Beginner info

creamware pottery

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….
traditional polish pottery

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

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

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

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…
potters wheel history

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

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…
gifts for potters

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,…
wedge clay when you are hand building

Do You Have to Wedge Clay When You Are Hand Building?

Wedging clay is a very good idea if you are making pottery on a potter’s wheel.  But is it do you have to wedge clay when you are hand building your pottery?  I love hand building pottery and I don’t love wedging!  So, it was one of the questions I wondered about when I began…
s cracks in pottery

S Cracks in Pottery – What Causes Them & How to Prevent Them

I recently decided to make a set of dinner plates on my pottery wheel.  They turned out quite nicely, but as they dried the dreaded S crack appeared in a lot of them.  It got me frantically researching what causes S cracks in pottery and what I could do to prevent them.  This is what…
bone china with no markings

Bone China With No Markings – Sizing Up Unmarked China

Manufacturer’s markings were introduced in 1850. They help in identifying and evaluating bone china dinnerware. Hence, bone china with no markings is challenging to assess and determine its origin. Antique or early bone china pieces don’t have markings since bone china was created in 1748 before producers introduced marks and stamps. In addition, some fresh…
fine china vs bone china

Fine China Vs Bone China – What Exactly is the Difference?

The differences between Bone China and Fine China tableware are numerous. However, if you place them side by side, you might not be able to tell them apart right at once as their design is almost similar. So, what exactly are the differences between Fine China vs Bone China? Fine China was introduced in BC…