A Beginner's Guide To Starting Your Home Pottery Journey

Many kids love the joy involved in making their hands messy and creating artefacts out of them. Pottery is an ancient artform that allows people to use their hands and creative caps to spin magic out of easy materials like clay. Be it practical use or innovative indulgence, the final outcomes of this activity deliver multiple benefits to all who engage in this craft. 

Here’s a beginner’s guide to taking up pottery at home:

Types

Before you go around traipsing for materials, the task begins from deciding which type of pottery you wish to take up. Depending on your skill level, financial investment and personal interests, you possess free will to pick from multiple techniques. Hand moulding techniques like slab pottery involve joining rolled slabs of clay to create a sharp piece while coil pots require one to layer several strips of material to create a product. Pinch pottery is a technique used to create pieces by pinching clay between the thumb and fingers and is particularly suited for children.

Materials required

Once you have decided on your type, you can proceed to head to the market and purchase the required materials. Beginners may opt for air-dried clay to avoid using a kiln in the end process while those more advanced can pick ceramic to design pieces with wider usage. Grog are fired granular pieces of clay that are added to the material to make it more sturdy while moulding. A potter’s wheel is a must for those who wish to go for the classic techniques instead of hand moulding. Stoneware clay works best for beginners and you can gradually proceed to porcelain and earthenware alternatives with time. Make sure to keep a water bowl nearby to use throughout.

Process

Start by wedging a block of clay to remove all air bubbles. Gently wet your hands and clay to make the latter easier to work with. Roll a ball from the material and skillfully throw it onto the wheel head right at the centre. Once the foundation is sturdy you can keep spinning the wheel using the foot pedal and use your fingers to support and shape the clay. Once you’ve reached your desired shape, gently slice the pot from the base. You may trim the piece and attach handles if needed. For those using a kiln, let the piece air dry first followed by a round of bisque firing. Apply glaze and fire your piece for the second time.

Storage and precautions

Parul Gupta, a pottery enthusiast, shares certain precautions one must follow during the activity. “Wear a proper mask before using dry clay. Ensure proper light in your workspace. Always use a wet mop to clean surroundings once work is wrapped. Any additional glaze or colours used should be non-toxic. Wear gloves while using chemicals, check for temperature before baking pots and keep your at-home kiln in a well-ventilated space.” Since pottery involves working directly with your hands, cleaning up the workspace and yourself after each activity is extremely important. Pick clothes that are light, airy and comfortable to spoil. “Treat the finished pieces like your baby. Wrap them in either bubble wrap or some foam and keep them on higher shelves if you have children at home. Display them in open wooden or glass shelves with focused light,” she adds.

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Cost involved

Heavy financial involvements in this craft involve the initial purchase cost of buying a potter’s wheel and a kiln. However, those looking to take up the hobby recreationally or for those on a tight budget, there are many alternatives to pick from. Materials can be found in all price ranges so it makes better sense for beginners to opt for cheaper products initially and gradually level up as their interest builds. Those who wish to avoid buying these two equipment pieces all together can opt for hand moulding or get their pieces fired from an external location to steer clear of the investment, space and effort required in maintaining a kiln at home. Revealing her motivation to take up this activity, Parul shares, “I see evolution in it. Like a baby in a womb then grows into an adult, similarly a handful of clay turns into a finished beautiful piece.” Despite the initial cost involved, the long-term benefits of taking up this activity far out measure any additional strings attached to it.

Spin magic from clay by taking up pottery as a hobby at home.