Beginner info Archives - Pottery Tips by the Pottery Wheel

How To Identify Pottery With No Markings

In theory, it is possible to identify pottery with no markings just by looking at it. But in reality, this is an almost impossible task. Pottery was often handmade, and every country and even region had its own distinctive style. Well-known artists like Picasso, and less well-known ones like Grueby, made their careers out of…

100 Pottery Quotes – Inspired Quotes about Clay & Ceramics

Pottery, clay, and ceramics lend themselves well to a fancy well-crafted turn of phrase. I love a good quote, so I decided to collect together some of the best pottery quotes I had come across. I hope you find some inspiration or at least amusement from the 100 pottery quotes that follow. Pottery Quotes to…

Buying a Used Pottery Wheel – 14 Tips to Help Your Search

The best way to improve your wheel throwing skills is to practice every day. Practicing every day is a lot easier if you have a pottery wheel at home. And buying a used pottery wheel can be a great way to save yourself some money. Here are some top tips on buying the right used…

Pearlware and Creamware Pottery – 5 Key Differences

Pearlware and creamware are two of the most popular types of fine china, but they are distinctly different. Both are decorated pieces that look very similar to each other, often using the same types of patterns. What sets them apart really is their history and what inspired them. Pearlware is fine earthenware with a white…

What Is Creamware Pottery? – Its Origins, History, and Uses

Creamware is earthenware pottery made from a combination of white clay and calcined flint. It is marked by a distinct cream color and a pale lead glaze. Creamware originated from England in the mid to the second half of the eighteenth century and is also linked to countries such as France, Italy, and the Netherlands….

What Is Traditional Polish Pottery? – And How is it Made?

Traditional Polish pottery is one of the oldest forms of folk art as it dates back thousands of years. It originates from a small region called Silesia, which is within the Polish village of Boleslawiec. For this reason, polish pottery is also referred to as Boleslawiec pottery. The beauty and functionality of Polish pottery make…

Pottery Wheel for Beginners – 14 Tips on Buying a Wheel

Buying a pottery wheel is very exciting, but it can be scary too. There are a lot of pottery wheels to choose from, and if you’re a beginner it can be hard to know which will suit you best. So, which is the best pottery wheel for beginners? In this article, I will outline 14…

Frozen Clay and Glaze – Can it Be Used and What to Do?

If you work in a cold pottery studio or workshop you may have encountered the problem of frozen clay and glaze. When exposed to frigid temperatures, such as the winter climate, clay and glazes tend to freeze. This is because they have moisture as a component. Moisture, which is basically water, expands to form crystals…

Slipware – Where Does it Come From? and How is it Made?

Slipware is a form of ceramics that involves decorating lead-glazed earthenware. Primarily, slip is a liquid form of clay particles suspended in water. That is the simplest form. In its sophisticated form, slip features feldspars, colorants, frits, and fluxes. Usually, slip is in a bright color that bears great contrast to the body of the…

Potter’s Wheel History | How Ancient Pottery Wheels Evolved

The potter’s wheel as we know it today has been on a long journey over 1000’s of years. It has developed from the most basic form of rotating device to the electrical pottery wheels, most potters use now. But exactly how and where did these changes take place, and what exactly is the potter’s wheel…

How Does a Pottery Wheel Work? – Art and Mechanics

An experienced potter can make throwing pottery on a wheel look effortless. But what is going on when pottery is being made on the wheel, and exactly how does a pottery wheel work? This post takes a look at how pottery is thrown, and how a pottery wheel works. A pottery wheel has a circular…

40 Perfect Gifts for Potters – To Suit Any Budget!

If there is a potter in your life, and you are struggling to find them a gift, you have come to the right place. Pottery is full of gadgets, doohickeys, and thingummy bobs that can make perfect gifts for potters. If you are not into making pottery yourself, it can seem like a minefield. So,…