Made Of Clay: The 101 Of Pottery
Have you ever wanted to create something with your own two hands that’s one of a kind? Branch out from your other creative outlets, like painting or creating sculptures, and try out the classic art of pottery. Clay is a beautiful and versatile material that has been used by cultures all over the world for centuries. It's perfect for beginners because it's easy to work with and forgiving if you make a mistake. We know that starting a new hobby can be rather daunting, so we’ve created this beginner’s guide to streamline the process.
Is Pottery For Me?
Working with clay is an art in itself, just consider how amazing it is that you’ll be learning to sculpt a beautiful cup from a slab of clay. It is an extremely immersive experience as you are forced to focus on the task that’s in front of you, making the process extremely therapeutic and a great escape from your busy life. Another positive about pottery is that is it never boring; you can always take on new projects and explore different shapes, construction techniques, and designs. Once you’ve entered the elusive world of pottery, you’ll be embarking on a lifelong adventure.
Where Can I Do It?
We recommend keeping this hobby restrained to one room, as it can become quite messy at times. If you don’t have pottery classes or studios nearby, try converting a corner of your room into a mini pottery studio. Make sure the specific place has these things;
Easy to clean floors
A strong table
Drying shelf
Cabinet
What Materials Do I Need?
There are a few materials that you'll need to get started. Firstly, you'll need some clay. There are many different types of clay available, so it's important to choose one that is suitable for your project. The different types of clay are;
Earthenware Clay - Easy to work with and shape, porous making it perfect for flowerpots, can make anything with this clay, is usually red or orange and sometimes white.
Stoneware Clay - Can last longer making it a great clay to use for dinnerware and mugs, very durable, and can be found in white, brown and grey tones
Porcelain Clay - Feels smooth but is less forgiving than other clays, dries out quicker, most regal of all the types of clay and comes in only a white hue
Earthenware and Stoneware are the best beginner ones
Additionally, you'll need some pottery tools. These can be anything from simple wooden dowels and sponges to more specialised tools like clay cutters and carving knives. For starters, here are the essential tools;
Towels
Apron
Small bucket to store water and slurry
Medium-sized sponges
Large soft brush
Potter’s needle
Cut-out wire
Storing box for tools
Pottery wheel
And be sure to find a local kiln space, try out your local studios!
We recommend using this video as a starting point