Lesley
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Firing Pots with Lids – How to Dry and Fire Lidded Pots
I recently made my first pot with a lid on it. I was at pains to make sure the lid was a perfect fit. But I know that clay shrinks when it dries and can warp when it’s fired. And I didn’t want my perfect lidded pot to be ruined. So, before I let it…
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Best Clay for Handbuilding – Tips on Choosing Pottery Clay
If you are making pottery without a wheel, you may be wondering about the best clay for handbuilding. Pottery clay for handbuilding needs to have certain properties. In this article, I will look at what those properties are and which clay you will find them in. The best clay for handbuilding is stoneware or earthenware…
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How to Roll a Clay Coil – 12 Tips for Making Perfect Coils
The first step in making coil pottery is learning how to roll a clay coil. This might sound simple, and of course, in some ways, it is. But, it is also a bit of a skill. When I started making coil pots, I was surprised by how tricky it can be to roll a clay…
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How to Raku Fire Pottery- Tips on the Raku Firing Process
Since I started using my DIY raku kiln, I have picked up some tips on the raku firing process. It took me a few tries at firing a raku kiln to use it successfully. And I imagine that the same is true for other people starting out. So, I thought I’d write an article and…
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What is Anna Pottery? – Pigs, Snakes and Other Reptiles
You may be a pottery enthusiast or, better yet, an antique collector. At one point in your endeavors, you might have come across the term Anna pottery and wondered, “what is Anna pottery?”. Well, worry not. This article will provide a description of what Anna pottery is all about. Anna pottery is stoneware from Anna,…
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What is Pottery Glaze Made of? Understanding Pottery Glaze
Glaze is the glass coating on the surface of pottery items. It can give the surface a glossy, matte, smooth, textured, opaque, or clear finish. Varying glaze compositions result in different glaze outcomes after firing. Each component has its function that like magic, transforms the glaze’s appearance after firing. Pottery glazes consist of three basic…
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What is Wheel Throwing? – Pottery on the Wheel in a Nutshell
If you’re new to pottery, you may have the term throwing on the wheel, and wondered, ‘what is wheel throwing’? It’s a curious phrase and open to some misunderstanding. So, this article is all about wheel throwing and what it means. Wheel throwing pottery is the process of shaping clay on the pottery wheel. Throwing…
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How to Make Pottery at Home – A Beginners Guide
When I started to make pottery from home, I really just made it up as I went along. En route, I encountered a few practical issues that I had not anticipated. So, I thought it would be helpful to write a simple guide on how to make pottery at home. To help you avoid some…
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Types of Clay for Pottery – The 5 Main Types of Ceramic Clay
If you’re starting out in ceramics, you may be wondering about the different types of clay for pottery. This information can feel overwhelming, so I thought it would be helpful to give a clear overview of the key differences. In this article, I will take a walk through the main different types of clay for…
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What is Pottery Clay Made Of? – Getting The Dirt on Clay
If you are a potter, or simply own some pottery, you may have wondered what is pottery clay made of? You need not wonder anymore, in this article we will dive into this topic and discuss the basics of pottery clay. We will look at how it occurs naturally, how it is processed and the…
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Melting Marbles in Pottery – Ways to Fuse Glass onto Clay
One of the first pieces of pottery I made in pre-school involved melting marbles in pottery. However, mixing glass with ceramics is not just for kid’s projects. It is a technique much used by potters and can create lovely results in a few simple steps. To melt marbles in pottery, make a small shallow dish…
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Can You Put Wet Clay in The Kiln? – Avoid it Exploding!
It can be daunting learning how to fire pottery. There are lots of factors to think about. And you may have found yourself wondering if you can put wet clay in the kiln. Or perhaps you are in a hurry, and you want to fire your pottery in time for a deadline. Potters do sometimes…