118. 8 Top Tips for Making Pots on the Potter's Wheel
Oxford Clay Podcast
Episode 118: 8 Top Tips for Making Pots on the Potter's Wheel
In this episode, I tell you about eight of the most important things I’ve learned from years of making pots on the pottery wheel. Take what resonates in this episode and leave what doesn’t.
✨Do it your way that feels right for your body.
✨Wedge or knead your clay really well before making anything - this will help to centre the clay.
✨Anchor your arms on the wheel basin as you need a strong stance to be able to control the clay.
✨Water, water, water, water!
✨Clean the pottery wheel after centring the clay before you start shaping your pot.
✨Go at the right speed for the stage you’re making - fast for centring and slow for shaping your pot. When you start bringing the clay up go at the speed the clay wants to go at (usually slowly!).
✨Try throwing two separate shapes to create pots that would be difficult to make otherwise, such as vases with long necks and wide bases. The pieces can be joined at the leather-hard stage on the potters' wheel with slip.
✨Leave lots of time for tidying up the pottery wheel to make this part of the process as enjoyable as possible!
