Hand Thrown Pottery

Hand thrown pottery pieces are greatly priced for its unique beauty and are very popular as home decor items. If you are creatively inclined you can try your hand in making this pottery and make some great pieces of pottery for your home. There are many things that you can make, functional pieces like pitchers, mugs, plates and pots as well as different decorative pieces. The basic requirement in making hand thrown pottery are good quality clay and potter's wheel. The clay that you are using for making this pottery should be soft enough so that it can be easily formed and also hard enough so that it does not stick to your hands.

How to Make Hand Thrown Pottery Mugs

To make hand thrown pottery you will first need to work the clay so that it is malleable enough to work with. Knead the clay by placing it on a clean work surface like a table. Push the clay with the heels of your hands in an outward motion with equal pressure. When you have kneaded the clay in this way for 4 to 5 minutes, you will find the clay soft and more yielding. Now shape the clay with your hand in the form of a cylinder and make sure that it is homogeneous with no air pockets. When your clay is ready, the next step is to center it on the potter's wheel. Carefully place the clay with some pressure as close to the center of the wheel as possible. As the potter's wheel begins to rotate with speed, douse the clay with water as you begin shaping it.

As you are making a mug, shape the clay in such a way that its height and width are almost equal both at the top and the base. For making plates or dinnerware you need to center your clay in the wheel in such a way that it forms a low dome. Now shape the mug by using both your hands and periodically moisten it with more water. When you are satisfied with the shape of the pottery mug, take a strong clean piece of thread and gently work it between the base of the mug and the potter's wheel. Place the pottery mug aside and take a bit of extra clay to shape a handle and attach it to one side of the mug. Allow the mug to dry completely by placing it in a cool place. Once the mug is completely dry, place them in a kiln for firing. Now you are ready to glaze the mug.

Purchase any ready to use glaze from a local hardware store and use synthetic sable brush to apply the glaze on the mug. You can also use a natural sponge for applying glaze for more easy application. Make sure that you clean the surface of the mug thoroughly before applying glaze on the pottery. After you are done with glazing the mug, return it back to the kiln and set it at a low temperature to allow the glaze to set. Do not place the mug at a very high temperature as this will make the glaze melt and run over the surface of the piece. The best safety precaution that you can take to prevent such a mishap is to inquire from the hardware store about the glaze's temperature range.

To master the art of making hand thrown pottery, it requires a lot of practice and patience. If you want to learn to make pottery, it is a good idea to enroll yourself in a good pottery class that will teach you pottery making in detail. As you progress through your learning, you will be able to make beautiful pottery bowls and other decorative items.