Tip & How-To about Crafts & Hobbies

Getting Started with Pottery

Other than just being famous for the scene in the movie Ghost, pottery is a wonderful craft that can be incredibly relaxing and creative.
It is not easy to get started with pottery at home without some basic knowledge and tools, so you might want to begin with a short course in pottery at a local center.

But once you get started, here are some tips for you:

    1. Low-fire clays are good for bright colors and detailed patterns. But they need a good glaze to help seal them against water damage.
    2. High-fire clays are much more waterproof, just not as good with bright colors.
    3. Pottery by hand this is the simplest method when you do not have a potters wheel and are keeping your projects small. You take a small amount of clay and work it with your hand. Once you have shaped it, you can use a damp sponge to smooth the surfaces.
    4. A potters wheel is not something most people have at home but if you do get access to one, it is great for round, symmetrical objects. If you use a potters wheel you will need a kiln at the end for finishing.
    5. Once you have put your pottery in the kiln (get advice about how many hours your particular piece needs), you can now paint and glaze your piece.
    Pottery is a complicated art form that has many stages but it is really worth it when you get to produce a piece that you have made yourself from start to finish.

    Good Luck

Posted by on

Crafts & Hobbies Logo

Related Topics:

Related Questions:

0helpful
3answers

I want to buy a Kodak camera--that has the video feature that allows me to take a video - review it- and then take a snap shot from the video- the descriptions of the camera don't specify this feature. I have had a Samsung-but prefer a Kodak and need a new camera.

I would recommend you to buy Nikon Coolpix S4000 Nikon's Coolpix S4000 creates touching memories by combining 12.0 effective megapixels, 4x wide-angle Zoom-Nikkor glass lens and an amazing 3.0-inch High Resolution HVGA (460k-dot) touch-panel LCD with sensitive touch. The Coolpix S4000 also features HD (720p) movies for high quality movie recording. The Coolpix S4000, with Nikon's EXPEED image processing concept, 4-way VR Image Stabilization System and Smart Portrait System enables you to get incredible pictures, incredibly easy. Nikon's Scene Auto Selector automatically analyses the scene you are taking and adjusts the scene mode for you. All you have to do is compose, then touchYou can check out more detailed review for Nikon Coolpix S4000. http://hubpages.com/hub/Nikon-Coolpix-S4000-12-MP-Digital-Camera
0helpful
4answers

If I buy a used camera do I need the cd-rom to upload the pic takened by the camera to my cpu

I would recommend you to buy Nikon Coolpix S4000 Nikon's Coolpix S4000 creates touching memories by combining 12.0 effective megapixels, 4x wide-angle Zoom-Nikkor glass lens and an amazing 3.0-inch High Resolution HVGA (460k-dot) touch-panel LCD with sensitive touch. The Coolpix S4000 also features HD (720p) movies for high quality movie recording. The Coolpix S4000, with Nikon's EXPEED image processing concept, 4-way VR Image Stabilization System and Smart Portrait System enables you to get incredible pictures, incredibly easy. Nikon's Scene Auto Selector automatically analyses the scene you are taking and adjusts the scene mode for you. All you have to do is compose, then touchYou can check out more detailed review for Nikon Coolpix S4000. http://hubpages.com/hub/Nikon-Coolpix-S4000-12-MP-Digital-Camera
0helpful
3answers

I am buying a Canon SD970 IS digital camera. What

I would recommend you to buy Canon PowerShot SX210IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 14x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD. Decidedly slim and sleekly refined, the PowerShot SX210 IS packs a feature set that reads like a wish list. The 14.1 Megapixel CCD joins a 14x 28mm Wide-Angle Zoom for imaging power to spare. Frame your shots in the bright 3.0-inch widescreen PureColor System LCD, with the Low Light mode for sharp images in dimly-lit situations. It also captures stunning HD movies with Dynamic mode for enhanced image stabilization when shooting movies using wide-angle settings. Capture smooth HD video (720p) with stereo sound for a truly natural, high-quality HD experience. The PowerShot SX210 IS not only goes wherever you do, but takes your photography and video to a whole new place, too. You can check out more detailed review for PowerShot SX210 IS http://hubpages.com/hub/Canon-PowerShot-SX210IS-Digital-Camera
0helpful
4answers

Nikon S210- Coolpix 8.0-Megapixel Digital Camera - I want to buy this model...please can you help me out to buy it.

I would recommend you to buy Nikon Coolpix S4000 Nikon's Coolpix S4000 creates touching memories by combining 12.0 effective megapixels, 4x wide-angle Zoom-Nikkor glass lens and an amazing 3.0-inch High Resolution HVGA (460k-dot) touch-panel LCD with sensitive touch. The Coolpix S4000 also features HD (720p) movies for high quality movie recording. The Coolpix S4000, with Nikon's EXPEED image processing concept, 4-way VR Image Stabilization System and Smart Portrait System enables you to get incredible pictures, incredibly easy. Nikon's Scene Auto Selector automatically analyses the scene you are taking and adjusts the scene mode for you. All you have to do is compose, then touchYou can check out more detailed review for Nikon Coolpix S4000. http://hubpages.com/hub/Nikon-Coolpix-S4000-12-MP-Digital-Camera
Not finding what you are looking for?

1,188 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Crafts & Hobbies Experts

xxxxxx xxx

Level 3 Expert

5117 Answers

ADMIN Andrew
ADMIN Andrew

Level 3 Expert

66963 Answers

Carolyn Rogers

Level 2 Expert

159 Answers

Are you a Craft and Hobby Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Loading...