Boi

Throwing pottery is one of the most rewarding things I know. When you are finished, Hot Wheels Sizzlers you look at what you vintage men's magazines created, it is truly mesmerizing. The steps below take a lot of work, and a lot of tools. But once you get the hang of it, the world is your oyster.

First you should compile and ready the following equipment before throwing pottery:

1. Potter's wheel

2. Clay

3. Bucket of water

4. Sponges

5. Wire cutting tool to remove the pot from the wheel

6. Chamois or other article to smooth the rim of the pot

7. Needle tool for trimming

Before you throw a pot, the clay should be kneaded or "wedged" to remove air bubbles. This also enables the clay to become more malleable and "plastic." The finished wedged clay should be ball shaped and bagged in plastic until it is ready to for use.

The clay should be affixed to the center of the wheel head. I usually wet the bat to allow for good suction. Throw it on and start the wheel spinning at a rapid rate. You will want to keep your clay wet and slippery in order to glide through your hands when working it.

The next step to throwing pottery is that you will need to center the clay so it becomes symmetrical on the wheel. This is usually the part that beginners have the most difficult time with. There are many different techniques and each potter seems to have their own little "spin" - no pun intended! I press my forearms onto my thighs for support and Gross Out Gang and use what I call the 7-11 technique, with the heal of my left hand pressing into the clay at "7" and my right hand in a karate-chop movement, fingers aimed at "11", pressing down on the top. Keep the clay wet and your pressure consistent. This will take practice so don't expect it to come easily. You will have many a wobble before you perfect your centering!

Your next step to making handmade pottery is to take this centered ball and make it into a cylinder. I prefer to flatten the Dark Shadows fans of my ball so it resembles a tuna can. To get your opening, brace your forearms on your legs and place your right hand against the top of spinning clay cylinder, making an indent in the very center. Once you have found the exact center, press your forefinger STRAIGHT down and then slowly remove it. At this point, you may wish to measure the bottom of your vessel. Make sure you have a good 1/2 inch worth of clay for your bottom. To enlarge the hole, place the palm of your left hand against the side or wall of the spinning cylinder. This will hold the wall of cylinder in place. Replace your index finger back into the whole and slowly pull back toward yourself. You will see the hole widen. Place a second finger in to allow yourself more control and strength as you continue widening until the hole is enlarged to the desired size of the pot. Your wall will generally be about an inch to two inches thick. Your cylinder should spin symmetrically. Move your fingers slowly to the right and left along the interior bottom of the pot to remove finger marks and to compress the clay. Always remove your hands and fingers SLOWLY. Sudden moves make for wobbly pots.

Now you will want to thin and raise the walls. Usually a finger or knuckle of the left hand is held against the inside wall toward the bottom to support the wall while the outside finger, or knuckle is moved up the outside of the wall, moving the clay up in increments. You may wish to use a sponge to keep from leaving finger marks are you raise the walls of your cylinder. The inside finger or sponge is pressed against the outside wall exactly opposite the finger or sponge on the outside. They are squeezed and raised together, thinning the wall and raising the pot. You will continue to to this until the wall is thin and yet still has the strength to stand up. Again, this takes practice so expect a certain degree of frustration. The top often becomes uneven should be leveled off after the walls are finished with your needle tool. With the inside hand poised to support the interior wall of the vessel, press the needle tool into the spinning clay until it reaches the inner finger. When completely cut all the way around, simply lift up and off. Your chamois can be used at this point to smooth the lip of the vessel. This is your basic cylinder from which every pot is made - even plates! Shaping can utilize a variety of techniques and tools and, once shaped, you may use even other tools for texture. When you are finished with your pot, with the wheel at a VERY slow speed, slip your cutting wire along the bottom to cut your pot away from the bat.

Voila! You have just made a piece of pottery. Congratulations and here's to many more happy mudding moments!

Handmade gifts provides detailed information on candles, pottery, handmade soaps and soy candles

// posted by yemdgptoe @ 9:03 AM 0 comments