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Craft Guide - Ceramics

Pottery is one of the most ancient crafts and dates back thousands of years to prehistoric eating and drinking vessels. The clay used in ceramics is a type of earth, available across the world, which when moist is easy to shape and when exposed to heat becomes hard and waterproof. It can be purchased from craft shops and suppliers, as can a range of tools used to work with clay. This tutorial briefly describes some of the techniques used to create handmade ceramic goods. As you become used to using clay you will begin to get a better feel of ways in which you can use it to produce both practical and ornamental pieces of work.

Pinch

To create a bowl first push your thumb into a ball of clay and then pinch the walls. By rotating the piece as you pinch it you should be able to produce an even thickness. Create a flat base by gently patting the bottom of the bowl.

Coil

Roll clay on a smooth surface, applying even pressure. When you have a number of coils roughly the thickness of a pencil, place them on top of each other. Press the clay together from the inside. Allow the piece to dry slowly to avoid cracking.

Slab

Work on a smooth flat surface, covered with cloth or newspaper. Spread out the clay by patting and rolling it to an even thickness. Cut out the bottom and sides of the planned object and leave them to dry for about an hour. Then using a sharp pencil scratch a crosswork pattern where the edges will meet. Bring the edges of the piece together, using clay with a custard like consistency to hold them in place. Using a coil in the corners will increase strength.

ceramics - a pot being turned

Potters Wheel

It is important to throw the clay into the center of the wheel. Wet your hands and the clay. Whilst the wheel is spinning, press the clay into the center. Form an opening in the center of the clay, keeping the walls even and leaving enough thickness for the base. Use a sponge to remove any water that collect inside the piece. Pull the walls up and continue until they are approximately a quarter of an inch thick. Trim the base and top and by applying gentle pressure, whilst it rotates, narrow or widen the piece to obtain the required shape.

Handles

A handle should be strong enough not only to support the weight of a piece to which it is attached but also any contents which it might be used to carry. Shape some clay into a carrot shape and pull it into the correct size and then allow it to dry. Scratch a crosswork pattern on the handle and pot where they will meet and use clay with a custard like consistency to hold them together.

Next

A way to prevent a piece of pottery from cracking as a result of drying to quickly is to place newspaper over it. This allows moisture to escape more slowly. Glazes are liquids which can be applied onto ceramics to provide colour and decoration. and after firing in a kiln they produce a smooth sealed surface.

To get a list of exhibitors who produce ceramic work use the Advanced Search on the right of this page.

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