Are you beginning to create pottery? Pottery can be a mild interest, consuming little of your time or money, or it can become a major part of your life. If you are just starting out, it is a good idea to try pottery out either in a beginner's class or by buying a bit of clay and doing some hand building on your own. If you are starting out on your own, here are some tips on how to begin.
As You Get Started
Clay is fascinating, there is no mistake, and it will lend itself to your skill level whatever that skill level may be. Pinch pots are easily accessible to nearly everyone, including young children. You can easily learn to make a pinch pot in less than an hour. On the other hand, many production potters as a matter of course throw over 100 cups in a day that are near-perfect replicas of each other. That level of skill takes years to develop.
Be prepared for a fine adventure as you enter the world of pottery, for clay is as deep and as broad as the earth it comes from.
Where Is the Best Place to Work?
Kitchen tables work well; they are sturdy and protected from the elements that will dry out your clay too quickly. You also have access to a sink, for final washing of hands and tools. Important: Clay should never go down your drain, as it will eventually clog your plumbing. Use buckets of water to wash hands and tools in first and recycle the clay that settles.
Drying pots should be stored on sturdy shelving that won't get bumped. Glazes need to be stored where pets and children cannot get to them.
Another option is to defer finding a space of your own while trying pottery out. The easiest way to do this is to take a pottery class.
Before You Buy Clay and Glazes
I would suggest you begin by finding a local potter who will rent you kiln space (see more below). Find out what temperature(s) they usually fire to, and what atmosphere (oxidation, neutral, or reduction) they fire in. Get clay and glazes that mature in that firing range and in that atmosphere.
Finding Clay and Supplies
Ready-to-use clay and glazes are readily available. These come in a variety of colors (which refers to the fired clay) and temperature ranges.
Small beginner's tool packets are also available. They usually contain many of the basic tools, including an appropriate sponge. (Don't use a regular kitchen sponge. They quickly begin to loose bits and pieces into your clay.)
Check with your local artist supply store or art supply retailer. As you use larger quantities, you may want to order clay, glazes, and other supplies in bulk. Local stores may be able to help you, or you can check out bulk retailers online.
Working Surfaces
Clay will stick to or leave vast smears on most surfaces. It can also be impossible to separate a newly formed clay object from the surface it was formed on. For this reason it is best to work on a piece of sturdy canvas, such as a mid- to heavy weight cotton duck. Not only does it protect your table, you can easily pull the canvas away from the pot, which allows it to dry without cracking.
When your clay is too wet to easily work, plaster bats are very useful. The plaster soaks up excess water from the clay as you wedge the clay on the bat. To make one take a shallow box, like a clean pizza box, mix your plaster according to the directions, and pour it into the box. Once set and cured, you will have a plaster bat.
Finding Kiln Space
Dry greenware is ready to fire when it is bone dry (no longer cool to the touch). For this, you need a kiln. For someone just getting started, a kiln is often too expensive to buy.
Ask local potters if they rent kiln space. Many will. Remember, though, that they are working on their own pottery and have their own schedules. You may have to wait until they have a kiln-load that has space for your pots, too.
If you are interested in the firing process, don't be shy to ask if you can help. There is nothing like experience to understand everything involved in firing a kiln. The potter may really appreciate the help with loading and unloading kilns and tending them as they fire.
Hey! My Pot Shrunk!
Yes, it is true. Your eyes are not deceiving you. Clay shrinks as it dries. Some clay bodies shrink more than others. Pots also shrink when they are fired, especially when fired to their mature temperature. In both cases, the shrinkage is due to the fiber of the clay becoming tighter. In the first case this is through the removal of water molecules. In the second case, the tightening is caused by the melting that occurs on the molecular level.
