by Novella Creasman

Created on: September 28, 2009

I would like to start by telling you that I am a potter,painter and maker of masks. this said I will try to offer you some advice about clay throwing. It is not easy, in-fact it is impossible unless you have a desire to make a vessel with your hands. If you want to make a vessel via the wheel you must know a few things to start. First there are any number of classes that are available if you live in a fairly large city.

But short of that and you want to go on your own, the first thing you need is the wheel. Try to purchase second hand if possible,any ceramic supply store can help you with that. You should know up front that making anything on a wheel is not something that you do when you just happen to have a minute. You have to practice and it takes a lot of practice. OK now you have a wheel, next you need clay,I would suggest a low fire white clay (cheap as you can find). The ceramic store you use will have a beginners bag for potters, it is all you need,cost around 18.00. You really should give this some thought while at the ceramic store, buy 6 wheel bats. Why 6, well that is about all you will be able to do and find a place to sit them to dry. Some will tell you that you don't need these you can just cut the thrown piece off the wheel or the one bat you purchased. How ever if you ever plan to make a piece that you even think your very best friend will sit on their furniture you best go ahead and get those 6 bats. I have been throwing pots as they say for 16 years and am now the proud owner of an even dozen bats.

Ok thats a wheel, some clay(50 lbs thats enough to start) and 6 bats and a bag of utensils.You need a place for the wheel,out of the weather. Bear in mind that you will need water and a goodly some, it is not just for smoothing the way to the top of a vessel, you need to clean up after each session. I have a cellar, with running water. You need a plastic empty butter cup. You will need a board covered with old rags(husbands under shirts). This board can be a cutting board, staple the rags smoothly to the board, tuck errant pieces underneath.

Now we begin, fill the butter cup with water,in the bag of utensils you brought is a sponge, drop it in. Open one of the bags of clay from the 50 lb box, you should have a wire for cutting a piece of clay, do so. Sorta small(I use my kitchen scales) about a pound will do nicely.Place the clay on the covered board, at this time you kneed the clay sorta like you would yeast bread. just a little tho, you do not

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