Articles Index
How to Use Ceramic Stains Like Brush and Ink
You can use ceramic stains to produce lines and images that look like they were done using ink. These can be line drawings, washes, and full brush and ink style paintings. See how it is done!
Raku Firing Step by Step
Raku firing is exciting and lends itself to bold adventure. Explore how to fire pottery in the Western raku tradition, step by step.
How to Load a Kiln
Loading a kiln takes forethought and some knowledge in order to avoid destructive and expensive accidents.
How to Decorate Pottery with Colored Wax Resist
Colored wax resists are very useful for decorative techniques. They are especially useful for creating distinct color or glaze fields, including a stained glass effect as demonstrated here. They are also versatile; for example, different colored wax resists can be applied to the same pot.
A Demonstration of Crayon Wax Resist on Pottery
Crayon can be applied to a pot as a wax resist. This method is especially useful when finer lines are desired. Warming the pot first will make the crayon draw much smoother lines on the pottery.
Sponged Wax Resist Decoration Demonstration
Demonstration of one way in which wax resist can be used to create a decorative effect. In this demo, the application tool is a round sponge shape with a flat end, which is mounted on a wooden handle.
How to Build a Wedging Table
A step by step description of how to build your own wedging table, which you can use for both wedging and reclaiming clay scraps.
How to Use a Kiln Sitter
Kiln sitters are used in electric ceramic kilns as a fail-safe means of ending a firing once it has reached the target temperature, or slightly above. Once tripped, the kiln sitter automatically shuts off electrical current to the kiln elements.
A Potpourri of Slip Decorating Techniques Part 2
Decorating pottery with slips has a deep history and a wealth of variations. Slips can be used in conjunction with other decorative techniques to bring about even more decorative options for pottery.
Mishima Technique and Tools
Mishima techniques and tools and explored in this article. Mishima is a type of inlay which allows ceramists to create sharp edges and intricate designs.
How to Pack Pottery for Mailing and Shipping
Safely packing pottery to mail or ship it takes the knowledge of how to pack it so it won't break.
How to Photograph Pottery
Knowing how to photograph pottery can make a sometimes frustrating experience into a rewarding one.
Pottery and Plumbing
Pottery and plumbing can be very bad together. As a potter, you need to know what your plumbing needs are and how to handle them.
Make a Burnished Pottery Egg
Make a burnished pottery egg using the slab building method.
Throw Successful Plates
How to throw a pottery plate on the potter's wheel. Although it may seem an easy shape to throw, there are some ways the clay can trip you up.
Slab Build a Mug
Instructions for slab building a pottery mug.
The Many Uses of Pottery Needles
Potter's needles have many uses in pottery. It is one of the most basic and versatile tools available, other than the potter's hands, themselves.
A Thrown Table Lamp Demonstration
How to make a thrown pottery table lamp, from start to finish.
Make a Pinched and Thrown Pottery Goblet
Use both pinching and throwing techniques to make a unique pottery goblet.
Make an Oil Lamp Demo
A demonstration of how to make a pottery oil lamp using thrown and hand built components.
How to Open Clay while Throwing
How you open the clay on the potter's wheel will effect the rest of the throwing process. If rushed or done with poor hand placement, the pot may be doomed to be off-center.
Throw a Basic Cylindrical Pot
How to throw a pot, especially a cylinder-shaped pot, is the foundation of working on the wheel. Take the time to build skills with cylinders; it will pay off as you eventually explore more complex forms.
How to Center Clay on the Potter's Wheel
Centering clay on the potter's wheel effects all other steps of throwing pottery.
A Pottery Napkin Ring Demo
A demonstration of how to make pottery napkin rings.
Mystery Glazes for Conservation and Adventure
Conserve and recycle small amounts of raw glazes and enjoy a pottery adventure.