring
Spraying
Tip: Wipe the bottom clean. If glaze gets on the base, it will fuse to the kiln shelf.
8. Glaze Firing
The second firing melts the glaze and solidifies your piece. Temperature depends on clay type - stoneware, for example, fires at higher temps than earthenware.
After cooling, you’re left with a finished piece of pottery!
9. Enjoy Your Handmade Creation
Once fired and cooled, your pottery is ready to use or display. Whether it’s a mug for your morning coffee or a gift for someone special, handmade pottery carries a unique charm.
Famous Last Words
Creating pottery can be deeply rewarding lets you test your creativity, every one of your senses, attention to detail and patience, at once. Each piece you make improves your technique and teaches you something new about the craft. Don’t worry if your first creations aren’t perfect ... that’s part of the journey!
