Finishing the Pot Trimmed During Throwing
Pots that are thrown without excess floor, used to create a foot ring, still need some attention after they are thrown. Once the pot has been formed and trimmed on the wheel, it is cut off then left on the bat to dry until it is leather hard. When the pot can be handled without deforming, it should be lifted from the bat.
Turn the pot upside down. The bottom will show the marks of the cut-off line or wire. Brush away any crumbs of clay left over from trimming. Use either the pad of a finger or a barely moistened sponge and smooth the bottom edges and surface. Smoothing the bottom surfaces will help keep the pot from marring table surfaces that it is placed on after firing.
Finishing Trimmed Feet
Another option is to throw the pot with a deliberately thick bottom, with the intention of trimming away the excess clay when the clay is leather hard. Do as much trimming of the walls as possible while the pot is still on the wheel at the end of throwing, then cut it off. Once it is leather hard, a foot ring can be trimmed. Foot rings are often an elegant solution to the visual bottom of the pot.
Signing or Marking Your Pot
Most potters want to identify themselves as the makers of the pots they produce. You can make your own potter's mark from wood or bisqued clay, then impress it in the clay while it is still damp.
Pots can also be signed when they are leather hard, once the trimming and smoothing has been completed. To incise your signature or sign, use a dull pointer tool or dull pencil. Do not use a potter's needle or other sharp tool, since the sharp cut can encourage cracking. You can also sign your pot with a brush, using stain or slip.
