Secrets to Mistakes in Pottery Throwing — Spinning Pots

The simplicity and appeal of pottery throwing cannot be overstated. The sound of the wheel turning, the feeling of dirt and clay between one’s fingers, and the ability to take a lump of mud and create something useful or beautiful is enthralling. However, as with any art form, pottery throwing has its complications. Avoiding common mistakes in pottery throwing is the key to mastering the craft. These include improper clay preparation (wedging and moisture content) and uneven pressure while shaping the clay on the wheel. In this article, you will find the essential things that will help you avoid these mistakes and learn how to correct the situation if they have transpired already.

Essential Techniques for Successful Pottery Throwing

Here are some techniques for successful pottery throwing to undo the mistakes!

One aspect that should be given more attention is wedging, where you knead your clay. However, immersing clay in water may cause an explosion as air pockets are trapped in the clay when it is inside the kiln. Wedging can be thought of as folding the clay in half many times with all the air bubbles squeezed on each fold. The density should be even and compact, with no cracks or air bubbles within the cement structure.